Wednesday 29 June 2011

New Layout for Scrap Jacked June challenge

I decided to Jack Julies layout this time over at Scrap Jacked. They make it so easy to get some of my scrapping done each month by providing such great inspiration for us to jack. I had all intentions to try and get 3 done this month but time again has run short and Life happened. Maybe I will have a bit more time next month.
For my layout i used Basic Grey paper, pages from The Jungle book, Woven paper(Unknown), Pearl decorations, Prima flowers and leaves. The Picture was taken a few years back of Belle, James and Ava doing Hear, See, Speak no Evil. I figured the picture spoke for it'self and did not need a title.

Tonight we took the girls to go see Grease the Musical. It was great and they had such a great time. This is why the post is so late. I tried to put it up before we left but Blogger was having issues again so it had to wait till we got home. Hopefully it is before the deadline.

Don't forget there is still one day left to enter in my blog candy. For more information just click here or click on the picture on the sidebar.

Hope you have a wonderful evening and thanks for stopping in. Angela

Tuesday 28 June 2011

LIM week 21 sketch

The new challenge for week 21 at Less is more is a sketch. Above you can view my take on it. I decided to cut holes in the card and make it like a train window with a scene in the back. The paper on the top of the card is G45 and the image of the scene is from my US Artquest Napkin collage kit. the edges of the windows are foiled with silver. The sentiment is from Creative Expressions Vintage Aviation set. I got scared when I first stamped it on because I thought I doubled part of the image until I looked and that is the way the stamp is....Phew.... The picture really does not show the depth but I liked the way the flash made the windows glisten.
Here is a shot of the scenery when you open the card.


Please don't forget there is still time to enter for my blog candy here or click on the picture on my sidebar. It is open until the 30 of June.

All you have to do is leave a comment today or on any post from the start of the blog candy to receive more entries. check full details for more ways to get entries.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day. Angela

Try it on Tuesday

This week on Try it on Tuesday the Theme is "Recycled boxes" and it is an altered art challenge. Since I have been on a recycling kick this is perfect. I decided to alter a Foil box.
Its actually pretty simple. First you take the box and remove the cutting strip. Next gesso all the edges then flatten the box and cover with patterned paper. I used Basic Grey. I then added more paper on the edges. The holes for the ribbon are punched and the box is then put back together and the fold over edge trimmed. Finally I added the trim bits(Prima flowers, gems and napkin butterflies.). I then filled the box with some of my spare ribbon bits.

Now it's over to you to show us your altered recycled boxes. Just hop on over to the Try it on Tuesday blog to view the wonderful creations from my Team mates and to enter yours. This week we are being sponsored by The Craft Barn so be sure to place a link back to them in you post to be entered for the prize draw.

Now I have to apologize for not posting lately. This weekend Belle had her Dance exams then with Sunday being so nice I wound up spending too much time in the heat and got heat stroke. I am feeling allot better now but it was very scary to say the least. So there has been no time to be crafting. I have some crafty days planned this week and will be catching up soon.

Don't forget I still have my blog candy up for grabs. To find out more click here. You have until midnight June 30 to enter. See sidebar for picture and link.

Thats all I got for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. Angela

Friday 24 June 2011

SDC 33 and Stampotique Blog hop

The new challenge at Stampotique Designers challenge is up and they are also hosting a blog hop. I was so excited to see that that my last entry was chosen as a SDC favourite by Joanne . You can view it here. Now the new challenge is "To use your scraps" so that is what I did and made this little purse. If your scroll down you can see my pile of scraps I used. It is also a Stampotique stamps only challenge. Below is a picture of the inside of the purse.
And here is my pile of scraps. I started with some inky paper towels(used for cleaning up my spray inks), A scrap piece of G45 seahorse paper, , Prima gem left overs, leftover snaps from the baptism outfit I made, bubble wrap, fiber scraps and grungeboard scraps. I also used the Stampotique mermaid stamp, wire and some pearl pins.
( I did not use the Stampotique crafter stamp as planned or the white satin leftovers)


First I took the Grungeboard scrap(it was scored at both ends about an inch in form a previous leftover project)and I glued on the inky paper towel.

I then cut a piece of the G45 scrap paper and glued on the back of the grungeboard piece inside the score lines.

