Been shopping.

You know, crafter type shopping.  Went for some peel offs with "christening" on, came back with 2 sets of stamps, 6 metres of ribbon, Gorjuss decoupage, Forever Friends decoupage and a |Tim Holtz paper distresser.  My demonstration of total lack of control puts my chocolate addiction into perspective.  I can believe it or not say no to chocolate.  But crafy bargains?  It was the remains of the Hobbycraft sale and they still have some great reductions .  No pictures today though I am too busy watching TV as we've been without Sky for a couple of days so no Create and Craft ( missed the latest Polka Doodles) and no craft programmes in my planner.

Catcha later

New forum

I joined Crafts on the net yesterday, why? when I hardly have time to keep up with Do crafts and Craft bubble.  It is different though, especially the monthly challenge where members vote for the winners.
This is the card I entered. 

I decided to have a go at the Hougie and follow the guidance for a stepper card.  I was easy I must admit but I had to focus on the card not slipping.  Still not keen on that slippy plastic. I got the decoupage at Dainty Toys, it a bit of a cross between invertage and decoupage.  Cute image, I also bought the "chocolate girl"  I might as well use chocolate on cards as I'm back on the diet!!! I kept the maroon and green theme going with the ribbon and card for matting and layering.  The ever useful Paula Pascual stamps were used for the greeting and the flowers are what remains of an old pack of foam stickers. Obligatory orange card candy to contrast.  Hope you like.
Catcha later.

Our house...in the middle of our street

I was humming that tune whilst I was making this card.  Madness in more ways than 1.

Much as Polka Doodles always fills my head with colour and contrast I opted for only 1 main colour on this one.  I wanted to play with my squidgy tube of acrylic paint which has been hidden away for many moons (since I was tempted to play with canvass....in my dreams!)  So I stamped the gorgeous residences (masking as appropriate) and painted in the doors and windows with the acrylic.  I added titchy black gems for the handles.  I then stamped 2 houses on acetate, stippled the gold acrylic on the back and then put it in a scalloped frame.
My Paula Pascual flower stamps came today.  I now have a burning need to buy circular punches to fit the stamps, but will use nesties and what I have already to save money.  But I can see it happening.  Looks like we're of to Harrogate in March if there's enough to fill a mini bus otherwise I'll have to break out the Satnav.
I have no plans for Saturday so am going to spend at least half a day playing.
Catcha later

Carnation ribbons

Or should that be ribbon carnations.  I must admit I bought them with a view to working out whether I could make them.  It seems to be an emerging trend to have quite dense ribbon blooms on cards at the moment and not just paper ones.  So I used some freebies from one of the mags: think it was the lovely Quick cards....and it was quite simple.  I knotted some satin ribbon and put the carnations in between the knots, and associated them with an oriental design as carnations are popular in all sorts of oriental art work. It's very basic, but sometimes it's nice to do a quick and easy.  I think the nieces would like it.
Got a new follower today: so pleased to have you following Hyper Ni.  I emailed you but this is just a more public thank you.
I am going to use this in the Ribbon Girl challenge, even though the other entries seem a little more complicated and sophisticated ,Hey Ho!
Catcha later

Word therapy

I was inspired when I saw the latest challenge on Wild Orchid crafts, as it was simply about the sentiment.  I started making cards because I wrote a poem and drew a picture of a friend who over indulged in alcohol one night and left the contents of his stomach in someone's garden.  I then did a card with a drawing and poem for someone going to serve in Iraq...and the rest is history.  I looked to card making initially as a way of conveying a message, I had a stamp made called Word therapy, and I love trying to find the words to suit the recipient's situation or even write something myself ( this usually means comic verse).  It puts my English degree to good use, trying to find appropriate sentiments, particularly for sympathy cards.  We sometimes forget the words, but they can be as important if not more so than the card, with no disrespect to the effort that goes into making the card. So this is the card I made:

It's Bo Bunny paper, nesties and Polka Doodles sentiments.  The main die is a Hello Kitty heart.  The flowers are from my collection from Wild Orchid crafts.  Added a few peel off corners, pink floral peel offs and some sequins and confetti.
This is for the Wild Orchid challenge blog:http://www.wildorchidchallenge.blogspot/

More Pizza than Pie

I just knew it.  I return to work and find it so difficult to get time for crafting.  I managed it before I had a break so I think I've just been spoiled having so much extra free time.  Today I browsed some blogs and found that I have won my first ever challenge blog entry, with Polka Doodles.  I can't explain my excitement, I'm feeling soooo happy today. It's so great as I just love their products and I can't wait for my Blinkie.
This is my next challenge entry: it was to follow a sketch and make a card in red, white and blue suitable for UK/USA.  My idea was to use pies from the Sundae CD and have used an American Pie (pumpkin) and a UK pie (apple)  In addition to this I would use thanks as the sentiment in basic format but also add the word GIVE to tie it in with Thanksgiving.  However, I think it's more Pizza than Pie with all the toppings, but I like Pizza.

