Still doing Christmas cards

Mmmmm .... I wanted to produce minimal...Mmmmm didn't make it :) next time ...tee hee

tc

Sue xx

Adolescent Boys !

Its one of my grandsons birthday on Wednesday 22nd... I find cards for males quite a trial but adolescent boys!!! are even worse.. 

apologies to the male of the species :)

I was thinking about this card wondering what to do etc etc, I was getting desperate, Wednesday is fast approaching. I don't have many stamps suitable for teenage boys... me thinks I'll have to have a closer look at Stampotique!

Then I remembered my polka doodles

"Not for girls definitely for men" CD

whew! thank goodness... all the images and DP are from this CD.

I had decided to go with the black and white theme (trying to be cool insert wry grin)

It looked a bit dull, needed some colour so I added yellow

  ( hope this isn't a rival teams colours ... I know nothing! ) 

So now I am entering  it into the PDCCC colour splash ... which is black and white with a splash of yellow.

Hope your all keeping warm and safe..its minus 12 on my garden thermometer!
Sue xx

 The yellow is much brighter than is showing on the blog. 

It hasn't scanned well and its too dark  out side for a photograph

Traditional Christmas

 I've made this card with a tag I made at the beginning of Dec 

which used a Dezinaworld  download image. Its for my son and his partner ....  he likes traditional snowy scenes  It's not quite his thing but I'm hoping he likes it... I'm putting a bigger version of the Santa image on the inside so that his partners little girl can read the rhyme...it's a bit small on the front :)

Hope your preparations for Christmas are well under way.... mine aren't :(     loads to do!


I've entered this into Pear Tree Designs  challenge 30 .. Christmas
http://peartreedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/challenge-30-christmas.html

tc

Sue xx

Pistyll Rhaeder North wales

This is the wonderful Pistyll Rhaeder waterfall in the Berwyn Mountains in North Wales. It is a magical, mystical place at any time of year...if you've not guessed its one of my favourite places
The waterfall is 240' high and the tallest in the UK. I've used one of the close up photo's for my header... I hope you enjoy them ...

The photographs were taken by Joe one day this week. apparently the car park was a treacherously covered in ice.

tc
Sue xx

Waiting For Santa!...she's been a good girl

 

You know the stamps, you can see what I've done..nuff said...except that I can think of lots of ways of doing this card with glaze, charms, paper etc etc but this is a batch card.

It will probably metamorphose ( is there such a word?) as I go on.

I've entered this in the Tuesday Taggers "the stockings were hung" challenge.
See link in my side bar.

tc

Sue xx

Spray inks

I should never be let loose with sprays  cos I always over do it. My idea is to just have a smattering of paint  just where I want it! of course that never happens so instead of getting a fresh piece of card and doing it again  or saying I like that, I'll use it as it is ... I carry on & on spraying... I love the gentle smattering of colour idea...I will master it!

Enough moaning... here is a card I produced at the Cubby Hole at a workshop last Saturday. It was a last minute Christmas card W/S with Sarah Anderson. Sarah had some lovely cards for us to make and every one cracked on and produced a megalithic amount of wonderful interpretations of the cards. .. except me!!! I don't know what was wrong with my head but I just couldn't get going. I had a great fun time with fabulous people...but didn't really like what I produced... no change there then:))

It was a great day I really enjoyed it. Thank you to all the CH work shoppers, Sarah and CH owner Carol  who poor thing was pounced upon when the new  Stampotigue order arrived...it was a big box full of goodies!

Here's another one I did at home...just to prove what I mean...lol

tc
Sue xx

Just noticed the card looks a bit blue...it is white.

First time tag!

I've had a go at a collage type tag....not sure it's quite right so I'm relying on you talented people to give me the heads up!..

 I like the background It's a manila tag painted ....   ( well you know covered)  with gesso then when dry stamped with the snowflakes using DI faded jeans..

At the bottom of the Santa image is a lovely little rhyme...On Christmas day with luggage gay Father Christmas comes to stay.

The lovely father Christmas is from Dezinaworld (where you will find some fabulous images and more) http://dezinaworld.blogspot.com/2010/11/everyone-wins-prize-give-away-challenge.html  who is running an "Every one wins Challenge... " pop along and have a look at all the gorgeous inspiration.

