The Making Room

Losing Google Friends Connect

2012-02-15T19:51:00.001Z

Hi there crafty friends, it seems we are losing the google friend connect facility on the 29th of February I think it affects Wordpress and other blogging formats. I've signed up for the new Mr Linky Followers button, please sign up if you would like to stay following me:0) There is more information available HERE and thanks go to Crafty Musings Gay Peplow for telling us about this.

Please sign up I don't wont to lose all my faithful followers and I want to continue to follow you. xx

MMM week 36.Romance of course

2012-02-13T08:30:00.000Z

and Suzanne would like you to use die cuts of

Hearts and Flowers... both please

don't worry if you don't have any dies or punches we would still love to see your hearts and flowers creations.

We are being sponsored by Marianne designs this month and you could win this fabulous prise.

Pop along to Make My Monday to see some of the DT's great inspiration pieces.

We look forward to visiting your blogs to leave comments and we love it when you give us feed back... thank you.

here's mine ... which is quick and simple.

I used a Marianne Creatable Die LR0192 for the flowers aka Dandelion seed heads and punched hearts to interpret the blown seeds... instead of 1 a clock 2 o clock its.. he loves me he loves me not
(poetic licence... grinning face).

I adhered DP from an Amy Butler K&Co paper pad (626546 I think that's the right code it is very small print) to thin card so that the die cuts were a bit more solid and adhered to the card with sticky fixes to rais them up from the card base.
The background is from the I Brake for Stamps Plate 1003 I deliberately didn't stamp too hard in the middle of the design so that the flower heads showed up more.... oh yeah! insert wry grin...

Enjoy your day and take care
xx suzi b xx

Happy 1st Birthday LIM

2012-02-08T11:18:00.000Z

For LIM first Anniversary Chrissie and Mandi are back to a repeat of their inaugural challenge which for the first Saturday of the month is colour... and this time they have chosen

AQUA

here's my entry

The images are from LOCAL KING RUBBER in Canada I first saw the little chick on a card by the lovely and uba talented Gay Peplow of Crafty Musings

I love all the images in this set so had to buy it! thank you for the link Gay. It arrived very quickly and the postage was reasonable ... I'll be back :)

I stamped the square with ColorBox, aqua then over stamped the flower image first in an old jet black Stazon and then with fingers crossed went over it with Versa Color, Turquoise... whew! it achieved the effect I wanted... to help the flower pop a bit. I then did the same with the little chick... there are two sizes of chick in the set.

The sentiment is a slightly darker than I wanted ...but I doubted being able to achieve the line up again so left as is ... ;)

Take care
xx suzi b xx

MMM week 35

2012-02-06T11:08:00.006Z

This week sees the brginning of a new month of challenges at
Make My Monday with the theme of

ROMANCE
picked by Suzanne... who is a real romatic :)

so to begin the month the first week starts with

LOVE LETTERS - SCRIPT OR VERSE.

I decide to try and have a go at a romantic type collage...mmm but I'm not too sure about it lol. I was determined to us the blue envelope (download from The Graphics fairy) don't ask me why... some Freudian thing about romance probably... tee hee. The stamped images and script are all from Non Sequiter, Across The Miles and Affairs of the Heart.

This is a quick post cos I'm running late

a. for the DT post and

b. visitors will be here any minute.... and I need to make myself look presentable.

If there is any thing you wish to know about the work please ask and I'll reply in the comments.

Marianne Flower Die

***

because I was unhappy with my main project I did another... this morning! hence running late.

Now some important news... take a look!!

is our sponsor this month and this is the Prize... how cool is that !

Must dash.. but as usual I look forward to seeing your artiness!

take care

xx Suzi b xx

Challenges

The Cheerful Stamp Pad romance is in the air.
Crafty Bloggers Network Pink and Blue..... a bit tenuous I think :)
Crafty Boots Challenge Valentines
Snazzy's Design Team Love and romance.

