Struggling

I am so struggling to get any motivation due to this job situation.  I am trying to remain realistic, not too hopeful that I might be redeployed and pragmatic about the future.  Is it the worst thing that can happen---probably not.  But it's the not knowing and this colours everything at the moment.  So I have missed some of my favourite challenges lately, and I need to have some discipline because ultimately it's the crafting that makes me feel better and allows some stress free time.  So I gave myself a good talking to today, watched the launch of Dawn Bibby on Create and Craft (some great new products) and set about making a couple of cards.  This one is for Less is More (I am after all a Limette), whose theme this week is "square". 
I kept this one really simple:

It's a little smirk shaker topper, with a lurve theme.  My OH is in Las Vegas and this softie is missing him. And I've just added lots of basic layers, the last 2 of which are distressed with a Tim Holtz thingy.
So it is very simple but the topper was so sweet and the theme just begged for basic, for this Limette anyway.  I have set myself the objective of doing at least 2 stamped cards this week too as I am seriously neglecting my stamps.  Am going to order the Kaisercraft rub ons on C and C tas I can't yet get the hang of the computer text I see such fab examples of on the LIM site, but I am going to do some practice sheets and have bought some SAFMAT so I can save any good examples and print it off to use again.  Yeah right!
Catcha later, off to check out your blogs.

Tracey Emin makes jam

And enjoys sewing!  I was watching an interview with her this morning.  She has such interesting opinions on art and learning more about her creativtiy was fascinating.  But what was even better is that she makes jam and loves sewing.  I think this is just great, as although it's not art, it's about creating something, and that makes you feel something: good hopefully.  So does papercrafts, and many of us are involved in this hobby because we are not painters, artists, designers, but we can have a go at design and still create something unique, which gives pleasure to ourselves and others.  It gave me a bit motivation which has been lacking this week.  Without going into details, job's not safe, but need to hang in for a transfer somewhere else and hope the dreaded redundancy doesn't come along.  It's not happening imminently but probably next year.  So, not felt too good, but after listening to Tracey this morning, it gave me a bit of creative bounce back.  I tried out my new sewing machine on my card and have started a little stuffed heart; will post when finished.  I had bought a little hand held, which served it's purpose but made me want a proper machine.  Got me a basic Singer and am up and running.
So this is the creation, it will not be appearing in the Tate.

Free paper from a recent mag, matted, layered and sewn, some Forever Friends paper, Gorjuss topper, foam flowers with stick on crystals and a crocheted flower with pins.  I've got a day off today so am going to catch up on some blogs and forums.
Catcha later

All white on the night

The LIM challenge this week is white on white. That certainly leaves a lot of options open.  It took me ages of thinking and rethinking. Limited stamping, not a great deal of layering.  OK, so this leaves, texture, and plently of it.  I didn't want to do any embossing as it was my first idea and I wanted to try and come up with something different, but I couldn't.  So here's the obvious, die cuts and glitter.  Man have I got a creative imagination. Not!

OK, so die cut Sissix flourishes, die cut frames from Klever cutz, die cut butterfly by thingy, die cut quilled flowers by Papermania, die cut letters by Sissix, pearly things for the butterflies body, and some spray and sparkle on the letters and flourishes.
Exciting huh!  Can you tell I'm not in a good mood? And the damned card's probably the wrong shape.
Catcha later, folks.

Pull yourself together, woman.

I am sitting blogging and watching a recording of the Hotel Inspector instead of getting ready for work, so this is a short one. Back to Polka Doodles again, I took a break and now inspired by Nicky's appearances over the weekend, I am back in the zone.  So this is for the aqua, blue and lilac challenge.

All papers are from the Wonderland CD in appropriate colours and I have woven 2 of them for the second mat.  The image on the nesties is Violet from the Octopode factory.  Added paper flowers and ribbon flowers from Mei, a distressed tag from Tim Holtz and ribbon.  I overstamped the papers with a stamp from the Polka Doodles Alice set.
Catcha later.

Having some peace

It's a quiet day, no visitors, OH is golfing and I have time to craft and watch some TV.  Been leap blogging, some great blogs and talent..  Loving seeing some of the variety and ideas out there, it's amazing what people come up with.  Also doing some LIM comments, although there are so many entries, I feel a bit inadequate.  I try to do at least 20 comment from throughout the list, and I would love to do more but there are so many wonderful ones to choose from.  This week it's a bit of a free choice but with a congrats of thank you theme.  I've done 2:

This is my "reader "stamp.  In red stazon, and I wanted her to be in a garden, but that defeats the LIM/CAS approach, so I went for an abstract trellis from My Mind's eye Wild asparagus stamps. I put the congrats on a curve and paper pricked the border.  Thought it would suit a graduate.

 This is embossed with a GG board and the stamp is MME Wild asparagus again.  I added some white peel offs tot the bottom and round the frame.
Off to do more comments.
Catcha later

Howay the lads

We had a barbecue yesterday, it was a bit chilly but good fun. I thought I'd let you meet the lads:  Lad number one, my fly catching OH, Bobby.  He says he wasn't asleep.

And these are my adopted lads (belong to my sister, but she always had to share!)

Blitz and Combat. little Shih Tzu's. Sausage scroungers and burger nappers.

And considering this is a crafting blog, a card.  Polka doodles card and sweet stickers.

Catcha later.  Time for leap blogging.