It's made with papers and coloured and B&W stampies from the CD.  I pleated a border with added Martha punch, die cut some hearts and added Sue Dreamer rub on letters and used gingham to look like american country style.  My favourite thing of the mo is Pebeo touch dimensional paint for the dots as they feel all rubbery.  Oooooh! Shiver.
I'm a crafty fired up now, so will make sure I used my weekend appropriately.  By the way, I'm not too pleased with the Hougie, it's made with slippy plastic so my card moves when I'm scoring it.  Wish I'd got the Martha Stewart one.
Catcha later, I'm off to Durham for a relaxing mooch around Waterstones and some dinner.
 

Bit of a "Do"

Have some of the new Do crafts birdy goodies.  I have the lovely tree stamps and some of the complementary papers.  I think I'll get some real use out of these.

The tree is stamped onto nestie and distressed, coloured with pencils  and then highlighted with some white Pebeo touch, which is my favourite thing at the moment. I've covered the inside with complimentary paper so that the bird shows alongside the sentiment.  The little bird is a die from the Girls Paperie.  The tree stamp is so pretty and versatile, I need to try it with gems.
It's a sad day for me,  I am back to work tomorrow after recovering from my op and I have so enjoyed some me time However one needs money to spend on the craft so it's a cross I shall have to bear.  I can see less blogging but am aiming to post at least twice a week.
Catcha later

OTT

I was having a conversation with my friend yesterday about cards and whether simple is better.  I do have a tendency I must admit to want plenty of embellishment on my cards, and I think it's reflected in the cutsie trend at the mo: the one with the cute stamp plus pretty paper plus ribbon plus flowers plus a charm and a sentiment.  I admit, I love to see and make these pretty cards,there are some absolute stuuners (people put so much effort into them and they become such keepsakes. On reflection I don't think it's about simple versus detailed, it's more about what you like and what people like to receive, I think for me it's being able to make a card for a person tailored to them, that's what floats my boat as it were, and otherwise for more general cards I like to have a go at techniques whilst bearing in mind, what's hot at the moment.
So this one is a little OTT, I messed with it, changed it, added stuff, took stuff off, but I wanted uber girlie.

It's a Tilda stamp (secretive Tilda) with a mouth drawn in!.  Magnolia rose paper, and a magnolia rose made from a Paper Artsy grunge flower die, black magic core card, embossed, MIC roses and a Paula Pascual sentiment.  Tilda was Promarkered.  It is rather OTT but i thought for a Mam from a child it would me quite sweet.  The rose is a bit dimensional so I will have to make a box.  It's Saturday night, have a nice tagine on the go and a bottle of wine opened, this will help me enjoy the poor offerings on the TV.
Did see Sheana's show on C and C, the stamps are on my list, especially Busy doing nothing but no more pocket money this month.  Oh and I got my Hougie, so looking froward to some crafty play.
Catcha later

Love is

Sharing your craft space.  I have a room converted in the loft.  It looks like this:

I have to share it with this:

I could so fill this space but fortunately it forces me to be disciplined.  I will not encroach (yet).  No crafting today, I've been pottering about Bishop Auckland, met my friend Joan for lunch and had a nice drive home.  it was a lovely afternoon, I just enjoyed a bit window shopping, picked up a bit ribbon and lace.
My Hougie board arrived but no one was at home so I have to pick it up at the delivery office tomorrow, really annoyed that it wasn't left at the local post office.  Never mind.  Excellent customer service from Joanna Sheen though, I shall definitely order from there again.
Catcha later

my nemesis

For Sherlock Holmes, it's Moriarty: for Harry Potter, it's Voldemort.  For me it's oriental cards.  I just can't seem to get the style right.  And I love to see oriental art work.  I have one of Joanna Sheen's CD roms as all the colours would match, and no real hard work, but other than the basic styles, I just couldn't hack it.  But I am not a quitter so I go back to the oriental now and again. So this is the result.

 I used some oriental scrapbook paper from a QVC kit (think it's American crafts and simply added a Mei flower orchid, bamboo peel offs and a sticker from a local gift shop called Momjii. It's the best I can do given my mental block.  What doesn't show well is the mount behind the liitle girl.  It's a Paper Artsy grunge flower die cut,from a gold flecked material.  It's reflective and makes the card look more luxurious.  Still I did like the outcome and will try it again with some of the silver material I also have.
Just ordered a Hougie, to get into more shaped cards.  Just waiting for postie now.
Catcha later

Intention versus inspiration

I got up today with the intention of making a card with my new Gorjuss stamp.  It was there, this is what I would do.  The trouble is that I had no idea what design or papers to use.  So I tried to just find something.  This is the result.  I was not happy as I just added piece after piece with no real outcome in mind.