Next I stamped the mermaid on the paper towel side and filled in with a opaque white pen.
Once dry I coated it with a glossy coat. The snap is then put in place on the back and the purse folded into position. Then the sides are glued into place with extra paper towel scraps and the beads are added around the front and back along with some stamping with the bubble wrap and glossy accents. The handle is made by twisting more paper towel scraps around a wire and gluing into place. Finally I added the pins, gems around the handle bottoms and fiber scraps.
and here is another shot of the purse. I am entering this into the SDC33 challenge. Now I am off to follow the SDC blog hop. Don't forget I am offering some fun blog candy which you can get information on here.
thanks for stopping in and have a great day. Angela

Wednesday 22 June 2011

New ATC's ...Blog candy and more...

The June ATC swap Theme over at UK Stampers is "Travel with me". Here are are my ATC's.

And now my blog candy as promised.
It includes over 20 patterned papers, Jolees stickers, Die cuts, Cards, flowers, stickers, rub-ons. acetate embellishments, ribbons, doilies, brads, buttons and more.
To enter my blog candy just leave a comment below. You can also earn extra entries by doing one or more of the following:
1-Become a follower or leave me a comment mentioning that you are already one.
2- Enter the Try it on Tuesday Challenge this week here and leave me a comment on this post saying which number your entry is.
3- Enter the Stamp man Butterflies and Dragonflies challenge here and leave a comment on this post with your entry number.
4-comment on any of my posts from today on for another entry each comment.
You can enter for my blog candy now through June 30. I will post the winner July 1. Good Luck!

Today at school the kiddies went on a sponsor walk to raise money for the school.

There was some beautiful scenery along the way. I loved the colours in this photo. Hmmm Maybe a bit of inspiration for a future project.

Lastly I wanted to say a great big thank you for all the wonderful comments lately. I am working my way through visiting your blogs tonight and tomorrow. I really do appreciate all the lovely comments. Thank you! Well that's about it for now. Don't forget the Blog candy will be open till midnight June 30. Thanks for visiting and have a great night. Angela

Tuesday 21 June 2011

less is more Challenge 20

The theme for week 20 over at less is more is "Monogram" . I was going to go with the normal type for my card but then I decided to make the card above since I need a new house card.
Materials-
Winter houses stamp from A Muse.
"H" letter stamp from Technique Tuesday (Eiffel Tower upper set)
Glossy card
ProMarkers
Fiskars basket border punch

Nice and simple.

On an update front.... I am going to be posting some BLOG CANDY tomorrow so be sure to check in and see how to enter.

And before I leave you tonight I just wanted to remind you about some challenges and swaps ...

The stamp Man ATC swap blog - is a great place to swap ATC's and there swaps are open to all worldwide. the theme this month is "Trees". You can view my ATC's here. Swap end at the end of the month.

The Stamp Man Challenge blog - I am hosting the challenge this month as the newest member to the DT. The theme is Butterflies and dragonflies and you can view my project here. There are also some wonderful inspirational ideas from my very talented team mates here too and they would love for you to visit. This challenge is open until 9pm next Thursday.

Try it on Tuesday just began a new challenge and the theme is Summer Solstice. You can view my projects as well as my teams here. This challenge is open until midnight next Monday so why not pop on over and give it a go. This is a really fun easy going challenge site with lots of inspiration.

Now I am off to make some Eton Mess (I think that is how it is spelled.) With all the great strawberries we have had lately this is a perfect summer treat. Don't forget to pop in tomorrow to find out about my blog candy. Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day. Angela


Summer solstice

Is The theme this week at Try it on Tuesday and its a free choice week which means you can make a card, ATC, altered art or any project of choice as long as it has something to do with the sun. Now this week i am a bit last minute after our weekend away so I decided to make a Scrapbook page.
I used K and Company papers(pretty old), stitching on the side, Aspects of design Funky Flowers(coloured with promarker and white Smooch ink), My Sun is made from glossy paper coloured with promarkers and crackle. The title and writing definitions are from my stash, sorry I do not know who made them. Now be sure to head on over to the Try it on Tuesday blog to see the wonderful creations made by my team mates and check out the rules as well as meet our newest guest designer! I look forward to seeing your creations soon!

