Tuesday 29 March 2011

Double trouble

I managed to get 2 cards made last night.  I eventually got some time to play with my new Polka Doodles Wonderland CD and stamps.  The papers are just beautiful and I'll use them for so many projects.  But my first challenge to myself was to try and use them on a Clean and Simple project for this weeks Less is More challenge, which is a sketch.  Does the grungy look lend itself to clean and simple: I don't know, it's not my concept, but I just wanted to try and marry 2 of my passions, Less is more challenges and Polka doodles products.



I used 2 of the papers from the CD with an overall blue hue, and I gessoed the edges of the papers as I wanted them to merge together and not have sharp edges.  I then coloured them with weathered wood distress ink and a misc blue dauber.I stamped and watercoloured the white rabbit and mounted him on a disc if paper showing the words Curioser and curioser.  I stamped these words off the page and added a fancy peel off to look like the rabbit's wach chain.

Card 2 is for the folllowing challenges:
Polka Doodles: stash stamp and Spring
Sketch and stash
Stamptacular

It uses the Wonderland papers again, mounted onto white card,  I have stamped the "Queen of hearts" from the Octopode factory and coloured her with pro markers.  I added a little crotcheted heart, made by my friends mam, and 3 playing cards.  Queenie is a bit scary which is why i think it's more suitable for an adults card (would scare the little girlies) and the colours are springlike and the card celebrates Polka Doodles spring collection launch.
Hell's teeth, need some tea
Catcha later

Sunday 27 March 2011

What a week!

It's been one of those, you work hard, have plans but achieve nothing.  Don't seem to have enough time for anything at the moment and everything just seems very haphazard.  i was asked to make some Mothers day cards on Thursday, with very few opportunities to sit down and do any crafting, but have squeezed in a bit time today amongst everything else.  I shall probably be talking to those in the know, but need to vent today.  So here's my very busy effort. I decide to use some stash decoupage for this one as I fancied doing something other than stamping for a channge.
I also did this one, but different colour ranges this time.  For all those lovely Mam's, Mum's and Mom's out there, if you have one, remind her how special she is, and celebrate her presence in your life everyday..

Similar, stash decoupage, paper flowers and gems with punched leaves and a gingham bow.
These are for the allsorts challenge blog: 

Catcha later.

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Going against the grain

It's a lovely sunny morning, probably won't last but it helps me wake up. I sometimes need to do the blog stuff this early so I can do all the other stuff when I get in from work.  Last night I was uninspired.  I got lots of new stuff at Harrogate but have't had a lot of time to sit and stroke it.  I did browse my new CD's.  The latest Polka doodles on will be great especially when I figure out how to use the alphabets. But when it came to making a card I was thinking about all those pretty pretty ones out there, all working to a similar recipe, you know the one: sweet Tilda type image, or LOTV or Stampavie type, pretty floral paper, pretty paper flowers, a piece of lace across the middle and a doily fitted in somewhere.  No disrespect,  I love them, make them and got the stamps but they've taken off so much thanks to the talents of Bev Rochester et al., that standards are amazingly high. It's nice to work to a different recipe as such which is why I like this challenge.
So I wanted to add something different into the mix for a change:
So the new items are the stamp (Queen of hearts, from Octopus?), pink organza roses from Mei, sugar dumpling papers from Art from the heart. The sadly neglected are the rub ons from American crafts which are in my scrapbook stash, very sadly neglected these days.  The ticket is from Tim Holtz.
This is for the Sketch and Stash challenge
Time for my cereal, catcha later

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Oh no, not another man card

You are absolutely right.  They are difficult to do, but to be honest I think it's because they also aren't as appreciated or valued as we might like.  I'll buy you a pint often goes down better than I've made you a unique, personalised card.  My OH knows how much I love cards.  Do I get one? Rarely! Never mind.  I did persuade him once that a handmade effort from him would be greatly appreciated and I got one, albeit opening the wrong way, but I do treasure it, for all that.
So here's the entry for this weeks Less is more.