Walking in Haslington

2012-02-02T08:56:00.000Z

Morning folks it's bloomin cold here in Crewe frosty but no snow. I thought you might like to see a couple of photographs I took whilst out walking with a friend on Sunday. Even though it was a really overcast dull day the photo's are ok...ish lol. hope you like them.

I like the reflection in this one

My friend thought this looked like a cat climbing the tree.

I thought it looked liked a mysterious imp diving into the underground! tee hee.

Haslington Hall a typical historical Cheshire building.

take care see you soon

xx suzi b xx

LIM Week 52 Sketch

2012-02-01T14:18:00.001Z

I didn't want to miss the final week of year one at LIM.. I have managed to enter almost every week... almost :(
Since I was there at the beginning I really wanted to be here for the last! of the year that is ... I'll be there for the next year.. I hope

All I've used for this card is a Provocraft Tree Die, chalks, Martha Stewart Hydrangea Punches, border and flowers and a sentiment from Chocolate Baroque (formally Elusive Images) Snowdrop Script. I then added Viva Pearl drop gold to each flower.

I had lots of trouble getting a decent photograph!! the card is bright white and in the photos it looks quite blue... on this one I've tried to show the true colours with the help of Photoshop... didn't help really.. my lack of skill with both camera and Photoshop lol

Hope this card qualifies for LIM cos there's such a lot going on on the main image :)

have a good day
tc xx suzi b xx

Make My Monday... Butterflies & Dragonflies

2012-01-29T23:56:00.003Z

Butterflies and or Dragonflies... how nice is that... a lovely theme for the last of

January's challenges at Make My Mondays

This is a very simple card using Stampendous Jumbo Rosehips, Lindsey Mason Tattered Butterfly the little sentiment is from Inkadinkado Special Thoughts.
I stamped the butterflies with DI Vintage Photo onto card that had been sprayed,and swooshed with various colours of Glimmer Mist and Sticky fingers inks, cut out and adhered to butterflies that had been stamped and cut from cream card.

The rose hip image was stamped with the same ink directly onto the card then painted with the spray inks which I'd mixed on a craft sheet, Whispers Strokes and Derwent Inktense pencils. then added a tiny amount of Glamour Dust to the flowers.

I used glossy accents on the little greeting then threaded onto natural, fine jute twine

Hope you like my butterfly card don't forget to check out the DT's fabulous inspiration at

Make My Monday Challenge Blog

The standard of entry to last weeks challenge made life very difficult for the DT to choose just three.. again! so keep up the good work. There are some challenges to come that you'll simply love.

take care and enjoy your day

xx Suzi B xx

Challenges

Anything Goes: Make it Monday

VictorineStamps: Victorine Originals: Anything Goes

LIm week 51 Theme. Cut it Out

2012-01-25T15:41:00.002Z

Chrissie and Mandi of LIM fame would like us to make a card with an aperture...not my favourite thing! ..but had a go and here's mine.

I 've had a little play in photoshop to try and show up the cream of the card. The original photo is at the bottom of the post.

I stamped the butterflies from TH Papillon onto the base card with DI Vintage Photo, coloured with Faber Castell crayons then cut out the wings. I then cut out an aperture in the top card just slightly smaller than the image . The aperture and the card are edged with Promarker,Tan. the Promarker has soaked into the card a bit and looks smudgy in places but i quite like it.

Here you can see the aperture with the wings of the butterflies and moths lifted out.

Close up view of the wings

I would have preferred to stamp directly onto the card with the greeting but I'd already stuck down the top card to the base! with sticky pads to raise it up a bit... It would've been an uneven servise to achieve a good result..perhaps I aught to have left off the greeting :)

This is the untidy inside ... will cover it with some card to hide it! lol

the light is not good for photography at the mo so not the best photographs. the card is actually a soft cream but it's showing more like white

Enjoy your day
take care
xx Suzi B xx

Challenges
Simon Says Stamp Challenge. Anything Goes

Welsh St Dwynwen, saint of lovers and friendship

2012-01-24T21:29:00.003Z

St Dwynwen’s Day

Did you know that Wales has its very own Valentine’s Day?

