Christmas gifts for the teachers

Hi, My daddy came up to see me today. I have not seen him for 6 months or so. He moved to Cornwall ten years ago.... when my mum and him seperated. I see him for a few hours every six months ,so I get emotional with it all. I love him ,but our relationship has somehow disintergrated ,due to the fact we see so little of each other nowadays. They don't get on ,so it means that we can never be together as a family, ever again. I being the sensitive type find this incredibly difficult. Never mind, I got out the glimmer mists and made these triangualer gift boxes for the treelight candleholders I brought for the kids teachers. I just sprayed the card with red and green glimmer mists and then stamped using various paperartsy stamps. I then created some matching tags and added some ribbon to co-ordinate. I am dead happy and I love making these as it takes one piece of A4 card and no gluey mess just a few folds.

Penny Black Challenge - 3,2,1

It's a recipe! 3 flowers, 2 papers and 1 ribbon. I made this birthday card. I stamped the image onto tissue paper on opposite sides to create a mirror image. I then glued it using PVA to some white acrylic paper. I coloured the image using marvy's and colouring pencils and chalks. I added some doodles and a crystal lacquer. I then used hint of pink papers on the inside and outside of the card. I turned the corner to add some interest and to show the two papers. I used a ribbon from my new stash and I added 3 flowers to complete. I also added a bunch of flowers in the corner to brighten it up. I will use it for one of my daughters friends or a girlie friend. Horrible day here in London, windy,wet and wintery! My daughter is going to diggerland with the brownies, I have just dropped her off and I am not sure they are going to stay very dry. Here's hoping!

Daring cardmakers - Ten minute Christmas card

Hi, here is my ten minute card for Daring cardmakers challenge. I made the backing paper last year using my graphics program ( now obselete since computer crashed big time). I cut out a square from some wrapping paper and matted and layered to make the topper and added some peel offs. Just had a diagnosis for my OH he has Inflammatory Polyarthritis. He has had the medication bumped up again. At least the rheumatologist seemed helpful this time around. He spent 6 hours waiting at the hospital. If anyone prays please pray for him!

tag your it - aqua and brown

A stunning colour combination to work with! Sarah has chosen aqua and brown as the theme for this weeks tag your it challenge. I decided to get arty and I used acrylics to paint my backgrounds a rich copper brown, and for the aqua I mixed blue,green and white. I added some swirls a stamp and some gems and ribbon from my new stash. I did a bit of doodling to finish off. Promise it looks better in real life. Photo mojo just shot to pieces. I have been poorly spent yesterday flaked out so that can be my excuse. My eldest daughter was very sick too..... she was actually sick! I was meant to go out last night and tonight so it was just my luck to fall ill.

Ribbon frenzy!

Hello all ribbon addicts! I found a really cool website http://www.craftyribbons.com/ I ordered and received the very next day! I ordered this little bundle (59 metres) it cost just under £10.00 and I even got a freebie. They do some great value packs (£3.00 for about 18 metres) and the selection of ribbon is huge. Take a peek! LOL Px

Christmas frenzy!

I thought it was all over making cards etc for christmas but alas I had to make some last minute ones. We are putting together a hamper for a needy person and I had one or two that I needed to make last minute. I did a challenge a long while back for the basic grey challenge and I loved the card I made so here are some variations.

Penny Black challenge - Sketch

I have made a birthday card, yes I have put down the glitz and glitter of christmas and made a non christmas card for the for the first time in ages for the penny black challenge. I have made a birthday card for the pretty sketch. I used the mice with the cake image by penny black. The sentiment stamp is stamps away. I used chalks and colouring pencils for the image. I also stamped another penny black stamp onto some Basic Grey paper. I added some tissue paper and some ribbon to comply with the sketch.

sketch saturday - 28

For this fantastic sketch I dug out the TSV, stroked the paper and started to create. I used the DL card that came with it. I then picked out a co ordinating border and backing papers. I attatched a scalloped oval ( clevercuts) that I had inked to one of the backing papers. I stamped an owl onto the branch that is on the paper. I put some 3D laquer onto this to give it some definition. I then inked some vellum flowers added gems to decorate. I added the sentiment and the card is made. This sketch is fabulous to work with. I am off to eat my lamb shanks smothered in rosemary and garlic, potatoes, carrots and peas!

Basic Grey challenge - Oh so charming!

Hello sorry to everyone who is bored with christmas cards, but I still have some to get done. I made this using "two scoops" papers. I got the ribbon technique from Kaths blog. http://kath-allthatglitter.blogspot.com/ I got the label templates ( which I think are similar to new nestibilities) from the following blog Mel's stampz http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/12/square-label-or-note-shape-templates.html An aladdins cave of tips by the way! I made the little charm and stamped a merry christmas sentiment onto the label and used a paperartsy stamp to add some interest.