It's using some 12x12 I had with corresponding paper at top to make it look like an envelope I added a Prima flower and some paper roses from Wild Orchid crafts.  Made some springs from waste paper and added a couple fo embellishments from Cratwork cards and Girls Paperie.  I alsoa dded a bit of my latest mini pom pom ribbon.  It just doesn't gel for me but isn't bin worthey either.
I watched a bit C and C and browsed a few craft mags, so after lunch  tried again, this time with an idea and design in my head, inpired by some cards in the mag.  I got out most of what i needed to make the card as opposed to having to seek the next element out.  This is the result and I am so much more comfortable with it.

It's K and Co paper, bird and cage die cut, ping and green ribbon (it looks black here) I punched out the flowers and added Pebeo touch to the centres for dimension.  The corners are punched with Martha Stewart.  It illustrated for me, my creative process. I need to plan and be in the right frame of mind because despite good intentions, I feel happier with the results when I take a more structured approach.  Maybe this conflicts with the idea of creativity but it's the way it works for me.  I now need to get better photos as these don't capture the colours very well at all
Catcha later

A trip to the Scrapbook shop.

This is in Durham.  It's not somwhere I pass often so today I decided to go and see what their latest stock is like. It's scrapbook focused and has a huge range of papers, but it's also stocking a nice range of stamps, embellishments and Do crafts goodies.  I didn't need anything and was just looking for inspiration to get back into the scrapbooking, but some stuff jumped into my basket.

I got some lush Bo Bunny and Basic Grey papers, in the "too good to use" category, a Hello Kitty heart die cut (reduced in the sale) and a lovely Tim Holtz edge die of a picket fence, which will be so useful.  Also picked up a Gorjuss stamp and some travel theme scraps to add to cards and scrapbooks.  Couldn't resist some of their lovely ribbon too.  The teeny pom poms are dinky and the elasticised stripey ribbon will sew onto cardstock well.

In amongst this unnecessary spree, I had a chat about Gorjuss and Tilda stamps. Particularly their lack of mouths.  Niece number 1 has a particular aversion to Tilda because of this and finds her very strange. They are quite peculiar looking I must admit although it hasn't stopped me buying a couple of them.  Gorjuss are a bit more trendy and acceptable to niece number 1.  However, the answer to this is to draw on a mouth.  I had never even thought of this!  Doh!

New season

This is my card for the Crafters companion blog challenge.  The theme is NEW so I opted for new season as I am spending so much time wishing for spring.  The weather is so very miserable and to cap it all I am back at work next week.  Fully recovered form Op but will miss all of this lovely crafting time.  Never mind,  I'll fit it in somehow.

OK: it's a SWALK stamp, die cut ribbon border and frame, ribbon, Sue Dreamer stickers.  Image is coloured with waterclour pencils and chalk. Card candy has been added to the corners.
Shameless starts again tonight so I'm off to indulge. It's a bit late so I'm not very chatty at the moment, done no crafting today but had some great fun with nieces baking muffins and lemon biscuits.
Happy crafting all

Whadya know

Just knew it.  I managed the link to the challenge but inserted a photo of me.  At least the link works though.  Lesson learned.

The easy bit

This is for my first challenge: Wishes: Polka Doodles of course.  I can do this bit, upload the photo and describe the card.  The fun will start when I have to link it to the challenge.
Anyway: it's a large A4 sie, gatefolded opening.  Polka doodles paper and picket fence, birdhouse Polka doodles images plus plant tabs and sentiment.  As the theme is wishes, I have added 3 plant tabs.  The aim is to offer the recipient 3 wishes, eg doing the washing up or ironing!.  Would probably make a good pick me up card or a mother's day card.  I have added some flower gel embellishments and eyelets, tied with baker's twine and beads. I've finished off the edges with a Martha Stewart punch.  It's a bit busy but I like it.

Ooh some lovely stash

My Polka Doodles order came today.  The stamps go without saying are fab and I can't wait to use them, pthe sentiments will be so useful.  I also ordered some of their baker's twine in cappuchino and pink sorbet.  It'll be a nice change from ribbon. Also got some of that pom pom ribbon, which isn't inspiring at the moment but that's just because i haven't figured how to fix it onto a card yet.
Today's card is very simple, making use of some free papers, a pretty flower, brad and sequin plus a Do crafts embossed frame.  I love these because their shapes are quite intricate, so they really make a focus on the card.  Anyway, it's another pretty pretty one.  Will go bolder tomorrow for my first blog challenge!
Catcha later.

