Anything Goes Challenge ....

This is my tag I created for the Anything Goes Challenge blog. I am a bit late in getting it posted but I had a few problems last night with uploading my pictures. I used Tim Holtz inks, White paper tag, misc lace, and Tim holtz stamps. Hope you enjoy it. Now off to Dance......Angela

A new week.

Wow what a lovely holiday break that was. Bruges was absolutly stunning the weather was nice up until Sunday and I had some nice packages waiting for me today. First I received my swap items from the Something old...swap at A swap for all seasons. All wraped up pretty just teasing me to open it....

I was so excited to open my package and what lovely things I found inside. A wonderful hand made journal book(and note the little pic of Belle on the front), A beautiful vintage hankie, A Wonderful hand made old hinged tag book, Fun blue flowers, Stickers and a vintage wedding photo. Everything is so beautiful and so me....Thanks Tina! Love it all! And thanks to Linda for hosting yet another great swap.

Next package I had to open were my "Tall Tales" ATC's from ATC Swappers May swap. I had alot of fun with this one(I had posted my cards I made a bit back)and for any of you interested in ATC swaps in the UK definately check them out. I received 4 great cards....

The Snow White one was even a pop out card. I Love this idea and must take note for later reference.

And talk about small world....there was even a card in there from Poppet....Love it Poppet.

Thanks to all of you whos cards I received. they are wonderful! Well that ends my lunch break and I must now return to the kiddies at school. This afternoon we have a special treat. We are making a little mini album. I will post directions after I post about the envelope book directions later thsi week. Have a wonderful day and thanks for all the wonderful comments you have been leaving. Angela

Im back......

but I cannot wait to go back to Bruges(Belgium). It was beautiful. now I know why they call it the venice of the north. Here are some pictures to share with you although it was hard to pick some since we took over 300. This is one of the best things living in the UK it is so easy to hop on a ferry and travel. Love it.

This one of a sculpture in the courtyard of the Sint Jansspitaal
I just love all the quaint houses with lace curtains and old wooden doors.

Here is a picture from inside the Our Lady's Church. The church has so many amazing details you cannot even describe all the beauty within. There was a beautiful organ and amazing carved out set of pulpit stairs along with beautiful paintings and much much more.

Here were on a canal boat tour. There was such beautiful Architecture everywhere and so serene.

and peaceful. They only have 20 boats in total allowed on the canal from all the tour groups combined. the tour lasts about 30 min.

The Our Lady church can be seen in the distance above while the buildings and many hotels and restaurants can be seen on the canal below.

On our walk to the Heiligbloedkapal (The Basilca of the holy blood) We strolled though a small square with ouutdoor fish sellers, a weaver....

and an adorable little puppet and puppet master. I t was amazing how lifelike he could make the puppet seem and how it took on a personality.

Since the Basilica was not open until 2pm we decided to have some lunch...Who do you think had this....one hint she is a growing girl.....and spoiled.
And of course we had to stop and sample the chocolate.....

And more yummy chocolate and yet again more chocolate sampling. there were so many chocolate shops with so many beautiful scrumptious displays.

I will post the rest of the pics on my FB page later this weekend for anyone wanting to see them all. there was still so much we did not get to see in our short stay in Bruges. The town is filled with beauty and so much history we are definately planning another trip. Hope you enjoyed the pics. Now off to BBQ. Angela

What a beautiful day...

To go site-seeing in Belgium. Beautiful weather, Beautiful sites and Chocolate....mmmmmm... what could be better.

Too bad I can't bring my crafting stuff with me but with so many things to see I am sure there will be no time. I will be sure to get plenty of pictures however. See you all again shortly. Have a splended weekend. Angela

Something old .......catching up

Sorry I have been MIA for a little bit but with the kiddies off this week there is little me time. I have been meaning to post these pics as a sneak peak of a swap I am in from "A Swap for all Seasons". We had to swap something old, something new something borrowed and something blue as well as a vintage wedding pic. The first snippet is of all my stuff packaged up neatly to go. I made sewed all the bags to be re-usable. This swap was mailed for June 1 and has not arrived yet so I cannot post the actuals till she receives it. she is in Denmark and makes the most amazing collectible bears called Tiny Bear. if you get a momment you must check her out here. The second snippet is a collage of the things I sent her. Of course it is not the actuals but mear pieces, distorted to show only a glimpse. Hope it gets you guessing. Now off to work on a few crafty challenges before dinner is ready. Have a wonderful night. Angela

Catching up , Challenges and more...

Well it has been a crazy week so far. After slicing my finger open Friday while making tea, it is finally starting to heal(or at least stop bleeding). although it is still numb a bit(guess that is good except with typing) I am finally at a point to get a bit of crafting done. I finished a few challenges last minute for some of course. Below is my purse envelope album. Yep you guessed it , it's made from envelopes. The papers I used are Basic Grey and cloud 9. The lace is from my stash, The brads are from chatterbox and Basic grey. the butterflies are a stamp from Tim Holtz and the lace flower is made from scraps of lace with Prima leaves.


The top has a loop that goes over a brad to keep it closed.

When open it displays pictures. I picked these because they went with the colour scheme and are some of my favourite professional portraits of Belle.

Such a Cheeky Monkey she is! I just adored this dress when she had it. It was one of my splurge items for her.

She looks like such an Angel here. .......what happened??

I also included some journal tags that slide out using the butterflies.
This pocketbook envelope Album is for the following challenges:
Our Vintage affair monthly challenge - Bags
Colour Create Challenge #45- Soft green and light aqua with optional butterflies.

Below is an ATC I did for the Craft Den ATC May challenge - Flowers. I am not happy with it so I need to make another. I am not sure what I do not like maybe it is just too plain.


Well Hope you enjoyed the projects and heres to hoping the finger is better soon...Wishing you all a lovely day (despite all the clouds and chill) and Thank you for all the wonderful comments. Angela

ATC Swap for May

I am definately on a roll now. Just finished up my cards for the May ATC swap over at ATC Swappers. This months theme was "Tall Tales" which could be story characters, fairy tales or such. I chose to do 4 princess tales - Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella.
The first card on the top left is Sleeping Beauty. I stamped the back of the card with Tim holtz stamps and added pink droplets for floral buds using Smooch. I then printed out the story and distressed the paper. This I added on the card then printed a spinning wheel, distressed it and added that on top. I then stamped using the edge of another Tim Holtz stamp over for a thorn branch look. Simple as it is I think this is my favourite.
The next to the right is Snow White. I inked the background again with Tim holtz stamps and distress inks. Added white stazon on the edges. I placed a snow white image under vellum and used Inkadinkado frame stamp for the mirror. I hand cut the apple and added glossy acccents. To the bottom left is Beauty and the Beast. I chose to do a rose for this one layering lace between. I used Close to my heart rose stamps and distress/chalk inks.
The last is Cinderella. I inked and stamped the background with Distress inks and Anna griffin flourish stamps. The clock stamp is from close to my heart. The castle and carriage are cut from a fantasy themed frame I bought about 10 years ago. Sorry I do not have a maker for it since it had no packaging. Hope you like them. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for all the wonderful comments on my last few posts. I love reading them all.
Have a wonderful night. Angela