Spring Has Sprung...

There`s nothing like the first sight of cherry blossoms to let you know that Spring is around the corner...(as well as a drippy nose, if you happen to suffer from hay fever LOL)

& here is a photo of my CLEAN craft table...it didn`t last long, but I thought I would put it here so I can remind myself of what it can look like when I actually put things away :)

I`ve tried to take part in SBT50 CC this month, & I know I`m a little late, but I`ve managed to do 2 of the challenges (4 if you count the 2 cards we had to make with the left-overs from the LOs)

I started with challenge #3, where at least a third of the LO had to be "white space". So here`s my entry (& I`ve used the beautiful SR pp which was included in the card kit I won last month at SBT50, thanks Victoria)

I think this is the first LO I`ve done with so much blank space... We also had to make a card using our left-over scraps:

I didn`t really have any left-over scraps except for the SR pp & the bit of yellow wc paper, but I did dig into my scrap stash for the cream & blue cs, so I guess that still counts :)

I also did challenge #4, which was a LO about yourself, using a photo of you & using 5 words to describe you! Scary stuff LOL, but as I usually scrap about DD & DH I thought this would make a nice change for the scrapbooks. I asked DD for help as I felt a little silly coming up with the 5 words myself, but then I realised it would be more fun to do the LO from not only my own perspective, but DDs & DHs as well. So here is the finished LO:

As for the card using up scraps from this LO, I used the DCWV pp as the background, & added the cream cs, & the red cs (which was the scrap I tried out my stitching on!) The sentiment stamp is from a Hero Arts clear stamp set, the flower was a punchie, with another bit of DCWV pp, and a brad thrown in for good measure. I don`t know if I`ll have a chance to attempt any more challenges, but we have until midnight Aug 28 to upload to the gallery...so here`s hoping :)

On another note, I`ve just finished my ATCs for the DARKROOM DOOR Wilderness swap in the DRD blog. I won`t show the ATCs just yet, but I wanted to try something new...so I`ll share that:

GM plus sand paper = a pretty nifty background :)

& just in case you have the time, DRD & GODELIEVE are giving away some rubber stamps...go check it out HERE

& there`s still some time left to enter this month`s music themed challenge over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, lots of crafty goodies up for grabs :)

As always, thank you for visiting my blog, I hope it inspires you to do something creative & fun...

A Slide Mailer

As promised, here`s my entry to this month`s MUSIC theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, using my favourite colour combination of purple & orange (with a few other colours thrown in for good measure!)







I`d never worked with a slide mailer b4 (I received this one as part of a prize pack from Crafty Individuals & INKURABLE STAMPERS), so I had to do a bit of research, & nowhere did I find any actual instructions on how to use the glass! The only tip I`ll give is to use a little window cleaner to make sure there are no finger marks on the glass surface b4 you start work on your project, & I also edged my slides with Stazon ink.
I started by painting the mailer with black acrylic paint, adding some old torn pieces of sheet music (which I found during my clean-up LOL) & when it was all dry, I painted it again with a specialty glaze paint ( Amethyst by MM)
I then edged it with Vivid ink, & added the beautiful sheer ribbons in purple, hot pink & orange (part of my prize from TARISOTA, thanks Tamar, & INKURABLE STAMPERS)
For the actual slides, I stamped the images from one of the DARKROOM DOOR stamp sets (Little Dreams) using Stazon ink (jet black) onto card which I had painted using Twinkling H2Os (in Ginger Peach), then covered the image with some DM, spreading it evenly with my finger & pressed the glass slide on top, & allowed it to dry overnight, trimming the card with a craft knife. (BTW, I think Lyn is onto something! I`ve never cut myself crafting! I just don`t belong in the kitchen, LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I then added some DS tape to the back of the slides, & pressed them into place.
The sentiment is also from the same set of stamps, stamped onto painted card using black Versafine ink & covered with clear EP, stuck onto an inked COLLECTIONS tag (from The Stamping Queen), & attached using some chocolate-coloured cord from a TARISOTA pack :) The butterflies are from a NON SEQUITUR plate (House of Belonging)
I also have another couple of things to share, a card I made for DH`s b`day, as well as his present..