Do you like the snow?...  the real bit :)

Added later same day:)

I've also entered this into Tuesday Taggers competition Ive been blog hopping and TT's challenge is to use Father Christmas so this fits the bill nicely. See link in my side bar.

This is a photo taken on the snow on my garden table... just to prove that we here in Crewe have had snow!... no where near as much as some of the UK...  we have not had any transport problems or school closure much to the disappointment of the children.



tc Sue xx

Brown, Grey and Silver PDCCC #57

I haven't been able to make  PDCCC for a couple of weeks and wasn't sure I'd make this one.. especially as I desperately need to make Christmas cards and I didn't think this colour combination would work... but it has... I like it!....

 Inkadinkado Clear Stamp
Anita's snow flake, music, Merry Christmas DP's from Classic Christmas Black paper pack.
7 gypsies Morocco journey brown DP
Silver Embossing Powder... No name on it
DI Frayed Burlap
Cuttlebug Snowflake
Bits and pieces from  the ever growing stash! :)

tc Sue xx

Cubby Hole Project

 Carol  of the delightful Cubby Hole craft shop in Crewe gave a few of us (design team lol)  one of the new 12x12 papers from PaperArtsy. Each of us had a different DP

 27.11.2010
Addition to original post
Apparently, just discovered this in Suzanne's blog,  (Teamie) :)) the Design Team is to be called...wait for it!...  Collaborative Craft Team Volunteers....CCTV's
  mmm volunteers?


Although I liked mine ... I hated using it... not my colours, didn't know what to do with it!! and the fact that I was..(am)  in a craft desert, didn't help!!.  So I kept things simple...  and then messed up!... but hey  ...you know what it's like... the good , the bad and the ugly!..  you get to see it all!

The images are stamped onto acetate and embossed with a glittery embossing powder... mistake! ... wasn't delicate enough. .The idea behind using acetate was an attempt not to obscure the DP.
 
If I'm not frozen in tomorrow I'll nip back to the Cubby Hole where I took the revamped card and take a photo of it.

For this one I decided to use the paper only, to illustrate that with lovely DP nothing else is needed!

I can't wait to see what the others come up with.. the projects will  probably be amazing! cos they are such a talented bunch!

tc Sue xx

Just want to say I am really sad and emotional that the Government is scrapping the Harrier Jump jet...it is my favourite jet! I remember seeing it on TV when I was a young woman I was  amazed and fascinated.. It stuck in my mind but I didn't see it until about 6yrs ago when I saw it at Cosford air show... I have seen it several times since. When  the pilot dips the front of the plane as in a bow to the crowd, at the end of his display... he's doing it just for me...  he  is!!!

This is a photo of the Harriers leaving Ark Royal for the last time.... so sad!!

Hope we remain safe and free from regrets and never have to say ... we  need an aircraft carrier with jets!....

 Sue xx

GORGEOUS... no not the pilot!

For Carol who loves owls

This is a belated... very belated birthday card for Carol of Cubby Hole fame. I'm not giving it to her until tomorrow... so I hope she doesn't do any blog hopping tonight.   I just wanted to show that I have been crafting!!  the other stuff I've produced I am unable to display cos they're for a Cubby Hole project.. don't think I'll be able to post them until the end of November. No doubt Carol will put me right about that :)
If you do see this Carol... I'll see you tomorrow xx (Tues)

I'm not happy with the composition... I always discover anomalies when its displayed on the blog!! too late then :))

tc Sue xx... phew a card at last!!

Inspiration!

No Mojo!, no crafty fairy, no muse, .... nothing going on in TMR... weeell.....lots in me head and lots of disastrous practises.... I'll reveal all when success happens ...lol.. I have managed a bit of colouring... very therapeutic!
 I know you're all enjoying some crafty time cos I've seen  all your wonderful projects. So thanks for the  inspiration... I'll keep at it. I haven't had such a long crafty dip for some time... hey ho that's how it is... and still no Christmas cards!! ... not even a whimper of an idea!!... ok ok may be an idea or two....

tc Sue xx

Embossed Metal Books at the Cubbyhole

 I had a great time at the workshop yesterday. I've never  worked with metal in this way...loved it! even though it did make my wrist and fingers ache! I had trouble getting the metal onto my book which is, The Tale of Tom Kitten by Beatrix Potter. In fact the metal already looks battered!! but I like it. I shall be adding bits and pieces to the inside of the book as I go along.