Now for some other catching up. We had a wonderful Girly weekend up in Skipton. There was lots of shopping and some fun workshops at The Stamp man. Here is the stash Belle and I got from Art from the Heart and The Stamp Man. Of course Belle, Anne and myself had to go through all the bags once we got to the room. it is so much fun going through new stash.
Do you see the white cases in the back? I have a project in mind for those already. I also have a project in mind for the little suitcases too. We all got some of them so we are going to do a little workshop together one day soon. fun huh.

After the workshops we headed out to tea. Chinese it was. Here we all.
Of course Belle had fried frog legs(yes she does eat very weird things, I am more vegetarian). We cracked up when she figured out that the joint would bend and she could bend the leg. Too funny.
On Sunday we headed back into Skipton and did a bit of walking around as well as some more shopping before having a bit of lunch and heading home. Of course I had a ton of cleaning and wash to do since DH was home alone so I am still playing catch up with that but I guess that is the price of a weekend away. It still was fun.

Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day. Angela

Friday 17 June 2011

Playing around


I got a few minutes today and decided to play a bit with my Napkin collage kit from USArtquest. Here is a card I made. First I stamped using the image of the face in the "Across the miles" set I picked up in the sale room at The Stamp Man. I coloured the image with Promarkers then stamped the Bird branch from Tim Holtz stamp set around the face. I also stamped the Script from the "Across the Miles" set using Tim Holtz Walnut distress stain. The pink floral napkins are then layered on top around the face. the butterfly(also a napkin bit) is then fixed on top and I added a few 3d flowers I had cut out and scrunched. I really love working with napkins and collage it is fun layering all the bits.

We have a busy weekend ahead as Belle, my friend Anne and myself are heading on a road trip up to Skipton via way of Harrogate. We are planning to do some fun shopping and have a girls weekend out with some crafting. Fun right! I think so . So I will bid you good evening and happy weekend and I promise to catch up on my blog reading on Sunday when we return. Have a great evening and thanks for stopping in. Angela

New Challenge over at the Stamp Man Challenge blog

Today I have the honor of hosting the fortnightly challenge over at The Stamp Man Challenge blog. I am so excited to be part of such an amazing team. This fortnights challenge theme is "Butterflies and Dragonflies" So I chose to make a little Butterfly house.

My material list is below. The house itself is made from clear acetate. I stamped the Aspects of design Christmas mesh stamp on it using Stazon Black, then cut out the door and edged it with gold foil. The door is hinged with 2 small gold jump rings. The top decorative part is made from card strips punched with the Fiskars border punch and then coated in gold foil. They are then edged around the top and bottom. 2 circles of card make up the top and bottom and are then covered with gold fiber paper. the chain is added from a bit of old jewelry and the ribbon is coloured with pink Promarker and then stamped with the words from the "On Gossamer wings Aspect of Design stamps". The Butterflies and Dragonflies are stamped onto Vellum and embossed with clear or Moonglow Angel wings EP then coloured with Promarkers. They are then cut out and the antenna are added before they are put into place around the cage. The flowers are made by running vellum through a big shot with Tim Holtz Tattered floral Die. They are then coloured with Promarkers and scrunched into place with fancy fasteners. Here is a closeup of the inside of the cage.
I love how it came out and the butterflies are somewhat translucent with the vellum. Has that inspired you for the challenge yet? You can view the rest of my team mates wonderful projects and inspirations over at The stamp Man Challenge Blog here. You can also enter your own creation there as well as check out the Challenge rules. We cannot wait to see all the wonderful projects you come up with this time. And of course don''t forget that The Stamp Man has a prize of a £10 gift voucher for the Stamp Man shop up for grabs as well as top 5 badges.
My materials list:
Tim Holtz Sizzix Die Tattered Florals
Fiskars Elegant border punch(from sale room at The Stamp Man)
Gold filament paper
Gold foil
Promarkers
chain
Twill
Stazon black ink

Now it is your turn to go have some creative fun and show us what you have created for this fun challenge. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day. Angela

Wednesday 15 June 2011

A new jack for June

Over at Scrap Jacked the new challenge for June is up and there are some beautiful inspirational new layouts to jack from their DT. This time I chose to jack Vicki's layout. I used Basic Grey solid papers and printed paper from Fancy pants designs. The flowers are made using vellum then run through my die cut machine with the Tim Holtz Tattered florals die. I then coloured them with promarkers and layered and crunched them. The swirls are grungeboard painted. The lace is from my stash and the letters are Thickers. The bottom of the tag is done suing a Martha Stewart punch. The leaves are from Prima. I used picture from a visit we had with my day in 2008. Belle loved riding the tractor with him.

