Followers.... thank you xx

Thursday 28 March 2013

60's scooter

Hello,  happy Thursday to all.
 On Tuesday my friend Desi asked me to make a 60th birthday card for her brother-in-law, Peter. Her  brief was....  it must have his name and a scooter on the front... no pressure then!
Here's what I came up with.
What do you think, will they both like it?
The chevron stamp is part of a free set from a new stamping magazine called.. Get Stamping, scooter stamp is from Hobby Craft and the letters belong to a set from which I've lost the packaging. All stamped with Kaleidacolor: Spectrum. I used Glossy Accents on the scooter and letters. My Glossy Accent  is a bit discoloured cos I made the mistake of putting a hat pin in the top to stop it clogging .. but it went a bit rusty and coloured the glue... shan't do that again! but I think it looks OK. The banners are drawn freehand with a discreet 60 added.
 Bye for now
xx Suzi B xx

Monday 25 March 2013

Literature Inspiration.

Hi folks welcome to another challenge at MMM. It's Mynnettes turn to host and she would like us to be inspired by a Book called Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. The inspiration can come from 


the book cover or from the story.

A little bit about this story:
"The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders even in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys tended this garden. Their history was in the soil. But so were their futures. A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants - from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbour. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys - except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before. When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down - along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house they grew up in, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind, as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realise they must deal with their common legacy - if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom - or with each other."
 For my first card I chose the story for my theme

This lovely  Crafty Individuals stamp was given to me  by Carol to use for my DT piece for  The Cubby Hole Shop. It was just right for Mynnettes literary inspiration challenge.
I used Whispers Strokes direct to the stamp  then stamped onto water colour paper which had been spritzed with water.
 I highlighted with more colour and with a white highlighter pen here and there before distressing the edges, then shading with blue and green DI's before mounting onto a slightly larger piece of card which was also distressed.around the edges.
I made  the backing paper by laying a Crafters Workshop template over water colour paper and adding various colours of chalk with stubby, stiffish brushes.

I added the main image, a doily (I imagined having a nasturtian salad for tea ) die cut from Tim Holtz and flowers punched with the Martha Stewart hydrangea punch. then added the tiny bee... one of my favourite little freebies in a selection from Crafty Individuals..
 I think the apple trees are represented on my card  by the trees with the hearts... very special apples!.

 My second card is inspired by the Book Cover which I will also enter into
   LIM challenge. Use Beads
although I'm not sure Chrissie and Jen will think it fits the bill... here's hoping
I used the same template and chalk but this time onto black card then embossed with the Craft Concepts Dandelion Whispers. Cut the butterflies from a Joy Crafts die from the left over DP from the first card. which had also been over stamped with a script.


I sprayed the DP and the butterflies with Plasti-kote gold glitter





I used a small gold hat pin with gold seed beads for the lager butterfly's body and used gems for the smaller ones
 Here's the book cover.

Pop across to MMM to see the wonderful inspiration provided by the team.
 I'm out with some of my girl friends today celebrating my birthday which is tomorrow ...you know the usual, a little bit of shopping, a little bit of coffee, a little bit of food and a little drop of wine!! we go on the train... so no one has to abstain... good hey? Then tomorrow I'm out with another girlfriend! how lucky am I..lots of lovely friends.
 take care
xx Suzi B xx....

Monday 18 March 2013

CAS Monochrome challenge at MMM

Good morning, happy Monday to you all... and being Monday  it's time for another challenge at Make My Monday. Jacqueline our lovely leader would like to see a Clean and Simple card or paper craft project in
 MONOCHROME
using  varying tones of one colour.
Hope you like mine
Main image: Dress Up from Paperbag Studios stamped with Vintage Photo DI onto white card that has been distressed with  DI's Tea Dye and Vintage Photo . The Kraft card layers have been given the same treatment. 
 I wrapped this gorgoues, ... well actually ...I don't know what its called but I love it. I'm hoping Carol from the Cubby Hole where I origanally bought it can get more. I'm calling it twine ribbon.
***
 This is what the "twine ribbon" looks like before I start "messin" with it.
It's about 4cm ("2 1/2") wide but I love cutting it down and using thinner pieces with lots of lovey frayed edges plus I pull out single threads which make fabulous knots and bows as seen on this card.

