Hello There...

Wow, I can't believe March is almost over!!!     It seems to be getting harder and harder to make time to post in my little blog, but I do have some photos to share...

The above are part of a card kit from CRAFT QUEEN, and you can find it HERE...

And the above 2 cards were made using some of the wonderfully versatile washi tape that Nicole has available online... Check out some of the brand new designs HERE.

And here are some tags I also made for CRAFT QUEEN...

 

I hope you are well in your corner of the world...until your next visit, enjoy your time : )

A Vase Glove?

That's the best way to describe the little bag I made (in 10 minutes!!) I did some pruning yesterday, & I wanted a vase, but could not find the right size...so I had a look in the cupboard under the sink, which happens to be the place where I keep "stuff" which may-come-in-handy -one-day,-but-which-usually-ends-up-in-the-recycling-bin-after-a-month LOL, & ended up using an empty jar of sauce. I couldn't be bothered to remove the label, so I decided to hide it instead.
While I was searching for some suitable fabric, I got an email from LEESA, letting me know she had a St. Patrick's day challenge happenning in her blog, which made the choice of fabric easy, green, just in case you're wandering LOL. So I just measured the circumference of the jar, got my sewing machine out, & 10 minutes later I had a vase glove, or jar bag...I added some string to hold it in place, & one of Sandie's hand-made daisies to finish it off. So this one's for Leesa's challenge : )







Now, onto another challenge...

This is for INKURABLE STAMPERS gothic Arch challenge #4, the theme is "hands", & as usual, no planning! I started with the green colour (acrylic paint onto an old book page) for the b'ground (nothing to do with St. Patrick's, I just wanted to use a colour I haven't played with for a while LOL) & the image of the dangling fob watches (it's from a Non Sequitur plate) The same plate had the quote (which is stamped & clear-embossed), the clock face, & the tiny group of hands (under the clock), & to those I added the eyes (from Time To Stamp)& the small script (from Victoria's Secret) The edges were inked with Encore metallic ink (copper) & clear-embossed, & I added some copper-coloured German scrap, & some Kaiser pearls, a hand-trimmed felt heart, bling brad, & the clock hands (punchies) If you get a chance, have a look at the great Flickr group HERE, & don't forget, you can join in at any time...

Last week I was lucky enough to receive this lovely parcel from my friend SANDIE, part prize( for the Halloween competition she had happenning in her blog a while back) & part challenge (the napkin is my next project) with a lovely card, all for me ( Thanks so much Sandie, love your beautiful hand-made flowers)

& She has recently celebrated the BIG 50...50 followers (not years!!!!) & she's running another great competition, so pop in & say hello :)

Here's what I did with the set criteria...

We had to use our favourite colour, bling, a pin, beads, & some sort of trim (ribbon or twine etc) So I used purple BBcs & DCWV pp, a bling brad for the centre of the flower, a sewing pin, pearly beads (on the embroidery floss attached to the sentiment, & some beautiful red velvet ribbon (from CRAFT QUEEN)

Phew! If you've made it this far, thank you for your patience, I hope there is something here to inspire you to use up your crafty bits & pieces, & to have fun. Thanks for your visit, & see you soon : )

On a Winning Streak!

Oopps! In all my ATC excitement I forgot to mention that I had also been a winner at INKURABLE STAMPERS last month (for my mermaid), receiving a very generous G/V from Heike at SCRAPZ.BIZ (thanks Sarah & Heike) & I was also lucky enough to receive a very generous cardmakers pack from SCRAPBOOKING TOP 50 (Thanks Victoria) So you see, you have to be in it to win it (says she, who still hasn`t started on this month`s CC challenges over at SBT50!!!!!!!!!!!)

Anyway, I wanted to share the bag I made for this month`s theme at INKURABLE STAMPERS. I had already started it when DD asked me if I was going to show it in my blog, so out came the camera LOL.

I had a bit of trouble trying to find an ink that I could use on fabric, but thanks to Google, I went with Adirondak Dye Ink. I also found lots of free patterns for shoulder bags thanks to Google, complete with great tutorials, but none had the pattern for the style I was after, (a shopping bag) so I worked on the pattern myself, & it turned out just like I had pictured it.

Now, tutorials are not my thing, but I`ll share the photos that I did take & if anyone is interested, I`ll work on a tutorial for later on...just let me know.

I used denim for the outside, & 100% printed cotton for the inside lining. & the finished bag measures 18" x 14" approx. The first 2 photos are the inside bottom corners, it`s what gives the bag its shape.

I then added some short handles, I wanted this bag to replace the ugly but practical shopping bags.

& this is one of the images I used, isn`t it great (this is one of the stamps I chose from SRAPZ.BIZ, thanks Heike)

For stamping on fabric, the image will give great results if stamped onto wrinkle-free, tightly woven fabric, & as you need a hot, dry iron to set the image, cottons work best. Use your DYE inks, & stamp first onto scrap fabric, & when you`re happy with the stamp chosen, stamp onto the fabric, allow a few minutes to dry & then iron on both sides of image without moving the iron about (just press for a few seconds at a time) Now, I doubt that I`ll be washing this bag too often, but if you want to make sure your image can pass the washing test, use a good fabric ink, otherwise, just heat set, & wash gently LOL.

& this is the image I stamped for the opposite side (STAMPOTIQUE from THE STAMPING QUEEN)

& here`s the finished bag : )

& being modelled by my ever helpful DD (thanks darling)

It`s the first time I`ve made a bag, & I`m so happy with how quick & easy it was to make (I know it would have been quicker to make it without the lining, but I was having so much fun sewing FABRIC as opposed to cs LOL, & it looks so much prettier, giving it a nicer finish, don`t you think?). I do believe I`ll be making a couple more as gifts for Christmas (only another 10 weeks away!!!!!!!!)

Who knew stamps could be used on fabric????

Enjoy your weekend, & thanks for visiting : )