Hi this week daring cardmakers theme is "This week you can make any card you like - so it can still be for Christmas, or to say Thank You or a card for any occasion you like, but I'd like you to look for your inspiration right there, in your home." I made this card inspired by the lights we put up for christmas. I know there will be an appropriate time for it's use. I used my christmas paperartsy stamps ,to stamp the lights onto photo copying paper, stuck onto card and doodled around them. I then printed the sentiment from Microsoft word and stuck it on. Great challenge and fun to do. Thanks.

Tag your're it! - Triangle

Sorry another christmas one! I used the papers and templates that came free with a copy of crafts beautiful and a lovely couple of paperartsy stamps and of course some doodles. I used cream card and as one of my stamps messed up I sponged on some of the same colour ink all over. Great challenge Carol! Endless possibilities.

Cuttlebug challenge - Make your own!

Hi GREAT challenge a chance to get creative. What a marvellous idea and actually quite simple. I haven't got a cricut so I had to cut out my shape with good old fashions craft knife. I used some chipboard from the back of a pad. I have done a Santa shape so I can create cards for my childrens friends. I used acrylic to paint him. You can make each one individual. It saves time as you only have to draw in the detail. I love the way the embossing creates a raised look without having to use sticky pads. I adored this challenge and will definately look to creating more of my own folders the possibilities are endless!

Arty Girlz challenge #63 - Frames

Hi folks, I have made this foam laminated frame, for this mega cute piccie of my baby boy! I used some red foam from Tesco that I painted with gold acrylic followed by white acrylic. I cuttlebugged it but I didn't think this worked well for this project so I stamped some swirls on it and then laminated and stuck together. We are awaiting to be rehoused so I may turn it into a wall hanging when this finally happens. I want red as a feature in the living room.

Christmas has started!.... Decs are up!

Oh Christmas Tree - Basic Grey Aperture

I have made a hanging christmas ornament for the tree. I have not yet got said tree. We are going to be brave and have a real one again for the second year running. I used "Two scoops" ,and a free image I found on the net that I thought matched the papers really well. Inspired by the lovely mixed media and altered art artists I have found whilst blogging. I used a smaller image and made it into a sentiment. I used utee on top of it to give it a glazed look. I think this has a shabby chic and vintage feel to it!

Penny Black challenge - no patterned paper

I used 2 non christmas penny black stamps and masking technique to create this little scene. The christmas tree is from a template I got free in a magazine and the noel stamp by paperartsy. The swirls that make the wallpaper are by graphicus. I like the little mouse emerging from the tree to look at the others opening the present. This wasn't planned so was a nice suprise. It is so cold this morning. Baby Max is feeling a lot perkier today so I am a happy mummy!

White and a hint of pink - DCM challenge

Okay back inside,warming up and getting rid of the munchies. I have made this card for the DCM challenge. The challenge is and this week...we are dreaming of a WHITE (and splash of pink Christmas!) I would love you to design a card which includes white mostly (ie: snow, snowmen etc ) and also a little splash of pink somewhere on the card. Sorry about the scan a bit grainy.

Tag You're it challenge - Snow is falling

Hi, well my little one, who is now not so little (where has 8 months gone?) has responded well to his medication and is not wheezing so much now. ( He has had bronchillitus). Inbetween a million school runs and dinner and brownies I have managed to make this tag for Tag you're it challenge. I made the snowman, I stamped some basic grey paper with some falling snow. I also made a big glittery snowflake too. Have you guessed the theme is "snow is falling". Off to brownies again now, so will quickly post this to the right place and come back to comment on all the tags!

Arty girlz challenge #62 - favourite colours

Too many colours, how do I choose? What a week! My baby Max has bronchillitus so I spent yesterday morning in casualty. He is responding to the medication quite well so I can go off to my South African evening tonight for a couple hours. Some friends are moving to South Africa soon to work in an orphanage for aids victims, tonight we are having a night to celebrate this.

I received my melting pot this week so I decided to play. This is my first experiment. I used clear UTEE and I melted some in my project pan then I added some blue and red to dye for which created this deep purple centre. I mixed some purple, black, grey and pink polymer clay and then created the pendant. I added some varying gold bugle beads. I added jump rings into the clay so I could create some danglers and link for the chain. I then created the danglers using some beads I made with the leftover clay and the bugle beads. I added a leather chain and there you have it. Photo not great soz.

My favourite colours are black, metallics ( silver, copper,gold) and purples. So I tried to incorporate elements of these. Loved the challenge as it is a chance to express some personality.

Tag your it! - Annes sketch

I love doing these, such fun! I made another christmas tag as it is around the corner and lots of pressies to add tags too. I want to know why is it that it rains everytime my daughter goes to a party and just as I am about to take her and pick her up? I used paperartsy papers, a paperartsy stamp for the text and the other stamps for the image are from my stash. I added a button with a snowflake on to embellish.

Penny black challenge - funky Christmas

I have been moaning that I haven't had enough crafting time recently. So last night I made time and during I'm a Celebrity I came up with this for the Penny Black Challenge "Funky Christmas". I don' have any christmassy Penny Black stamps so I had to be creative. I made a window. In London quite a few people put lights up outside their homes so I added a string of lights (quite funky ones, Ithink) they are paperartsy stamps. I then stamped some penny black images and coloured. I hand drew the hat on the dog. I attatched them on the inside to make them appear to be at the window looking for father christmas. On the inside i added some detail to make it appear interesting through the glass. It's snowing 8.43am here in London!