It's some transport stamps by company forgotten, mounted on distressed nesties and over stamped with a little Prima stamp which I also used at the corners.  I have stamped the words to exit the nesties as if they were the train tracks. Opted for a cream base this time just for a change. I've been browsing through my new Polka Doodles CD's.  The new ones are out but are on C and C this Sat or Sun, so if you like a bit of in ya face stuff too, take a peek.
I'm going to link into the challenge now and have a look at some of the great entries.
Catcha later

Sunday 20 March 2011

Top of the pops

Happy Sunday everyone.  I was going to bemoan the state of my bank balance after the trip to Harrogate yesterday but ther's no good crying over spilt milk, right? I got some lovely stash mainly stamps and a few odds and ends including a chipboard skull to decorate.  Will upload the finished result at some point.  Lovely Lili stamps, and the new Polka Doodles Alice in Wonderland CD and stamps and some lush stuff from Little Claire.  Me and Joanie had a great day catching up and planning some makes for the fair in July. Joan's been making some hair slides and puppet cards and her lovely Mam has made me some crotcheted flowers to use on my cards.  They aren't cheap to buy.  Saw lots of the TV faces and showed the lovely Nikky from Polka Doodles my winning challenge entry this week.  They've got a great new resource CD out, haven't had time to browse it yet.   Great stalls, and it was packed to the rafters with great things.  But this is my top of the pops for great welcoming stalls.
Art from the Heart: super hip stuff and great people including the uber talented Diane Reavely
Little Claire's, lovely people and range of goodies
Polka Doodles: who else.  Nikky was very busy but still chatted to individuals
and finally and top of the pops was Sheena.  She had time for everyone, never stopped demonstrating and dropping in little anecdotes and truly encouraging crafters to believe in their abilities.  She demo'd some leaf painting for me and then gave me it as a souvenir.  Lovely lady.


Catcha later

Friday 18 March 2011

My sister's keeper

Have you seen that damn film.  I watched it tonight ,and cried until I gave myself a headache and my eyes are really scary.  If you haven't seen it, do NOT watch it.  I had a good day until then.  I came first in the Polka Doodles week 9 challenge.  I''m so chuffed and will see all their new goodies at Harrogate tomorrow.
Anyway back to that film:  it's about family relationships when the eldest child gets cancer.  It's Hollywooded up but still quite sensitively done.  But it did make me think about memories and how comforting they can be and I have decided to make my glitter globes (from Home bargains) into memory globes for the fair in July (in aid of Macmillan) The glittery stuff will be fond memories of loved ones.  It might be a bit soft but then again it might just capture someones imagination. I've been doing a few bits and pieces including notebooks, post it note holders and I've bought a cheap wooden heart to try and alter: so will definitely be visiting the Art from the Heart stall tomorrow. I've done a few cards and bought some union jack wrapping paper to decorate the table, and this is still 3 months away.
I did these for the Do crafts fundraiser for Cancer research, so need to find out my local shop.  It's amazing how much they raise and it costs mnimal funds to do just a few.  So go on have a go!
I am going to find something funny to watch on TV now and see if I have some cucumber in the fridge to soothe my red eyes.

Catcha later
 

Sunday 13 March 2011

Have a laff at my gaff

Aw man, I think I need to take a break.  I was so excited about having some freetime this weekend and doing more crafting than usual, my brain has gone into meltdown  I had my idea for the Less is More challenge this week: Off the page.  Got up early and got started.  I was quite pleased with the outcome:

So can you spot the gaffe.  Poodles smelling one anothers bottoms or near enough.  Ugh! So you all have permission to have a laugh and I challenge you all to think of a time, you've made a bit of a mistake in your card making, especially embarrassing ones: go on confess!
I'm still entering this as an example of what not to do with dog stamps (from Do Crafts) , Martha Stewart stamps and Promarkers.