It’s called St. Dwynwen’s Day and it’s unique to Wales. So if you want to celebrate a romantic day together without the commercialism, or share your Welsh heritage,Wednesday 25th January is the day to do it!

The Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers.

Dwynwen, a 5th century princess, was one of 24 children fathered by the King of Wales, Brychan Brycheiniog of Brechon (Brecon). Her father refused to allow her to marry her true love, Maelon Dafodrill, as he had already betrothed her to someone else. Dwynwen fled to the woods and begged God to make her forget her love for Maelon. While she slept, an angel gave Dwynwen a magic potion to cool her love for him.

Unfortunately, her lover Maelon, who had come looking for her, also drank the same potion and his heart was so cooled he turned into a block of ice. Dwynwen was horrified and prayed again to God, who answered her prayers by granting her three wishes.
Her first wish was to have Maelon thawed and for him to forget his love for her, as they could never be married; her second, to have God look kindly on the hopes and dreams of true lovers whilst mending the broken hearts of the spurned; and her third was for her to not marry the man her father had chosen, but to devote the remainder of her life to God, as thanks for saving Maelon.
Dwynwen later became a nun and settled on Ynys Llanddwyn — a small tidal island off the west coast of Anglesey in north west Wales — founding a church there. Her most well known saying was “Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness”. After her death she was declared a saint and ever since, Welsh lovers have prayed to St Dwynwen, asking for her help in marrying their true love, or for forgetting a false lover.

Traditionally, St. Dwynwen’s Day is celebrated by giving and receiving lovespoons. The Welsh lovespoon dates back to the 17th century when young men would carve them from a single piece of wood, decorate the handle with romantic symbols and then give them to the lady who had caught their eye. The earliest surviving example, dating from around 1667, is on display at the Welsh Folk Museum in St. Fagans, Cardiff.

This article was found via a Google search, not written by me :)

Llanddwyn Island and Newborough Forest

One of my favourite places.

St Dwynwen's cross

Hope you like this bit of Welsh folklore and I wish you

a very happy St Dwynwen day

for whatever reason you might need her. :)

take care

xx Suzi b xx

Make My Monday.. Flowers and Leaves

2012-01-23T08:30:00.003Z

Morning everyone, hope you had a good weekend and are raring to go .. at crafting any way lol.
This week at Make My Monday, still under the main theme of Nature we would like to see some

flowers and leaves.

This is mine...hope you like it.

I used Anemone corner from IndigoBlu as my main image stamped onto water colour card.. The flowers are coloured with Whispers Strokes... a favourite of mine again at the moment. I then stamped onto vellum with Versamagic and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer, Viola Black Aurora.. its a bit darker than I wanted but decided to continue with it. I coloured the back of the vellum image with whispers again and attached to the card with Pin flair glue. As the vellum is coloured it curls and so gives shape and depth.. mind you it curled the wrong way.. ha ha worked out ok in the end.

I distressed and inked the edges of the card with Dusty Concord DI and mounted onto another distressed card slightly bigger... and so on and so on...lol.

The DP is from the Essence of Nature CD by Chocolate Baroque (formally Elusive Images) the flowers were blinged up with Glamour dust

Added a bit of bling, ribbon, a tag sentiment and a couple of punched leaves.

The ribbon looks quite blue in the photograph but it is lilac.

As usual I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs to leave comments on your lovely work.

I was so impressed with all the sceneic entries last week .. you were amazing ladies!.. don't think there were any males ;) It was really difficult to choose just three..

I'm out early this morning meeting up with three friends for a shopping and lunch trip to Chester.