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I just had to use "Head", an image by STAMPOTIQUE, & added lots of different fabrics for texture(there`s some felt in the b`ground, some linen, felt & hand-sewn beads for the heart & a strip of machine sewn cs) complete with a chipboard crown covered with pewter EP. And the album? It`s full of bits & pieces too, but it`s too personal to bore you all with it LOL. The main thing is that he loved it... :)
And just one more photo b4 I go & make a start on the new DRD Wilderness ATC swap... I never truly realised just how useful my thumb is LOL!!!!


TTFN...& don`t forget to do something creative : )

Are You a Hoarder?

OK, hands up if you are a hoarder! I think crafting & hoarding go hand in hand...we are the original recyclers, reusers, repurposers (is that even an actual word?) I`ve just had 2 weeks of procastinating, shuffling "stuff" from one side of the room to the other, trying to find a proper home for things so I don`t have to get rid of stuff that I know I will use (eventually LOL) & I`m happy to say, I`m winning the war... & I think I just have to remind myself that I can`t "keep" all the cardboard, I CAN put some in the RECYCLING bin, & NOT feel guilty about it, I don`t have to KEEP everything for a rainy day, or "just in case"

Anyway, on with the show & tell.

Firstly, I was awarded the "Idyll Hours Award" by LEESA (thank you LEESA) & as I read the title of the award, I was thinking that maybe it should have been "Idle" award, as I haven`t been posting much lately LOL. So now I have to share 10 reasons why I love to blog:

1. It beats housework ; )

2. Great way to share my creative attempts

3. It`s just fun to think that my blog can be viewed by people from anywhere in the world (Hi CUCHY & MAEVAN LOL)

4. I can have a whinge & there`s nothing anyone can do about it.

5. It`s a fun way to make & keep connections with cyber-friends (& real ones as well)

6. When I find something interesting online, I can let others know about it

7. It makes me feel as though I`m keeping up with technology ; )

8. It`s an easy way to keep a visual record of my varied crafts.

9. I can share as much, or as little as I want.

10. It`s just plain fun :)

So there you go, & now, if you`re reading this, consider yourself tagged LOL

Now, just in case you thought I was kidding about tidying my scrapping area...
This is why I haven`t been able to scrap!!!!!!!!

But I was able to do these for the July SBT50 CC:

The Christmas card was for a card blind challenge, which I was lucky enough to win (thanks Victoria & SBT50)

I was also kept busy making this for a little friend...It`s the first time I`ve made an apron, & I`m so happy with the way it turned out, I may just do another one for DD & one for me as well :)

I was going to share my entry for this month`s MUSIC theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, (& if you happen to be an ELVIS fan, you have to check out Sarah`s great samples) but I had a bit of a boo boo with my butchers`knife while preparing dinner, & ended up needing 4 stitches on my left thumb...I was very tempted to take photos, but DH didn`t want me to bleed out LOL so he took me to the Doctor`s to get stitched up (will share it as soon as I take a photo, my entry, that is, NOT the stitches LOL)

That`s all for now folks...I shall be back :)

Long Post Ahead...

I have lots to share, so on with the show. (I`d say grab yourself a drink, but if you grab a vodka, you`ll have trouble clicking on the links!!! LOL)

Firstly, I`d like to say a big thank you to those of you who have chosen to follow me, I don`t feel like I`m talking to myself so much LOL. Secondly, did you know that DRD is having 10 Days Of Giveaways to celebrate the release of their NEW COLLECTION?

Speaking of DRD, I took part in the latest "Viva La Flora" ATC swap, organized by the ever diligent Rachel, & I`ve just scanned my beautiful returns: In the first row is mine (Hidden Nature), followed by Sarah`s (All Things Grow...) & Damaris (Flowers).

On the second row we have Emi`s (Adopt the Pace...) then Rina`s (Earth Laughs..) then Mari Mari`s (Adopt...).

Third row we have Helen`s (Blue..) followed by Yukiko`s (Sending Sunshine) & Judith`s (Moments).

My second lot of returns are as follows: In the top row again is mine (Moments) then Jenene`s (Bloom), followed by Robyn`s (Smile).

