Scraplings!

I'd never heard of these but having wandered onto Paula's blog (very talented friend!) I was struck with the urge to join in on her first DCM challenge and use if those scraps of cardstock and at the same time, raid my little box of bits I'd started making ages ago and never got finished! The first example isn't the suggested shape but does use old scraps so qualifies on more then one count and the second was an image I stamped and coloured a long time back but was not too keen on the image so having stamped it it didn't get used...at least I've used it now!

For my little sister...

I always find it a challenge to create with girls in mind as pink and cute isn't really my style, but my smallest sister reached the grand old age of 12 yesterday (yes, a huge age difference given that I am 40!) and she loves animals and all things girly! She was absolutely delighted, amazed and inspired, which I take as a great compliment! I spotted a challenge to incorporate glitter on a card so have entered Cute Card Thursday's site (couldn't work out how to leave a comment though - sorry...new to it!)

Autumn hues...

Two blog entries in as many days! I've been a bit under the weather but what better excuse to substitute house work with art work! I've been on a blog wander too and discovered a challenge on Gingersnap Creations so entered! Evident that my new images inspire me?....More to come!

Be Unique....

I loved creating this! The image is so opulent and seemed the perfect excuse to go over the top a little with silk ribbons, lace, glitter and crystals. I read that a blog new, to me: Dezinaworld have a challenge to incorporate lace into a piece of work so have joined in. Also see that Theme Thursday has the theme 'Faces' this week and as the face of this image is so striking I have entered that too! The sparkle doesn't show too well on the first photograph but hopefully you can see it a little better on the close up... I also have a simple project in this month's Craft Stamper, as usual, due to publisher's rules I am unable to show the complete project so here's a snippet of it!

A very sad day

I made this card for a very special friend of mine, who today will be honouring a very special friend of his. Sergeant Mike Lockett was tragically killed in action in Afghanistan on Monday 21st September and was flown back to the UK this morning. His coffin will pass through the town of Wootten Bassett en-route from RAF Lyneham to Oxford today at 1.30pm. Crowds are expected to line the streets. I didn't know Sergeant Lockett but clearly he was a true hero and my thoughts are with his family, friends and my darling friend, Hank xxx You can read more about Sergeant Lockett here

A story to tell...

...We all have one of course. Sometimes happy, sometimes sad and occasionally, just plain funny...like the fact that the revolving glass door entrance to a rather posh London establishment broke down last week, leaving me stuck in the middle like a goldfish in a bowl! I know....it could only happen to me! Ah, well...

A little wedding gift

Popped in to dust the old place off!...I haven't been too creative over the last few months and what little I art I have completed is magazine work so can't share it here. I am also very out of touch with blogs and need to catch up and see what everyone's been up to! In the meantime, this morning I stumbled across this tutorial to make an apple from an old book. I thought it was ingenious and decided on a whim to make something similar, so I made a pear and then wondered what to do with it? As I am going to a wedding in a couple of weeks decided it'd be novel to add a tag with a play on words and create a box framed picture. To ensure that the pages remain spread open I have sprayed them with strong hold hairspray! It was difficult to photograph due to the glass on the frame so I have taken a shot out of the frame also, to show the detail a little better. Please click on the pictures if you wish to enlarge them. I loved making this and am now on to project two....so amazingly, you'll see another post from me soon!

You know you're a stamping addict when....

...You go out wearing a spot of Ranger Archival and your favourite rubber! Last night's fancy dress costume... I did Bollywood for a friend's 40th birthday party! I wore an amazing green sari (which sadly doesn't really show in the photo)and wanted to create 'mehndi', otherwise known as decorative henna tattoo, to complete the look so decided to stamp myself! Normal people wouldn't even consider that of course! Please excuse the dodgy photo quality but you get the idea! Stamps by Paper Inspirations and available from LB Crafts! ;)

Quintessentially English

I have a couple of articles in Craft Stamper again this month...Can't believe I decided to decorate an entire tea set! Here's a snippet of that article though it doesn't show the tea set - you'll have to buy the magazine to see that! I also created a set of wedding stationery in aubergine and cream, of course with the obligatory glitter and finished with pearls. I took part in the Stamping contrasts challenge using Kelly Panacci Damask stamps, which I adore and are a dream to stamp with! Again a little snippet of it... Congratulations Isa on a wonderful cover piece! The Craft Stamper web site has had a make over too and the new look is great! Do have a look here! As always it seems, apologies for my lack of online time or comments...Life is in the way and I need more hours in the day!

A rather colourful impulse buy!