Shopping

I've been following a thread on one of the forums about the perception that making your own cards is cheap when crafters know that it's just an excuse to buy more stash. There's nothing money saving about card making because we can't resist all the goodies out there, even the bargain one's.  Given my determination not to buy the Polka Doodles multi buy and my weakness in giving in to my need, I thought it was about time I created a card in honour of shopping. OK so I haven't rotated it and I confess I am not sure how to do it.  I used a Born to shop stamp, glittered some grunge stars and added a bow and handbag charm.

Small is beautiful

I've been mooching around on the net today and had a peek at tome of the Splitcoaststampers videos and Two peas in a bucket.  In the US, there still appears to be a focus on samller cards, where we in the UK have been usng the bigger sizes.  So today I decided to go small and made a 4" by 4" card.   I also challenged myself to use scraps and freebies.  This is the result.  I am pleased with it as it's pretty but not too sickly, and once again I used my free do crafts papers (believe me i do have a room full of stash also)
I also have a CONFESSION:  I gave in and ordered the Polka Doodles stamps and some of their lovely twine and pom pom ribbon.  I am sure my fellow crafters will forgive me.

Have a good day folks! 

A pair of slippers

I just had to add this photo of my sister's dogs, Combat and Blitz.  They are so naughty but are taking a well deserved rest and I thought they looked like a big pair of hairy slippers.  One for the scrapbook I think.

I made a quick card yesterday with some free papers and decoupage from Do Crafts.  Their range is fantastic at the moment and I can't resist their papers and cute stamps.  This just uses up a few papers combined with a die cut frame.

I am off now to watch a bit TV and try to take my mind off the new Polka Doodles multi buy I watched this morning (Sky plused yesterday ) I need them but really shouldn't..... 

Why oh why, Bilberry Pie

I chose the name for nostalgic reasons.  It's to do with crafts and skills, no longer freely practised.  I remember learning to sew,knit, crochet,cook and bake, write letters.  I remember family making jam and chutney. It just doesn't happen so often now, that's why the crafting community is so great and why I like to see the crafts people enjoy. I remember bilberries, and you rarely see or hear of them now.

I've added a photo of a card I made today.  The photo isn't too good, the card's much better in real life.  But I wanted to use my Do crafts quilling die and was inspired by Paula Pascual's off the edge ideas.  It's quite plain, which I rarely do. 

Progress

At last and thanks to some great advice from a member of the Craftbubble forum (Kathy K) I have managed to insert my bog link into my signatures.  I also intend to follow Babyfreckles advice and try to get involved in some challenges.

First challenge today is to upload the photo of Lacey's card.   I could really do with investing some quality time with niece number one who will I am sure be able to get this looking a little more interesting.  Anyway, the card:
Phew, it worked.  I used Dovecraft paper, Sissix Hello Kitty embosslit, Card candy and some foamy flowers I bought in one of the pound shops a while ago.  Very touchy feely.
Feeing a little pleased with my progress today (simple things...they say).   Am now going to link to some blogs to follow including some of the Craftbubble forum members and my faves: Paula Pascual and Bev Rochester
Catcha later

It's all about the recipient

Made a card for my little niece Lacey today.  My first one of 2011.  I'll photogragh it tomorrow and post it.  It made me think about the process of making a card for someone specific and how you can really tailor it to the person.  Lacey loves Hello Kitty, hence the use of the embosslit, but she loves mooching through my craft room and loves the card candy, so I had to put some on for her. It's a bit busy, but the sort of thing little girls love, loads of pink and glitter. Feeling quite pleased that I also managed a bit recycling on this one, by using up my Liz Earle gift packaging:it was too pretty to throw away.

Start as you mean to go on

Well at least I have managed to do something today. It's resolution day so after putting away the tree and all the decorations, here goes:
Not to make so many cards.
To make more backgrounds and use some of the arty stash.
To do more scrapbooking
To buy more generic goods
To blog at least once a week and enlist teenage niece support to make blog look "mint"

I will put a photo of my first make on here when I've made it, still not got much motivation afyter the op and Xmas, but will have to make one for niece's birthday on 11.1.11.
New stash: from the Glitter Pot and Strikes: couple of Magnolia stamps, 2 punches (circles) so I can make good use of my Paul Pascual stamps, do crafts quilling die and paper artsy grunge flower die.
Didn't rate the the TV craft sales much, but some great bargains to be had on line.
Well off to watch Anna Marie on Create and Craft (love her templates.
Happy 2011 everyone,  I hope it's peaceful.