Now off to do some more work. Thanks for popping in and have a great day. Angela

Tuesday 14 June 2011

A Simple card


The challenge this time over at The Stampotique Designers challenge blog is "Clean and Simple". I am not normally a Clean and simple type of crafter but I do enjoy and nice break now and again. So here is my card. I used the Stampotique Little friends stamp on blank white card and embossed in clear. when cooled I coloured the image with promarker simply and then clear embossed on the top. I then took a piece of bubble wrap and dipped it in Dylusions spray inks and stamped a random pattern in the corner and rolled over it with paper towel to dry it and remove from the image. i then added the Happy birthday stamp and hand drawn frame. Simple.

That's all I managed to get done today as I had to go into work early. I was supposed to go with our class on a local sports related trip but turned out the bus never arrived. How disappointing is that? We never did find out what happened to the bus but it made our school and another miss the event. Poor kiddies.
Tomorrow my friend is coming over to do some crafting so i am hoping to get some more done then. for now i will bid you a good evening and Thanks for stopping by to visit.
Angela
Wow I cannot believe another Tuesday is here and its time for another challenge over at Try it on Tuesday. Last weeks entries were definitely Weird and wonderful just like we asked for! Now This weeks Theme is "Butterflies" and it is Tag week again hosted by the wonderful Carole. So get out those tags and lets see some butterflies.
I decided to use Tim Holtz Stamps embossed and cut out on Vellum. They are then coloured with promarkers and layered on my tag. The background is Tim Holtz glassine paper stamped with the TH Butterfly stamp and crumpled. Lastly added some fusible webbing on the edge and heated it. The ribbons are bits of scrap from my stash.
Now you can hop over the the Try it on Tuesday blog to see the wonderful inspiration my team mates have created and link up your project. I cannot wait to see all the wonderful creations.

Now lets go create and have a wonderful day! Angela

Sunday 12 June 2011

Less Is More challenge 19

The theme at Less is More this week is "In the Frame" and it is a One Layer week. So we needed to create a card with only one layer and a frame somewhere in the layout. I chose to create a branch using Tim Holtz Winter stamp(tree) stamped sideways. I then masked off the frame portion and coloured the branch with promarkers. I then stamped the leaves using Tim Holtz floral stamp and brown tones distress inks. I then masked outside the frame and coloured the sky, tree branch with Promarkers and stamped the leaves with Tim Holtz floral stamp and green distress inks. the happy birthday is stamped in blue to tie in the sky colour. The bird is stamped from Time Holtz bird branch small stamp and coloured with Promarker. The frame is hand drawn with black marker and some doodles.

I am honored that my card from the Week 17 Challenge at Less is More was showcased. You can see it here . These challenges are so much fun and also very relaxing as the tend to be minimalistic but challenging. Fancy a little break? Why not give LIM a try!

So how about all this rain today? I had hung out my wash this morning as it was sort of nice out and then it started and has not stopped since. Oh well I guess we need it. At least it gave me a chance to work on some upcoming projects that I needed to complete along with the LIM challenge.
On a another note, I really would like to thank all the people who have been visiting my blog and leaving such wonderful comments. It is so nice to read them all! So thank you for taking the time to leave me a kind word. I try to visit the blogs of those who leave me comments although it may take me a little bit to get there.

Well that's all I have for now. Maybe some more tomorrow if there is a bit of time. Thanks for stopping in and have a lovely day. Angela

Friday 10 June 2011

New ATC's and some sewing

The Theme this month over at The Stamp Man ATC Swap is "Trees" I decided to make mine with birds and butterflies. They are done using the Tim Holtz Tree from the Christmas set. The leaves are done using the floral bush from TH Spring stamps. They are stamped using black Brilliance and distress inks. The birds and butterflies are from my napkin collections which are growing by leaps and bounds. I just love working with them.