*****

This is the lovey Little Sue's book. I absolutely love this design....gorgeous.

There were 10 of us at the W/S and all produced very individual, fabulous designs. Unfortunately I didn't get more photos :(
 
 I believe the weather is getting stormy tomorrow so enjoy today! It's crisp and sunny here in Crewe.


tc Sue xx

Listening to Puccini...

No projects to show today. I've been working on a commission for a wedding card but its not happening! So I've put it to one side and will have another go on Sunday or may be tomorrow evening.
I enjoy listening to Puccini so am going to have a long soak  with  a glass of red wine and madame Butterfly belting out. Well as much as I dare before upsetting the neighbours.  I've misplaced my favourite Puccini CD... miss it very much. Its helped me through lots of sad, happy, melancholy times as well as helping me study :)

 Tomorrow I'm going to a  metal book workshop with Sarah Anderson at the Cubbyhole. I'll take photos!
tc Sue xx

For Ellen

A pretty card for a lovely little girl.
The digi image is from A day For Daisies

there are some gorgeous  images here I'll be buying more! ...
I  got the link  from Sarah Anderson.. http://sarahanderson1.blogspot.com/.
thank you Sarah...lovely stuff!
The DP are from Pink Petticoat
http://www.pinkpetticoat.co.uk/index.php
where you can also see some great digi designs.
*****

Thought you might like to see...

some wonderful Autumn pictures taken by Joe from the World Heritage Site of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct near Llangollen in North Wales. The aqueduct is 126' above the river Dee.

The Autumn colours are just fantastic!

 This is a photo gives an idea of how high  the aqueduct is. Can ou see the people walking on the tow path?  :)

*****

 Colour in my garden photos taken by me this week!

 

 The gorgeous Acer

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 Honeysuckle and Clematis in November!

tc Sue xx

PDCCC.... Colour splash

This is one of my favourite stamps from Elusive Images, stamped once in DI Black Soot and once in DI Aged Mahogany. The black image decoupaged with the red. DP from Papermania, Mono Capsule Collection. Black card punched with a Martha Stewart Doily punch
*****
 here's another one!

This time using  Inkadikado clear inches Bird stamps. stamped in Versamark then embossed in black. The red bird is stamped with DI in Aged Mahogany and clear embossed.The red card is also coloured with aged mahogany. I've had this idea (or something similar ) for some time but! I'm terrible at straight lines and lining stuff up...but decided to have a go any way lol.
 Had to scan it cos it's dark outside! might take a photo tomorrow.

This is the lovely colour splash inspiration photo but pop along to  PDCCC to see lots more inspiration. Click on the logo on my side bar.

tc Sue xx

Still not crafting :o(

 Still in the crafty doldrums!...life is up and down at the moment...So here's a couple of photos of a double rainbow which was over Crewe this week. It proves there are some benefits to a weather forecast that says sunshine and showers!

It was late afternoon so the light wasn't brilliant but I hope the gorgeous luminosity of the colours is evident. The  second rainbow was disappearing before my eyes so is only just visible. In fact the whole scene disappeared very quickly I think I was lucky to spot it through the window in time to grab my camera.

tc Sue xx

Happy 1st Birthday PDCCC

A couple of quick cards to help PDCCC celebrate their first birthday!

I loved this colour combination of pink, yellow and orange but found it difficult !?... how weird is that!

  Stamp: Penny Black mixed media

DP: Papermania Exquisite Paper Collection

Coloured with Whispers strokes, pale pink and pale lemon.

*****

:

Stamps: Stamendous Ruffled Bloom

Same DP as above

Card: DCWV Mat Stack Pastels

Cuttlebug Happy Birthday Embossing plate.

Coloured as above

Tc Sue xx


PS. I've changed the background to my blog (again) I love light flowing through doors and windows and although I liked the previous background it was a bit dark. One day I will find  a background that really suits me... I know I know I should have a go at doing my own....

Me a poet?...

My first crafty endeavour for some time ... I love playing with my steampunk journal so have enjoyed my self this afternoon doing just that..

Thank you to Suzanne, Val and Chris yesterdays comments helped! :)

Actually blog buddies all your comments help. 

I wanted to come up with a poem/ditty to say thank you.. but I got no further than:

When my creativity has deserted

my confidence reduced.................