See you later.

take care

xx suzi b xx

Challenges

Make It Monday Always anything goes
Truly Madly Crafty Challenges Anything Goes

Mojo Void

2012-01-19T10:42:00.000Z

No crafting going on here so Missi claimed the desk for a nap! so thought I'd share it with you.

There's an empty space where my mojo should be even after seeing amazing inspirational pieces of art on your blogs. I'm hoping to achieve some thing today. Good or bad I'll share it with you... you might all be groaning if its horrid! :o).. fingers crossed I can get going.. even Puccini's Madame Butterfly hasn't done it.

Wishing you a happy day.
xx suzi b xx

Week 32 at Make My Monday

2012-01-16T10:27:00.000Z

Good morning every one, it's crispy white and sunny here in Crewe which could inspire a "scene" for this weeks challenge at Make My Monday.

This week following the over all theme of

NATURE Fliss would like us to

Create a Scene

here's mine.....

I used Creative Expressions Create a Scene: Coast stamps. did this make it easier?...NO!.. this was a real challenge for me I think I need to attend art classes..lol.

The boat image was stamped onto a water colour postcard (I intended making a collage of bits and pieces saved from yer hols etc with the post card being the main image... mm mm ! ) I deliberately left the boat with white bits (cream actually) showing through..makes it look a bit battered ;D. I stamped the seagull onto the card then again onto paper and cut him out and stuck over. I know it's a him cos he looks cross...females never look cross, do they?!

Products Used

Creative Expressions: Coast rubber stamps

Chocolate Baroque (formerly Elusive Images) sentiment from Summer Poppies

DI's: Broken China, Stormy Sky,Shabby Shutters and Walnut Stain.

Whispers Strokes

Starfish... no idea where I got them. You know what it's like when you're out and about you buy all sorts that just might come in handy and they nearly always do :o)

The DT have achieved some amazing inspiration for you .. take a look. Don't forget the over all theme of NATURE when you make your scene and I don't mean a photograph of you having a strop in Tesco!

Enjoy your day

xx Suzi B xx

Predominantly Purple at LIM

2012-01-10T15:34:00.003Z

I've used TH Visual Artistry cling stamps .....Boundless Flight apart from the birthday sentiment and I can never remember where this came from. ;o( Apart from the LIM theme of purple the inspiration for this card came from some tissue paper that a Christmas gift was wrapped in ( thank you Cubby Hole Carol)

I stamped the butterflies and moths in Versafine Onyx Black onto the tissue paper and placed the tissue over the stamped scroll and pasted over it with watered down PVA. Once it was dry...well almost , never one for patience when it comes to craft/art! lol I added other bit of stamping and the quote.
Then I made a mistake at the top of the card ...pulls face... so I cut the bottom half off and added it to a second card ... hence the ribbon! and sentiment. I wish I'd put the sentiment in the middle... I'm now thinking what to add to balance it out... or should I leave it? I also think it's now more rather than less b***a ! lol

The tissue paper has a lovely shimmer to it (glimmer mist or something like that) The tissue is quite thick so the edges didn't disappear but I quite like the effect and the fact that you can see the scroll image through it.

I'm working on my little net book with a dongle which is a little frustrating but at leas I have some on line access whilst I wait for a new router from Talk Talk. it might mean I wont have much on line time to visit your blogs,,, sorry :o( come on TalkTalk get a move on
take care
xx Suzi B xx

Challenges
Stampalot .... Monochromatic.

Animals... at Make My Monday

2012-01-09T08:27:00.001Z

Under the heading of Nature..... Animals is the sub theme this week at

Make My Monday week 31.

My first card uses the cute freebie puppy dog stamp from Craft Stamper magazine. I stamped directly onto the card then placed a mask over the top before I stamped the flower images from Katzelkraft no. KTZ08

which placed the flowers behind the naughty puppy! The other flower image is stamped on its side as if trampled by the puppy so that he could grab a bloom as a prezzie for his mistress lol.