Second row & we have Atsuko`s (With Love), Teresa`s (Memories), & Teraton (Enjoy...)

Third row we have Damaris (All Things...), followed by Yumiko`s (Moments) & Rachel C`s (From Small Beginnings...)

I know I say this every time, but I love taking part in these swaps, it`s so great to see how each participant interprets the theme, & how differently they all turn out, even though we may sometimes use the same images & even similar colours. Believe me when I say that the scans don`t do them justice, but I will come back & add the link to the DRD GALLERY once RACHEL has finished with the 10 DAY GIVEAWAY & sets up the ATC gallery for this swap. Needless to say, I`m most grateful to all those who took part, each ATC is a mini work of ART & just beautiful to look at, & of course a big thak you too, to Rachel for organizing this great swap. I`m already looking forward to the next one LOL :) This next ATC was my TY ATC for Rachel, I used one of my cuttlebug embossing folders & some DCWV cs, with the white core (great stuff IMO) I used two of the stamps from the Viva La Flora DRD plate, stamped with black Versafine ink & coated with clear EP, lots of distressing, some glass beads & sheer ribbon, I`m rather pleased with the way it turned out : )

On another note, I received a lovely B`day card from my friend LYN, (as well as some great stamped images, thank you Lyn) & if you visit her blog you will see lots of beautiful creations, but in the meantime here is one she prepared earlier ; )

& here`s my entry to this MONTH`S THEME over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, we had to use playing cards in our project, so I chose the queen of hearts to do my Queen of ART :)

I`ve used the playing card as a frame, cutting out the middle section, adding some pewter EP to the edges & adding a b`ground made by stamping bubble wrap with acrylic paints (lime, metallic purple & gold paints on wc paper)
I stamped my "Art doll" twice with Stazon ink (Blazing Red) onto white cs, carefully cutting it out, adding one image to the b`ground (under the frame)& layering the second image using foam tape (over the frame) I added the paper flowers, clock hands (punched) & a green gem to finish... I`m sorry I don`t know the stamp manufacturer as I got her in a grab bag...I tried to look, but life`s too short LOL. I really like the way she turned out, so I may make a few more so she`s not lonely : ) OK, that`s it for me, I hope you`re having a nice time wherever you happen to be right now, & I hope you can find some time to smell the flowers...Until next time, go forth & create...& thanks for visiting

It`s Just a Game....

There`s lots going on at our house at the moment...& although it`s all creative stuff, it`s not something I can share right now. I will however, share some beautiful things I have received in the mail in the last couple of weeks. I was lucky enough to win a G/V from Tarisota for my entry to Inkurable Stampers May theme, & Tamar was kind enough to send me ALL of these beautiful packs...

I also received 3 gorgeous ATCs all the way from Spain from my cyber-friend Cuchy (Muchisimas gracias Cuchy, te mandare algunas ATCs mias esta semana, te lo prometo!!!)

& this beautiful card was sent to me by another cyber-friend, Margaret A. isn`t it lovely? & in one of my favourite colours too, Thank you Margaret.

I also remembered to post a new challenge over at ARTILICIOUS, you can check it out HERE. & I`ll be working on my "orange"inchies today, and sending them off asap, thanks Marie :)

I was also the lucky recipient of a prize pack from SBT50 for my entry to the card challenge at last month`s CC ( we had to make a card using the left-over scraps from the 1st LO challenge)

This month`s CC has already started, & you have until July 28th to upload your entries to the gallery, you can check it all out HERE
And if you`re wondering what the title of this post refers to, it`s all to do with this month`s SBT50 CC game, "Blog Hop with a Twist"... (shhh, don`t tell anyone else, but this is your last stop) so if you want to find out more, Begin Now! ; )

Cards, LOs & even an ATC!!!

Hello people, I have a few bits & pieces to share: Firstly, a card & a lay-out for the CC over at SBT50. See the 2 gorgeous crowns? They were kindly donated by the sponsor for this months`CC, Tracy, at my2angels. We were actually given 4 crowns, & were asked to use them for 2 of the challenges (Thanks Tracy)

:

Next, a card & an ATC made for this month`s theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS (thanks Sarah for the prompt, it`s nice to be wanted LOL)

For the card I`ve used one of DRD`s beautiful images, stamping first with bleach, & then with black Versamark ink & clear EP. For the ATC, I used another of my favourite Stampotique images, & "painted" the face & fingers with bleach, & yes, I had the sewing machine out, so I added some stitching to both projects...