Do you like what this little minx has done to her hat? so now that her hat is OK she's putting on her lipstick!
***
Isn't she gorgeous?
Pop across to MMM to see the  inspiration provided by the rest of the team.. enjoy!!
 take care
xx Suzi B xx
Challenges
Moxie Fab World:  Ombre... graduations of the same colour from light to dark. Not sure this fits the bill, fingers crossed.
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge: Clean and Simple
Ink on my Fingers: Brown

Thursday 14 March 2013

Spots and Stripes

It's one layer week at LIM and Chrissie and Jen would like to see
 SPOTS and STRIPES
Here's mine.
Products/method
Designs by Ryn: patio Stone CM-T6. Stamped then masked before stamping ,
Judikins Large background stamp:2639J..  just at the bottom
Sakura jelly roll pens used to add colour.
Greeting...  I've forgotten where this is from...
15cmx 15cm black card base
I also randomly added colour onto the patio stone
Thank you for looking
xx Suzi B xx

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Mid Week Motivation at MMM

 Hello  and welcome  here's my mid week motivation for 
Hope it inspires you to join in with this weeks  heat embossing theme.
Products/ method
Stamps:  
Paper Artsy Hot Picks HP1011EZ,  and Diamonds/Script stamp 96756-P
Stamp Camp; background behind the flower and base layer
Pink Paisley: little star cluster on the base layer.

Distress inks: peeled paint, crushed olive,barn door, dried marigold, rusty hinge, vintage photo,     
                        squeezed, lemonade and mustard seed...... swooshed and swirled on every thing..

DP: Kaiser Craft Vintage Timeless
Stamping Up Whisper White pigment ink
Adirondack: Lake Mist dye based ink
Stampendous detail white EP
Word Stamps... unknown.
 Lace and pearls  from stash
Flower bud is  the dried centre of an orchid flower.



This is the base layer before adhering to 15x15cm card. Actually I added more DI's after this photo was taken.  I just kept adding different colours until I was happy with the results. I repeated this on three layers.
 I added some creamy/white lace before attaching to the card base.











Matting layer for the main image... showing the DP
Only just visible on the finished card.




hidden message ....  :)







Dried flower bud








Challenges
Crafts and Me: Ribbon and lace. I used lace.
Paper Pretties: Make your own background.
Its all about the vintage: Spring dreams with lace

Thank you for looking I would love you to join in with us .
 click here MMM .
xx Suzi B xx

Monday 11 March 2013

Turn up the Heat

Hi all,  we could certainly  do with some heat here in the UK  its  flipping freezing but in the hopes it will warm you up  ;) I would like to see you use 
Heat Embossing 
on your projects for this weeks challenge at Make My Monday 
here's mine
Products/method
Clearly besotted: Leafy Accents stamps and die. Embossed with green EP
La Blanche: Bloom. stamped with Vintage sepia, once onto cartridge paper and once onto acetate, embossed with clear EP, coloured and cut out 
Crafty Individuals: The little bee was a generous freebie
Hobby Craft sentiment
Derwent Inktense water colour pencils.
Clear and green Embossing Powder
Versafine Vintage Sepia. for the bloom, sentiment and bee
Viva Pearl Pen: copper. flower centre
I made a bit of a mess usingg the Pearl pen but I quite liked it so didn't feel the need to do all again! well the acetate bit ... which can be tricky  cos it's difficult to stop the stamp from sliding around.... managed in one take.. whew!  although not easy to See in this photograph I coloured both cartridge paper and acetate

Both layers of card and acetate can more easily be seen in this photo.

As usual we at MMM look forward to seeing your creations and as usual you will astound us with embossing variations.
 We are delighted to have three new DT members 
 Jaybee, Rosie and Laura 
  pop across to MMM to see all the DT's wonderful inspiration.
 have a good day, take care.
 xx Suzi B xx








Wednesday 6 March 2013

Wednesday Craft Group.

Hello to everyone and thank you to all my recent new followers, you are very welcome 

 I voluntarily run the craft group at an assisted living complex here in Crewe. This is the card the ladies made today.
Products/ technique
Stamps:
Personal Impressions: Tattered Butterflies. These were stamped directly onto the card then masked.
Clearly Besotted: Leafy Accents stamped three times in different directions over the masked  butterflies with  DI Peeled Paint.
Versamark: Onyx black
Diamond Glitter Glue
Sentiment from Tattered Butterflies
 Bling from stash.
 The butterflies were then stamped onto patterned DP, cut out, layered up but only with small amount of glue in the centre of the butterfly so that the wings... flutter :) Then a small amount of glitter glue swooshed over the wings.