The puppy is coloured with Promarkers, the flowers with Staedtler coloured pencils. the little flowers were part of a pack that the lovely Lesley (Crafty Mamma) sent me.Thank you Lesley x.

.This card is from Polka Doodles CD Rom ... Back to Nature shes a very contented pig lol.

I have very limited IT access at the moment ,,,but hopefully I'll be able to get over to your blogs to see your animal creation.... go on "go wild"... ha ha .

take care

xx Suzi B xx

For Ellie

2012-01-06T14:02:00.001Z

This card is for my Granddaughter who will be 11yrs old on Sunday. She doesn't blog hop so no fear of her seeing it. I used another Cemerony image from a set of beautiful female images bought from the Cemerony eBay shop. The DPs are from a 5th avenue book of papers.

I think I've gone over the top! lol hope she likes it.

The decoupaged ballerinas with a touch of glitter... Ellie recently started dance classes. Which includes ballet along with modern and tap dancing.

Something you don't know about me lol. I used to help teach at a dance school... I can shuffle, hop, tap! can't stand on me points though! :D

A glittered crown. I might be adding a bit more glitter to the flowers... I think ... you know how it is.

Thought I'd share these with you.

The wind of Tuesday night did this! loads of dents and scratches but nothing major. In the scheme of things no great disaster but it upset me :o(

This morning Missi decided to investigate the inside the wooden garden divider.

Here she is "wood walking" she steers clear of walking on the stones whenever she can!

Hope you're all well, and that you haven't suffered any effects from the ravages of the weather.

tc
xx Suzi B xx

Week 30 at Make My Monday

2012-01-02T09:59:00.011Z

Morning all welcome to the first challenge of 2012 at
Make My Monday.

the January theme chosen by Fliss is

NATURE

and to start us off Fliss would like us to use

BIRDS

Here's mine

This is an 8x8 card... my first attempt at this size. I've seen lots of inspirational art work using this size so thought I'd try it. Hope you like it.

The main image is a freebie download from
Cemerony Share There are some gorgeous images on this Blog. Julia also sells art work on Etsy.

I like the way this bird from Crafty Individuals CI-256 is taking flight off the card.

The Air mail is from one of CI's freebie packs which I received recently with an order... thank you CI

The other little bird and the words are from a lovely set of Inches...
can't remember who makes them :o(

The round image is from the download.

The bird on a branch is from Stampers Anonymous.

The feather stamp is from Impressive Images Essential Elements coloured with DI's. You can just see some script which also came from this set.

I cut out the birdcages on the smaller images .. They were re sized before printing.

The birds in the grass image and the sentiment are from PaperArtsy.
I used several DI's to make the background and to colour the stamped images.

The little collection of post cards is also from Impressive Images.

Pop across to the MMM Challenge Blog and see all the DT's inspirational art work and the gorgeous stamps Fliss has donated for the January winner.

As usual I look forward to visiting your blog to see your interpretations.

Blogger has been playing up during this post... it's made this post a bit of a pain to complete... but alls well... nearly.

Take care and very best wishes for 2012.

xx Suzi B xx

Challenges

Something old something new at Simon Says Stamp and Show..... New DI's and Air Mail stamp
Anything Goes The Pink Elephant
Anything goes plus distressing at Craft your Passion
Anything Goes Ink on My Fingers Sunday Stamper

New Challenge Blog 52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown

2011-12-31T10:47:00.002Z

Wasn't sure I was up to another Christmas card... but then again whilst its fresh in mind and there's stuff still lying around of which this Poinsettia image was one so this was a very quick card made in a jiffy this morning.

Here's how the poinsettia was made. Think I first saw this on C& C not sure..... was ages ago. I just happen to have the stamp...

Some close ups

I'm not sure I'll be able to join in every week... but I'll give it a go. Thank you to Jacqueline and Mynette for setting up the challenge.
tc
xx Suzi B xx

Just to prove

2011-12-30T15:59:00.003Z

I'm still here!

and here's a quick card using a lovely freebie image from

Cemerony Share.