Cards for Mothers day

This is often a bit too poignant for me and generally I don't make them.
The theme is Mothers day for the Crafts on the net March challenge and Flowers for this months Little Claire challenge  (http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-2-flowers.html ). It doesn't get any easier even after almost 23 years for this 47 year old not having a mother to share her grown up years with.  My Mam died just as I was settling into a job and enjoying my single years.  I was just enjoying the shopping trips with her, coffee in some nice cafes and generally loving her company, when she left us.  You get on with it, don't you, but at this time of year I should be looking forward to taking her out for lunch and treating her really well. The grief fades but the regrets don't.  So to all you people who have all lost a Mum, I hope you don't find making Mothers day cards too difficult.
Saying that, Crafts on the Net has recognised this and has expanded the theme to incorporate cards for lovely ladies as well as Mum's which I think is great.  I have made this for any girl/lady to send to any other important lady in their lives to let them know how much they mean.  The Little Claire theme is flowers which opens up such a world of possibility.
This is made with Do crafts Kraft card and  have added some red polka dot backing paper.  I used a Little Claire peel off (too often a neglected craft item I think) and coloured it with pro markers and decoupaged the pots.  Framed in Mirri and texturised so the frame is not smooth.
The main flower and leaves are made with a Little Claire die, which I use such a lot and I have punched others and added a few punched leaves.  Corners are punched with my new silhouette corner punch from Do Crafts.  I'm an early bird this morning and have taped the Tudors and some Clarity stamping, so coffee time it is and stuff the ironing!
Catcha later.

Saturday 12 March 2011

Doodle Poodle

I was inundated with happy memories when I was making this card for the Polka Doodles challenge this week. (Black and white plus one other colour).  It reminded me of an evening in Caen ( I lived there as a student studying French) This evening me and some friends went into a small Creperie in the old town for some liquid refreshment and a bite to eat.  It was a tiny place and you could just squeeze through the door when you were literally confronted by a small bar.  On this bar was seated a Pink male poodle with buck teeth.  It was the funniest and campest dog I have ever seen, but it was so lovely and clearly one of the attractions in addition to the cosy ambience.  So this is my tribute to Le Poodle.


It was made with some misc black and white paper (think it's Making Memories), the border and the sentiment label are Polka Doodles.  The frame is from Deb's crafty diecuts, and I stamped the sentiment with Martha Stewart alphabet stamps.  The dog looks like such a snob. The stamp is from the latest Do Crafts pampered pets and I just love them even though I don't usually opt for pets on my cards. My hubby thinks I'm barking, well they'll just never understand the craft!
Catcha later.
For Polka Doodles: http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/

Friday 11 March 2011

Thank crunchy it's Friday

Oooooh day off today.  Time to do some catch up.  I know housework might not be the most inspiring thing but I've been up since 6.30, done the bedroom, kitchen (including cleaning the Oven) washed and hoovered and dusted.  At least it's got me motivated.  I am going to have a ride out this afternoon and see if there are any new Do crafts products around, I'm after the vine corner punch as I think it will be so versatile.  I made this card last night, to suit a good luck situation for a young lady, eg leaving school, doing exams, off to uni or college. http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/   the Stamptacular Sunday challenge

It's Nitwit paper(bought at Harrogate last Sept), a bought die cut frame (from the Nissan craft show, Ii think it's Debs Dies), my new Debbie Moore fairy stamps,an EK success punch (from the Crafty Nook), a felt bird sticker (from the Works)and on old oddment of ric rac in the bottom of my ribbon drawer.  Card candy (from Craftwork cards )and gems for embellishment (from YAY the pound shop).  I saved the leaves from the punch and glitter glued them because I wanted the fairy to be wistful, thinking about the future.  The label and quote is Polka Doodles.  Hope you like.  Today other than crafting, I am going to attend to my greys, their time is over and I am going to tidy my craft shelves and hopefully discover more stuff festering somewhere.
Also I am co winner of the Feb challenge on crafts on the Net, which is linked to Practical Publishing.  The winners are voted for by members and there are some great prizes from the magazine.  Please have a look it's a friendly place

Catcha later

Tuesday 8 March 2011

The early bird

OMG, it's just turned 7am and I am blogging.  I must admit I am finding it increasingly difficult to blog and craft and comment and pass on blog awards.  I am going to do a rethink at the weekend, and work out my priorities.  I am doing this now as I really want to get this card on for the Polka Doodles challenge because it will always be one of my priorities because their products are so good.
Oh, my eyes aren't even working properly and I am trying to watch QVC crafting, drink tea and juggle this laptop at the same time.