Penny black challenge

Ahh Thanks so much Joey!

My fellow London blogger, craft addict and Formula one addict Joey has left me this award. Check out Joey's fabulous blog. She makes wonderful cards and shares some great tips.

http://joeysworldofstuff.blogspot.com/

This is the message for the award. It is to be passed to 8 other bloggers for the sentiments below.

This award states that:
This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships.These blogs are exceedingly charming.These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends,They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement.Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated,Please give more attention to these writers.
I am passing it to these inspiring ladies:

http://sueskraftykards.blogspot.com/ - Sue

http://random-ramblings-of-a-crafter.blogspot.com/ - Crissi

http://scrapping-away.blogspot.com/ -Julie

http://thepapergirls.blogspot.com/ -Chriss and Chris

http://creativesolace.blogspot.com/- Heather

http://kathybsworlduk.blogspot.com/ -Kathy

http://slightlysquiffy.blogspot.com/ - Lythan

2 for one - DCM challenge and basic grey challenge

Hi, I combined two challenges to make this card. I am being quick ,although I always am with my posts. X factor is on soon and I have to get my teething baby to sleep too. I made this card for the DCM challenge which is coffee, you can use coffee colours,labels, anything associated with coffee basically. I used some sizzix dies. If you look really closely you can see I have embossed the drink in the cup. This and the lovely boxer basic grey papers make up the basic grey element of this 2 for one. I also added some swirls I am loving swirls at the moment.

Arty Girlz challenge - Use a verse or a quote

I have made this candle using elusive images stamps. The quote is "Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom" I think I may give it to the headteacher who is retiring at christmas.

I found this technique of using tissue paper to create an image on a candle. you have to stamp your desired images onto tissue paper. Colour the image and then place onto candle where you desire it to remain. Put greaseproof paper on top and heat with heatgun until wax melts over top of it. Then add a strip of coloured card and some ribbon. I embossed the card with a sentiment using my cuttlebug. The candle holder was 47p and the candle £1.50 so as you can see a cheap pressie in current climate.

I will now try to perfect the technique making these for family and friends using different stamps,colours, sentiments etc.

Craftaway a sunday/ This Thursday is all about - Heritage/ Metallics

I made this christmas card and Christmas is a real part of the heritage of this country as we are a christian nation. I was inspired by Heathers lovely winter card for last weeks craftaway a sunday challenge. I loved how she used a vintage image so I did that with my vintage father christmas. I covered him with tissue paper to create a vellum effect. I stamped onto some metallic card that had been embossed with the cuttlebug and used some paperartsy papers.

Arty Girlz Challenge - Blog inspiration

I made this card having come across the Paperartsy blog. http://www.paperartsy.co.uk/blog/blog.html

DCM - Birds,birds,birds

This week Daring cardmakers challenge is to use birds. I love robins on christmas cards so I made this one using dovecraft papers, some glitterboard and stardust pens. I added some stamping and matted and layered.

Tag you're it - Red and Green

I have made this a first time entry to Tag you're it. The theme is red and green. I created a background using glimmer mists a stencil and some stamping. I then added a tree embellishment I created and some brought presents. I stamped the sentiment using paperartsy stamps. I added some faux stitching a hole and some ribbon.

DCM - sponsered challenge sparkly and glittery

This is for the DCM challenge which in honour of fireworks night has a theme of sparkly and glittery. I am furiously making christmas cards from now until christmas. I downloaded these vintage angels free from http://www.craftycomputerpapers.co.uk/. I made a background using acrylic paper, a copper paint and created a texture using a comb. I then glimmer misted. I then distressed a diecut bauble and added a few sparkly bits and a hanging bit. I cut out a frame from the front of an old card and made a collage with the angels and various knick knacks from my stash. I then added some stardust pen highlights for the bling and glitter. The prize for this is a free download from charmed cards and crafts. I am really happy with my card. My twist on vintage!

cuttlebug challenge #6 - sketch

My first go at this challenge blog. I have been back and forth visiting many times and decided to join in now I am more confident with the cuttlebug.

Arty Girlz challenge #59 - Handrawn elements

Handrawn elements was the challenge for this week. Mine are on the flowerpot and around the edge of the card. I made the background using paints, PVA, glimmer mists and a comb and I think it gives a faux croc skin effect.

Basic Grey challenge - Christmas

Here is my entry for this weeks Basic Grey challenge. I used acetate and vellum to make a layered effect. I stamped and chalked on the vellum. All the stamps are from Paperartsy. I used the stamps on the"boxer" papers.

I have been having another naff week. I lost about 1000 photos as my computer had to be partially recovered! Very excited and proud for Lewis though winning his first Formula one championship with such style! OH seems better so that is , better news although his firm may close which is not good news.