Hope you like it... the ladies of the group loved it... One of them is not a crafter... (until now tee hee I think she may be on the slippery slope to saying "but I NEED it!") this is only the third card she's made... She made two one to send to a relative in America, who can't wait to see what she's been up to and one to keep cos she liked it so much and wanted to keep it... she was thrilled with her achievement... isn't that lovely.
 I really love the leafy accents from Clearly Besotted ... after I received the stamps I discovered that a die is available too... that came today (very quick service only ordered it yesterday) but too late to share with the group... watch this space ...
take care
xx Suzi B xx

Monday 4 March 2013

Nature Trail at MMM

Good morning... hope you all had a good week end. Did you manage to get out and about whilst the sun shone? ... that's for us in the UK.... the sight of the sun is rare indeed... the sad thing is we Brits love it!!! any excuse to to be out and about or just AL Fresco meals/picnics.  Ooh heck I'm getting carried away, it wasn't that warm.... I can dream!
 This week though the theme at Make My Monday
is
 Inspired By Nature 
 
 Here's mine, hope you like it. I had Spring in mind.... still dreaming :)
Products
Stamps:  Stampendous Cling Bird Frame
               Paper Artsy Nature USNT3
               Lisa Pevelka Love Letter.
Versamark Vintage Sepia.
Distress Ink Antique Linen....main image
Derwent Colour Soft pencils.
Cartridge paper.... main image
Kraft card
Blue card
Cream textured base card
Bits and pieces from stash.
Silicone glue.
I layered up the nest, then added some tiny little seeds that were in a nature type craft pack that I found ,ages ago in a charity shop. I coloured them with acrylic paint.. blue and whiet mixed. I put the paint into a jam jar lid ( I often use lids of various sizes and origins for glue, paint etc... very handy when you only need a tiny amount) I rolled the seeds in the paint with my fingers.  I think they look more authentic with some of the base colour showing through... authentic! who am I kidding!  I also added white feathers.

I shaped the eggs and added a broken Star Anise from the same pack as the "eggs" 
I like the fact that you can see the shiny seeds inside
Take a look at the DT's inspirational art .... see you soon, I hope :o)
Thank you for your kind comments it really does mean soo much!. I know lots of you look and don't comment....  but it's lovely to know that you came by... thank you.
 xx Suzi B xx










Sunday 3 March 2013

Neapolitan Ice Cream

That's what the colour challenge photo inspiration reminded me of over at Less Is More. even though the photograph used from Design Seeds is called Doughnut Dreams.
 Here's my interpretation
Products
Rubber Stamp: Hero Arts Wild Flower Garden
Whispers Stokes , TH Distress Markers used directly onto the stamp, spritzed with water, stamped onto cartridge paper.
Couture Creations Pure Pleasure embossing folder.
Seed Beads... an old favourite of mine for flower centres, I'd  forgotten how effective they are.
Twine
Sentiment from a selection of odds and sods that have lost their home  :(
Photo Inspiration
Enjoy your Sunday
I'm having a lazy day today... what again! I hear you say... yes well ... my bedroom had a thorough going over yesterday... I even threw stuff and filled a bag for the charity shop
thank you for looking
xx Suzi B xx

Whew! ... I've written this three! times now... first of all  I published it to the MMM challenge site... quickly "saved" it and then deleted the post... but only the list of products got saved for some reason. so wrote it all again on my blog.... then deleted it!!! ... don't ask me how ... I couldn't believe it!
so here goes for the third time... fingers crossed.

Friday 1 March 2013

Blue for IndigoBlu

 Hi folks and welcome to my blog.  I was recently perusing  IndigoBlu's  blog and noticed they've started a monthly challenge, the first one being... BLUE. It starts on the 21st of each month, so I thought I'd have a go...

Products.
IndigoBleu Anemone Corner.
IndigoBlu: Wild Meadow scroll
Versafine: Vintage Sepia.
VersaMark
Derwent Colour Soft pencils
Antiquities Detail Sparkle and Sprinkle EP266
Stampendous Shabby Blue embossing Enamel... disappointed that the blue didn't show all that much :(
Stamping all Day greetings tag
Seed beads.


  The first image was stamped directly onto the cartridge paper with Vintage Sepia the second image was stamped again with Versamark then heat embossed and the flowers cut out and mounted with silicone adhesive after being shaped.  Seed beads added to flower centres.

I used the corner scroll stamp from Wild Meadow on the  third layer... you can just see it peeping through.

Off to do some house work... which was my intention first thing this morning... but oh no I've been in the MR ... all day!  tut tut!! still better late than never...  feel I should have a coffee first  .. and Missi's feeling neglected, meowing  for attention... she's normally out and about but for some reason she wants to stay indoors! See still putting the dreaded HW off!.   ;o)
 Bye for now
Thanks for looking
xx Suzi B xx