So, the card.  It has to contain 3 handmade, not shop bought flowers.  I have used Polka Doodles papers from Sugar Birdies and Sundae of Seasons.  I enlarged the tree image and simply cut it out and added it to the card.  I made 3 flowers with the papers (printed on both sides) with my HOTP templates and added them to the trees.  Glitter glue, card candy and a MIC ladybird to finish this off.  It's bold and I hope very "Polka Doodles".
Time for breakfast
Catcha later

Monday 7 March 2011

Teenage rampage

This card is for the Allsorts challenge.  Having an almost teenage niece, I like to think I have an idea what they like.  They like me to back them up when their mother says no and attempt to change her decision on things, like having an expensive bag for school! Now this Auntie would have just given in an bought her it if her mother (my sis) wouldn't, but it's now out of production.  Whew family crisis averted.  Famous for moods, teenagers that is I think the Gorjuss girls bridge the gap between cute and slightly moody, so that's what I chose.
It's Gorjuss decoupage, with a Sissix hello Kitty heart die cut, plus embellishments.  Sorted for those liitle madams out there!
I also added some dewdrops in moody grey and some flowers from Wild orchid crafts. I'm hoping it's on trend so will get  Georgia's opinino at some point, which will probably be Ugh! she's got no mouth.
I'm off to watch a scary film and get over my lack of weight loss this week.  No more treats!
Catcha later

Sunday 6 March 2011

Pastels...it's a bit thin

I've been in the huff.  Twice I've typed out my post and twice Internet explorer has stopped working and it hasn't saved.  So this time I'm saving as I go.  Haven't been to blogland much this week, I am sometimes spending more time blogging and blog browsing than I am actually pursuing the craft, I can see it's going to be a bit of a balancing act.
The challenge for this week on Less is More, is pastels.  I started out with good intentions but it is on the borderline I think for meeting the challenge rules. http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/


I started with pastel friendly plastic, in pinks,blues and lavender and heated it, then ran my tweezers through it.  But that's when the black base starts to show!!!!So it's bolder than you would expect pastels to be. I added a couple of pastel gems and some punched hearts in pastel shade, covered with Glossy accents and stuck into the palstic before it dried. I filled in the gaps between some of the pieces with crystal glitter and added a teeny peel off. The background is just stippled lavener acrylic.
I did worry about it not meeting the rules but to be honest it made me think about my reasons for entering.  I'm not in it to win it, I'm in it to participate in the lovely little community that's building, and to learn from other crafters, and to give and receive some constructive feedback and generally just to pick up hints and tips.
So there it is, I'm still putting this one in, I'll still enjoy looking at the other entries, making comments and reading the comments I get in return.
Went to Durham yesterday and they had some birds of prey in the market square.  They were glorious, 2 owls, an eagle and a hawk.  Really beautiful.  Lacey had her photo taken with the cream owl and didn't even panic when it started flapping it's wings.
Got my Amazon delivery of the Frida Kahlo diary and paintings, plus the film Frida starring Selma Hayek.  She was an amazing artist with a fascinating life.  I am in awe.
Off to watch a bit C and C
Got a blog award yesterday from Lis. Please take a look at her fab blog . http://mycraftblogumentary.blogspot.com/
3 things about me: I studied French and English Literature at university. I have trained as a reflexologist.  I am addicted to chocolate.
I will be passing on the award shortly once I have browsed through my fellow bloggers sidebars.
Catcha later.