I wanted it to be light hearted and funny ...but it just got serious 

may be you can do better lol!

tc Sue xx

Creative fairy?

A quick post to say Hi! I am here but my creative fairy has hidden away!  I think she's found a pretty box to hide in away from all the mess and crafty clutter so maybe if I get down to tidying/organising the MR she might decide to put in an appearance... watch this space.
tc Sue xx

For Jeanie!

 

It's my friends 60th birthday on 31st October. Jeanie as I'm sure you know by now lives in France. There's going to be a big birthday bash in France ( fancy dress optional! but Jeanie's got a big purple witches hat amongst other items of witchy clothing!) .not sure if I'm able to be there.. :(

At the moment Jeanie and her husband Bill are in the UK so I'll be having a dinner party on Saturday to celebrate!... me cooking!!!!! I used to do a lot of cooking and baking but these days I only nuke or wok! .. LOL.

 I'm hoping to replace the heart in the centre of the web with a spider of some kind. I don't have a spider stamp, charm, sticker etc.Yet !

tc Sue xx
ps no fear of Jean seeing this card before her B/D

Tearing and lace! PDCCC

It's a long story how this card developed... Suffice it to say, I was playing during the day, couldn't sleep in the night so carried on playing, this is the result.

Materials
DP: from Artylicious Seasons Greetings CD printed onto water colour paper.
Glimmer mist: Lily Pad
Sticky Fingers Spray: Grass Green
Glimmer screens: Winter Trees which didn't quite work  :)
Lace: Ribbon Girl
Bells: Dunhelm Mill

PS I'm plucking up the courage to add some stitching ... faux or real, does it need any?.. what do you think?

tc Sue xx

Too late!

This page in my journal has been waiting for attention for some looong time. I thought it would suit the PDCC this week... but I only finished it today so too late to enter.. actually I only started it today ;) but continued with the PDCC theme cos the base which  was created from the waste left over on wet wipes  was just the right colours (ish) for this weeks PDCCC.

The images and sequin waste are stamped in brown Stazon but I must say it all looks black!  I've also used brown fine liner around the words. The gold metal are bits I've rescued from what was an experiment that went wrong.. lack of knowledge on my part! I still don't know quite how to use the metal!! I can't wait for the next metal workshop with Sarah Anderson at the wonderful Cubby Hole here in Crewe.
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PS The page is not as dull as it appears!

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For a new baby boy called William

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tc Sue xx

Whew!!!... 34mins to go for The PDCCC

 

and all because I couldn't sleep!

I'd been playing with paints at the beginning of the week ( see below) intending to enter the PDCCC. Family events over took me and nothing came of it. Then whilst I was tidying my craft space at 02.30ish!! I looked at the papers and thought I'll see what I can do.  If it was too late to enter at least I'd had a go... plus keeps me from tidying!!

Lo and behold there was 34mins to go before entry submission closed... talk about skin of yer pants!

***

UPDATE

I've now added it to a white base card. Its not scanned very well.. I'll take a photo later when there's more daylight.

*****

New photo

You can just about see the silver Glimmer Mist spritzed onto the dark blue.

Whats left of the swooshing and spritzing, I coloured both side but I'm sure you don't want to see any more. Take note of the piece  at the bottom left... nearly mud!.. I'm so good at mud :)) 

***

 Think I'll go get a coffee ... don't think I'll get back to sleep now :)

Tc Sue xx

Just because!

I love this stamp..only bought it last week!!.. I have been dying to use this "ribbon"? don't know what it is but I love it. It goes well with Kraft card which I  also like using . I like the black and white look with the Kraft card.

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This is a commission.. it's the sort of card I used to make when I first began  with this obsession!  I've learnt so much since those first stumbling beginnings... mind you I still stumble along...








Tc Sue xx

The Worlds Biggest Coffee Mornig

 

Carol owner of the Cubby Hole organised the coffee morning in support of MacMillan Cancer relief on Friday and Saturday.These are my make and take cards with inspiration from Suzanne Brookfield..see her blog...Scrappy Suzanne on my side bar ... for some wonderful inspiration.

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and this is  a magnet bookmark from the inspirational Sue Roddis.. see her blog also on my side bar.. Jabberwocky.

Oh blow! will have to finish this later ... family problems... need to dash!.

I've also had scan problems !will sort out later.... life's a riot! :)
Sue