Next, 3 cards for Marie, over at PERNICKETY`s for her Card Bootcamp...The first one is a tri-fold card, then there`s the "royal" card with lots of bling, followed by a shaped card (a house card for my nephew`s 2nd birthday)

I have been tagged by both SANDIE & MARIE, so here are my answers...

Question 1 --- 8 things I look forward to :
1. Spring (I get hayfever, but I LOVE all the flowers just the same)

2. Finishing my current LO

3. Finishing the current book I`ve just started reading (Rumi`s Daughter)

4. School holidays (less scrapping, but more creating with DD)

5. Sleeping-in (see above LOL)

6. Spending my G/Vs (B`day presents from DH & DD, & mum & dad)

7. Finishing DH`s project (Shhhhh!)

8. Sundays spent together, just the 3 of us :)

Question 2 --- 8 things I did yesterday :

1. Went to the post office

2. Started reading a book

3. Did some ironing

4. Did my entries for Inkurable Stampers

5. Read some blogs

6. Made some scones

7. Did a load of washing

8. Watched TGYH with DD

Question 3--- 8 things I wish I could do :

1. Play the piano...

2. Play guitar

3. Type faster

4. Keep a tidy craft area

5. Print my own money!!!!!!

6. Speed reading

7. Speed cleaning

8. Travel

Question 4--- 8 things or shows I have watched lately :
1. Thank God You`re Here

2. Spooks

3. Night at the Museum 2

4. DD doing ballet

5. Dr Who (new series)

6. "The Cure" on Youtube

7. Videos of DD as a toddler

8. Ghost Whisperer (not scary enough for me, but DD enjoys it)

Now, if you`ve read my answers & would like to join in, consider yourself tagged!!! Thanks for visiting, & I hope you have a creative day :)

Looking For Something To Do?

If you have some time & want to do something with it, why not try some bleach stamping? That`s this month`s theme over at INKURABLE STAMPERS, & if you`re scratching your head, & thinking "what is she talking about?" Sarah has put up a great TUTORIAL with lots of photos & tips, & she`s done some gorgeous samples using some of my favourite images from Stampotique..& when you`re done reading the tutorial, you can have a go yourself & enter your project for a chance to win some FABULOUS PRIZES... I tried to make a start today, but the bleach didn`t make it all the way to my craft table...it had to take a detour to the laundry first...& then I got stuck LOL, but I`ll try again tomorrow :)

If that challenge is not enough, how about joining in all the fun of this months` CC over at SBT50, lots of challenges to get you inspired, & lots of games too. Speaking of SBT50, the Stars of Scrap competition came to a close, but due to a disappointing turn-out the actual competition was cancelled...I did get a prize for taking part (thank you so much Victoria, I`ll put all those goodies to great use) Still, I`m able to share the LOs & card here now...

The first LO is part of a double page LO, lots of texture, & I just love those tiny Collection houses, I have so many scraps in my stash & I think they are a great way to use them up...The second LO is of my beautiful daughter...& see those flowers? I punched some, & stamped some & painted them & teamed them up with some Prima flowers & some MM crystals, I`m very happy with how they turned out. As for the card, I just HAD to use that Tim Holtz image again (thanks CUCHY) Doesn`t she look cute? While you`re still here reading, did you know that Rachel has a new ATC swap happening as we speak? Visit her HERE for all the info...& don`t forget to take a look at the gallery while you`re there.

I`ve tried to keep up with Sandie`s Alphabet soup & Marie`s Card Bootcamp, but I`m running a bit behind, does anyone know where I could buy some TIME!!!! Oh & while I was getting the links I read that I`ve been tagged by Sandie...Well, the old saying is true, "time flies when you`re having fun" Thank you for your visit, & I hope to see you again soon. Until then, create something, it`s good for the soul :)