I've been looking through my PC at some of the wonderful images I've downloaded

... and never used :o( how sad is that?!

Let me know which background the cards are on you prefer? the dark one or the delicate lace one? I'm trying to make my photos a bit more interesting... think I have a long way to go :o)

I would like to wish all of you a happy, healthy 2012.

Thank you for visiting and leaving encouraging, friendly comments I really do appreciate each and every one. I promise to try to visit your blogs more frequently and leave comments...

take care
xx Suzi B xx

Happy Christmas

2011-12-22T08:50:00.002Z

Wishing you all The Best Christmas and a wonderful 2012

Thank you for visiting I look forward to seeing you all next year!

xx Suzi B xx

Week 29 at Make My Monday

2011-12-19T08:30:00.011Z

is to make a Seasonal Tag.
Here's mine

The image is one of my favourites from Dezinaworld and I have to admit it is practically an exact copy of one I made last year.. naughty me :) but I love this image and the sentiment. The image has been resized before printing.

the sentiment says;

On Christmas day with luggage gay

Father Christmas comes to stay.

I think it's really lovely.

I remember feeling for the tangerines in the stocking

at the end of my bed

thats what this image reminds me of..

Childhood Christmases.

All the products used are various bits and pieces that were lying around my desk and I'm so sorry I can't remember which snowflake stamp I used for the background.The tag began life as buff coloured which was painted with a thin layer of white acrylic paint then stamped with the forgotten snowflake stamp in broken china. I used a Provo Craft cutting die for the large torn snowflake. I added bought snowflakes and torn bits of Christmas music.

This is the card I made with last years tag... just to prove the new tag slightly different lol

I know this time of year is hectic and we're all dashing around doing six jobs at once but I hope you get time to join in at Make My Monday and I look forward to seeing your tags. Take a look at what my fabulous team mates have done with their tags ...
take care
xx Suzi B xx

Sunday Stamper Challenge Santa Claus

With candy!

LIm One Layer Card Let It Snow

2011-12-13T15:45:00.003Z

Products Used
Crafters Workshop Mini Winter Wonderland 6x6 Template
Sponged over with DI Broken china
Over stamped with Broken china using snowflake stamps from Angel and Trees stamp set from Chocolate Baroque (formally Elusive Images)
Let It Snow Stamp from the ever faithful See-D's Holiday words and sayings stamped in Broken China
Sprayed with Plasti-kote glitter (With the window wide open Brrrr)

Hopefully you can see the glitter

with or without sequins?

Take a look at all the wonderful samples done by Chrissie, Mandi and of course all the other LIMettes

Let me know which you prefer... as if you wouldn't lol. I prefer it with sequins ....although the photograph isn't so good ...

Other Challenge
Chocolate Baroque White Christmas.

Take care
xx Suzi B xx

Make My Monday week 28

2011-12-12T08:40:00.001Z

At MMM this week Jacqueline would like us to use

RED RIBBON on our Seasonal Anything Goes Projects.

Here's mine.

I've used the tree from an Artemio set, one of my favourite set of Christmas stamps, especially the tree.
I stamped directly onto plain white card stock with Adirondacks Meadow, stamping off onto spare card first to to achieve a lighter shade for two of the trees. I added icicles Stickles to ground the trees then with my finger lightly brushed each tree with a tiny amount of stickles. I used Christmas Red Stickles on the tree in the foreground. A tiny sliver of the Icicle Stickles was added to the edges of the white card which was mounted onto slightly larger red card then mounted to the right of the green card 14.5 x 14.5cm. The red ribbon and silver cord was attached to the left of the card before it was mounted onto a white card finally I added a little "shrinkie tree". The sentiment is from See-D's Holiday Words and Sayings... such a useful set :D
Pop along to the Make My Monday challenge blog to see all the fabulous inspiration from the talented DT .