Now yesterday I mentioned I was finishing up a sewing project. Here is the outcome. It is a baptism outfit for my little nephew in the states. I was waiting for final measurements which I got the other day. My Sister In Law wanted it to be made from her wedding gown and the dress he Mum had worn to her wedding(Her mum passed away shortly afterwards) Being that she had a boy that was a bit hard since her Mums dress was pink lace. I took the lace off the pink and used it to make the vest while the satin was from her train. The flower was from her dress and the bow tie from her veil and a bit of her Mums dress. The pearl buttons are from her Mums dress too. So what do you think?
Well that's about it for tonight. School tomorrow. thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
Angela

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Less is More Challenge Week 18

The Challenge this week over at Less is More is - "Colour - Monochrome". So I created this card in sepia brown tones. The stamped image is from Stampin Up and coloured with Promarkers. It is very simple but I think that is the point from Less is more at least I hope. This has become one of my favourite challenge blogs. It is refreshing to go simple at times. Especially when time is short as it has been this week. We have had house guests this week. My Blogging friend Christina and her husband came to visit with us for a few days.

They brought us these lovely Macaroons. Dont they look scrumptious?

And here they are on Sunday enjoying the sites at York.
The days went by so fast and there was so much to do. This morning I took them to the train station and we said our goodbyes till next time. It was a wonderful visit.

Today after a quick trip into town and getting the laundry out I met up with my crafting pal Anne to play a bit. Unfortunately I could not do too much as I have to finish a sewing project but maybe there will be time later. Now I am back to cutting and sewing.

Have a wonderful evening and thanks for stopping by. Angela

Tuesday 7 June 2011

It's time for Try it on Tuesdays weekly challenge. This week being the first week of the month is a card challenge and this week we are sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts.


And The theme this week is chosen by the lovely Georgina. She would like to see "weird and wonderful" on your card creations.

So I started off with the idea on the top with the Skeleton shopping. I did not put a sentiment as I am not sure what I will be using it or yet. For this card I clear embossed the Time Holtz Skeleton Stamp on white card. I then used Dylusions spray inks and a mask on the background. there is also some stamping with Tim holtz Floral flourish in black. The skirt is a bit of Crepe paper coloured with Promarkers and the hat is a bit of mesh also coloured. I made the shopping bags from card and added the strings.

Now I was not sure is I liked that card when it was done so I tried another. But then I began to like the first one too and now I cannot decide which I like better.

This one I masked off bits of the stamps and used the face from Stampotique Crafter, Wings from Aspect of Design Butterfly and legs from Tim Holtz small bird. I then coloured it with promarkers. The background is coloured blue and stamped with the floral grass stamp from Tim Holtz. I added Smooch ink to accent white flowers on bits. It is then layers on a stamped background and finished with a bow. This card also does not have a sentiment yet.
I tend to leave my sentiments until later because I always find myself changing them if I do set them.

So Which one do you like?
Now it is your turn to go create a Weird and wonderful card and be sure to check out the amazing inspirations the rest of the team made. They are amazing. You can see the other inspirational cards here as well as enter for the challenge. Now for the rules remember it has to be a card which follows the theme and you also need to post a link to our sponsor One stop Card Crafts in your post. Remember you must follow these to be eligible for the prize draw.
I cannot wait to see what you create.

Now I am off to spend some time with friends who have come to visit with us from Paris. they have been having a fun time here in England. So I apologise for being a bit out of site lately. I promise I will be back very soon with some more projects.
Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day. Angela

Friday 3 June 2011

New challenge at The Stamp Man and news....