...Not often I shop! I know most women love nothing better than a day spent on retail therapy but I personally can think of nothing worse! But, ocassionally I pop into the TK Maxx store (a designer sale store with a very eclectic mix of home furnishings, clothes and other things, for those who aren't aware) just a couple of miles away. Over the last few years I've bought some really beautiful and unusual things for my home and today, I bought a rather mad hand bag! I was paying for something else when I glanced across and this riot of velvet colour just grabbed me! I ran over and returned to add it to my purchases! Very impulsive buying but I just love it!!! A 'Red or Dead' handbag, as you'll see from the very clever handles incorporating the R and D! It was a fraction of the original price and even if you don't like it, you can't help but notice it and smile?!

Chick Chick Chick Chick Chicken....and piglet meets his end

Rumaging around in my craft room the other day I found some chunky wooden blanks that I bought whilst in the states a few years ago. I am guessing not many people return from their Florida holiday with a suitcase of wooden chickens but none the less...! :) I've been meaning to decorate one for ages so, desperate to make something just for fun this weekend, I decided to paint one myself and offer another, along with some other bits and bobs as a little prize for a weekend forum challenge. Anyway, here's my chicken wall hanging! The 'nest' is a recycled slide in card wallet and the tag fits in behind the chicken to present as a gift. You can see more detail by clicking on the picture to enlarge it. I decided to take the photos on my huge oak kitchen shelf but to my horror, discovered that another resident of the shelf had keeled over! A case of swine flu perhaps?...

Craft Stamper sneak peeks...

Time for some more Craft Stamper work...I have two projects in this coming issue (on sale this Friday, 3rd April). The above feature uses gorgeous stamp sets by Paper Inspirations and available from L.B. Crafts and they're beautiful! I was also invited to take part in this month's stamping contrasts challenge using delicate little wildflower stamps from Crafty individuals... Hope you enjoy this issue!

Everything's coming up roses!

Again, I've been a little lapse in posting here (or indeed anywhere, so I look forward to finding a moment to catch up with friends!), but...as the title suggests, things are on the up! I have stamped the images onto a linen weave card stock to give a shabby chic look... It's been a tough time with one thing and another and redundancy really didn't help. Thank goodness for friends! I have every sympathy for any of you who may be faced with a similar situation in this present climate, as it really does test a persons spirits. But, I am delighted to say that I have been offered a great new opportunity and am really enjoying it! I adore this stamp set from SU and you can expect to see more of it very soon in a rather nice stamping magazine! ;) Edit to add, yes Sue, I've pleated the striped paper (which is actually grey but maybe doesn't show too well in the photo). Thanks for the lovely comments!

Lana does.....cute!

No...you didn't mis read that! As friends know, I very rarely use cute stamp images, but having got back in contact online with an old school friend recently after very many years I was sad to learn that her daughter is going through a tough time with some serious operations and so wanted to surprise her with a cheerful girly card! I made a simple cardstock wallet to put it in as a nice presentation touch. I also completely forgot to post a sneek peek of my current project in Craft Stamper magazine, which is well worth a look this month and special congratulations to Sharon for not only a beautiful article but also being the cover girl! Here's a little snippet of my project... and finally thank you to Denise for the 'Kreativ Blogger II' award recently - much appreciated! As I have been very lapse in blogging lately I shall simply pass on the sentiments behind this to all those with whom I need to catch up!

Smile!

I just figured it all out!!! :) Even though things aren't always right in life, sometimes surprisingly, nice things happen...like the phone will ring and on the other end is someone who makes you just laugh till you ache and that's what it's all about!!! I've just taken a crash course in laughing and feel so much better that I wanted to share a smile or two! :) So, to those of you who make me laugh (you know who you are! ;) ), thank you x

A sneak peek and a few wishes...

I'm delighted to have my second project for Craft Stamper magazine published just in time for the New year and on sale 2nd Jan 2009! Thanks to Isabelle for inviting me to join her to launch the magazine's new sketch challenge feature (although Katy did chuckle when my initial response was something like 'Eeek, you want me to do pink and conformity?!' haha!) Funny thing is, I loved making this project and it just goes to show that sometimes we need to push ourselves to try new things...here's a sneak peek... Huge thanks to everyone who has visited here over the last year and taken a moment to comment and I wish you all a Very Happy New Year!

Season's Eatings!