Every one is busy at this time of year rushing hither and thither doing six things at once... so take time out, sit and enjoy your favourite cuppa (black coffee for me) close your eyes and B R E A T H E there don't you feel better? lol
take care see you soon
xx Suzi B xx

Make My Monday week 27

2011-12-05T08:30:00.008Z

Good morning

and welcome to the new challenge

at Make My Monday

the theme for December is

Seasonal...... Anything Goes
By seasonal we mean Advent, Christmas and other faith festivals, New Year, Winter etc

and we start week one with GLITTER!

Here's my glitter creation I decided on a Christmas card.

The main image is from Peerless Designs Yesteryears Christmas Edition CD rom. I may have mentioned before that I love Christmas roses ;o)

The image was printed twice, the flowers decoupaged then sprinkled with a fine glitter called Candy Floss over the parts I had covered with a glue pen.

The backing paper is part of a Websters Page 12x12 DP (had it ages, loved it, didn't want to cut it! ) which I over stamped with a snowflake stamp using Versafine.

I cut around parts of the foliage with a craft knife, then threaded the ribbon through. The Image is mounted onto a base card which has been embossed around the edges with Sprinkle and Sparkle Guilded Ivory EP then placed onto the DP with the foliage overlapping. I pleated a little more ribbon and added the sentiment .

Hope you can see the glitter.

Thank you to every one that joined in last week... you made some awesome boxes!

It goes without saying that I am looking forward to seeing your glitter creations
SEASONAL... any thing goes!
as long as you use GLITTER
so the worlds your "lobster"!! lol.

My Christmas card is a bit of a change for me cos I prefer traditional colours at Christmas..you know red, green and gold but I just loved this image and the DP so went for a complimentary colour theme.

Challenges
Come and Get it. Anything Christmas
The Emerald Faerie Garden Christmas Non traditional colours

Have a great week see you in Blogland

xx Suzi B xx

Added later.
Just to avoid any confusion... there is only one layer of DP but because I cut out part of the papers design ie
foliage I was able to put the topper behind the cut outs and thread the ribbon behind on both the L and R sides. this has given the illusion of layers. I should take progressive photos.. :o( xx

LIM week 44 Colour

2011-12-03T13:10:00.004Z

Chrissie and Mandi of LIM fame want us to use the colour GREEN in this weeks challenge.

I intended this card for another challenge but it fits so well for week 44 it's too good to miss...

I shall have to get my thinking cap on for the other challenge but I have a few days to sort that out.

The mistletoe is from Christmas Follage by Chocolate Baroque

( formally Elusive Images) coloured with Promarkers the cut out with a craft knife.

The gold berries are made with Viva Pearl Pen sprinkled with gold glitter whilst wet..

The sentiment is from a See-D's Holiday words and sentiments set

stamped with Versafine then embossed with gold EP.

I threaded the wreath through the ribbon before adhering the ribbon to the card. The green card is mounted onto slightly larger gold embossed card then onto slightly larger of same green card.. do you get all that :D course you do!

I'm hoping this photo gives a better idea of the glitter and gold it proved to be difficult so this is lots of photos later!
Have a great weekend. See you Monday with the Make My Monday Challenge which is the beginning of new themes for a new! month :D
take care xx Suzi B xx
Challenges
The Artistic Stamper Christmas
Clearly iStamps Christmas

Week 26 at Make My Monday

2011-11-28T08:00:00.016Z

Morning everyone time for a new challenge at MMM. Thank you to all the people who entered last weeks challenge with some wonderful creations. Looking forward to seeing your entries for this week which is...

Make or decorate a box.
It's called, oh yes it has a name lol, Bringing in the Tree

This could be any old box you have lying around that you can decorate or you can make one.

Here's mine It's for a little girl I know.

It was originally a gift box full of natural type toiletries saved from last Christmas.