The new Challenge(# 24) is up over at The Stamp Man Challenge Blog! This time the Theme was chosen by the Lovely Michelle and it is all about Men/Boys and rightly so just in time for Fathers day.
Here is a quick card I made for the challenge. For the background I used some white card and inked it up with some Weathered wood, Forest moss Distress ink and Vintage Photo Distress Stain from Tim Holtz. I then spritzed it with water and crumpled it up. Once dry I inked it with Perfect Medium clear and heat embossed it using clear detail EP.
For the pocket watch I used Aspects of Design "Across the Miles" clock stamp. I started by inking an area with Perfect Medium clear and embossing it using Moonglow Silver Moon Turquoise. I then stamped the clock on top of the cooled EP. Next I stamped the image again on another bit of paper and coloured in the face using a black Perfect Medium Pen. That piece was then embossed 3 times using gold Fine EP. Once cooled I cut out the face bit and added on top of the solid gold bit. the entire piece was then coated with melted clear fine EP. Gold foil is then touched on around the outside and Finally I added a bead cap which I squished and the gold chain(cut from an old broken necklace.).
the letters are from Rusty Pickle and inked a bit for shadowing.
I find it very difficult making mens cards as I tend not too get too many images suitable for men in my stamping. This one though is a nice fit for my dad as he likes nice simple things.
Now Pop on over to the Challenge here and see all the Lovely cards the DT has come up with to inspire you and to read up on all the challenge rules, then go ahead and add your creation! looking forward to seeing them.

Ingredients I used in my card:
Perfect Medium Black Pen
Perfect Medium clear pad
Rusty Pickle - Letters
Gold Bead cap
Gold Chain
Gold Foil

Now for some good news....I am so completely honored to say that I have been asked to be part of the Stamp Man DT. Can you believe it me among all those amazingly talented team members! I am so excited and a little nervous too! I will be hosting the next challenge on The Stamp Man Challenge blog on the 17th so be sure to pop back in and see what we do. It will be fun!

Now lets see some of those Men/Boys cards......

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day. Angela



Wednesday 1 June 2011

A fun day at QVC

Hello all, Remember that contest I won awhile back with QVC and Dawn Bibby? (You can see my card here) Well, A day or 2 after they finally scheduled the date with Dawn then all of a sudden she was no longer there. So they rescheduled the day with Marion Emberson.(Above is a pic of Olivia, Marion and myself) I also got to spend the day with another crafty winner and real sweetheart Olivia from North Ireland. We had a blast and got to spend the morning playing with Marion's stamps and other crafty things. Marion is so nice and down to earth I absolutely loved spending the day with her. She showed us some fun techniques for flowers, stamping and such. Here are some of the cards we did.

Now aside from the crafty time with Marion, Olivia and I were also treated to a fabulous lunch and behind the scenes tour of QVC all organised by the lovely Laura. I have to tell you that I have a new respect for the people producing those shows. There is so much going on and so much that can go wrong. It is amazing how they just flow through it all so seamlessly. We to see all the studio sets and learn some secrets as well as getting to walk into the live Jewelry show and see how it all went. There was even a little sneak peak of the upcoming craft show goodies that would be available and they were simply lovely. our tour was given to us by the very knowledgeable Sam who seems to know everything and everyone. She was amazing. After the tour it was time for us to part ways with Marion and the QVC gals but before we left, Laura gave us these fab goodie bags....
Filled with lots of crafty bits, some Promarkers(love my Promarkers), some new tools, Martha Stewart punches(love them too), stamps, crafty kits, stencils and more. There were even some Jewlery making bits, makeup and a sweet QVC bear who will now have a place watching me craft in my crafting room. My daughter had a ball going through my bag of goodies.

After we parted ways, Olivia had to head back to the airport and I had to head to the hotel to meet up with my husband and daughter. We then headed off to the Natural History museum (Which I have to say I was not as impressed with as I had expected to be., I was so looking forward to the dinosaur exhibit but much disappointed)I think my favourite part there was the architecture of the building. We then decided to go next door to the Victoria and Albert museum. I have to saw wow! there was so much to see that we ran out of time. I hope to make it back to finish it off. There were some amazing display rooms with plaster replicas of various treasures from around the world too and there is a new display room for Italy being designed and the architecture details are amazing. If you are ever in London and are a history and especially love old church features I would definitely recommend it.
This was the glass chandelier that greeted you at the entrance. It was amazing and so interesting.
could you imagine having to wear this???? How would you fit in a door?
When the museum closed we headed for our next stop in Newmarket on the way home. Of course we had to sit in the London traffic. Yuk.

I think this was definitely a better trip to London for us that the last one even if it did rain the first day. Now I cannot wait to get home to play with all my goodies. Well that is all for now sorry this was a bit wordy of a post. Tomorrow will be better I promise.

I hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by. Angela