...Couldn't resist the title! Seasons Greetings to you all, I hope that you're enjoying a peaceful and happy holiday. As some of you know, I love to cook and following the success of last year's Christmas hampers made for the family I've done it again! This time, I've made a different selection of preserves and treats including cranberry vodka, orange and whisky marmalade, lemon and ginger marmalade, brandy mincemeat, Christmas Chutney, prunes in port and Beaujolais, pickled onions, raspberry vinegar, spiced conference pears and my favourite, spiced peaches! The kitchen was filled with wonderful aromas and then as a bonus I got to have fun decorating the finished jars! Wednesday stamper invites us to share our latest project and finally I have a little motivation back to craft so it's great to participate!

Baby it's cold outside!

It's been that long since I posted that winter's upon us!... Firstly, heart felt thanks to everyone who's contacted me to see if I was okay as I wasn't blogging. I was very touched by your kindness in what's been a very difficult few months having gone through a relationship break up, unexpected redundancy and family bereavement one after the other. Hopefully, things will look up soon but in the meantime, I have decided that life's too short not to craft so here's a little update and it's all cheery stuff! I was recently invited to design for Craft Stamper magazine and was delighted to join the talented team - thanks Katy! My first article appears in the Jan 09 issue, on sale 5th December and so the photo above is a sneak peek of my feature and below, the cover! Last but by no means least, a little shout out for a very talented artist and friend, who's blog if you haven't visited, is just beautiful and worth popping over to see! Huge congratulations Christine for your your stunning article in Stampington's Artful Blogging publication - and thanks too for mentioning me and mine in it! :) and thanks also to you for this... Here are the rules: 1. The winner may put the logo on their blog 2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award. 3. Nominate 5 blogs for the award. 4. Put links to their blogs. 5. Leave a message for your nominees. I will nominate (in no particular order!): Penny (Get blogging girl!) Chris Deb Sharon Nancy

Forever Autumn....

Okay so fall isn't quite here but summer here in the UK has been such a wash out (literally!) that I am looking forward to Autumn and really hoping that it brings dry crisp days and some much needed sunshine! I love autumn anyway...there's something very beautiful about the warm tones of gold and red and copper as the leaves drop and nothing beats walking in the woods on a crisp sunny day, the crunch of leaves underfoot and finding beautiful rich shiny conkers! They always make me smile as I remember family conker championships when I was just a kid and my grampy giving us tips on how to strengthen them with varnish and other tricks! Speaking of leaves, I've managed at last to join in with Mixed Media Monday! as the theme this week is recycled/repurpose and my leaves on this card are real but pinched from an enormous bowl of pot pourri that no longer holds any fragrance! My theme also fits with another challenge site that again is a first for me! Thank god it's Friday have 'women' as the theme this week and as this is one of my favourite female images I am joining in there too! As I have been singing the song that I've been using in the title of this post ever since I started it, here is a link to one of my favourite ever songs... And finally, thank you very much to Paula and Deb for this one... and thanks to Karen for this one... I am sure I just missed out on thanking someone else for one so apologies if it was you! I am going to take the lazy option this time as I have to get off of this chair and do some housework so I am going to just dedicate these to everyone who visits and whom I visit! I love all your blogs and enjoy both receiving and leaving comments! :) x

Surf's up! - Papertake challenge

I'm entering another newly discovered challenge site...the challenge this week on Papertake is to incorprate buttons! I've had a busy few weeks and so not had time to create anything (well, I have but nothing I can show here for the time being!) so I thought it was time I updated my blog and despite the dismal british summer what better way than with with a bright and cheerful card! The title for my last post would have suited this one too as it's so totally different from my usual style but I loved this stamp as it reminded me of fun summers spent camping and surfing (well, trying to! ;)...all the gear and no idea!) with friends in Croyde Bay, North Devon when I was in my early twenties...how time flies! I had fun making this , I think because it was so different for me but it felt fresh and exactly what I wanted it to! The eyelets punched as wheel trims made me chuckle but I felt they were right and they look great in a novel sort of way! Anyway, I made this for my brother in law who like me, used to be a bit of a wild child! Well, we can pretend we still are right?! lol Well, it's offical actually...according to my dear friend Penny I still am - she's awarded my the coveted 'Wylde Women' Award and heck, who am I to argue...thank you Penny! I really like this award actually as the logo is someone's real art (and I love this pice by Tammy!) and all the links back to the original source are a great idea! So,before I pass it on, here are the rules 1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post. 2. Link back to this blogsite (http://http://www.tammyvitale.com//) so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women.and remember the Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy. I am sending it, in turn to someone who not only is one of my most recently aquainted and dearly loved blog friends, but also happens to be an amazing talent! Christine. Thank you too Christine for the recent award for the brilliante web blog'! It doesn't matter that I'd already got it, just as I hope it doesn't matter that I send you this one! ;)