Products used in the making of this little scene.

Tattered Angels Frosty Memories Glimmer Chips. These were in one of Chocolate Baroque's (formally Elusive Images) stash boxes and I'd forgotten all about them.

DecoArt Snowflake White acrylic paint... used to paint inside and outside the box.

Artemio Christmas tree stamp in the background

DI Stormy Sky in the BG

Stampendous Shabby White Embossing Enamel

Heat it Up Snowflake Tinsel EP

Versamark

Promarkers and Inkssentials Glossy Accents : on the lantern.

Bits and pieces from my stash...

Wish I'd put the tree on the R side so that the robin on the broom would be looking into the scene instead of away from it. If only I planned these things instead of just letting it evolve from the original idea.. you know how it is :D

Here's a couple more little boxes.

A pillow box from Pink Petticoat download ... a couple of years ago not sure if it's still available. It was part of a huge collection of patterns.. fabulous although I forget I've got it. I also used PP Christmas papers from Fairy Lights and Tis The Season download paper collections.

I printed both sides of the card with two different designs. The outline was printed onto the card which was to be the inside of the box.

This triangle box template was blog candy from PP

The inside of the triangle box..

As if you couldn't guess tee hee.

and this is Missi about to run off with it.. she loved the ribbon I had to rescue it twice. It's now well out of her reach!

There is some amazing Inspiration at the Make My Monday challenge blog can't wait to pop round your blogs to see what you come up with.. you always make some fabulous creations.

We are proud to announce two new members of the DT .... drum roll.....

Mynette

and

Val

welcome to you both.

Mynette and Val commence as DT members for the new MMM challenge in Dec which is only a week away.
It was a very difficult choice to choose between the applicants who all produced wonderful cards.

Take care

xx Suzi B xx

Challenges
Creative Inspirations Paint anything but a card.
Gingerloftchallenge Christmas/Winter
Craft your passion Tis the season.
Hookedoncrafts Winter Wonderland

Week 43 Recipe - A Bit of Bling

2011-11-27T23:25:00.001Z

Chrissie and Mandi want to see some

The photograph is terrible but if I wait until tomorrow that means coming into the Making Room in the morning and I've promised myself (threatened actually) that I must get some, shh whisper, HW done.

I get stuck into things when I get in ere! esp if ideas are rattlin around me ead!:D

This card is for a very special friend... I had been wondering what to do Then LIM showed me the light! although I started off with a Christmas theme ... looking through my stash gave me this idea.

I have no idea where the border stamp is from but I'm pleased the join is barely visible.. mind you bet you keen eyed LIMettes will see it! lol.
The sentiment is from Kaiser Craft Life Sentiments.The lovely ribbon is from a set or two I bought from a Chatsworth House gift shop. I think I've been very conservative with my bling hope it's enough... normally for LIM I'd be thinking "oh gosh is that too much!"

Enjoy your week
xx Suzi B xx
Challenges
Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog Clean and Simple.

The joys of crafting with a six month old kitten

2011-11-23T15:46:00.000Z

There was an almighty crash and this was the result of me forgetting to close the Making Room door when I left it... Missi is not allowed in there when I'm not... now you can see why... She loves roaming around and moving things with her paws and nose.. and me not being the tidiest crafter means there are lots of things for her to play with plus she disappears behind cupboard and drawers and goes to sleep... then I can't find her!!

Here she is on my bathroom windowsill... mmm angelic?!

Silouhettes at LIM

2011-11-22T10:47:00.002Z

Another attempt at silhouettes for LIM adhering to a definition of "Silhouette"

Wikipedia Dictionary:

The dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background.

Chrissie and Mandy have another definition on their LIM Challenge Blog which you can find here why not pop along and have a go.

Products.
Fourish and sentiment: U Mount Birds.
Flying Bird: Debbi Moore
Martha Stewart border punch.

Have a great day

xx Suzi B xx

MMM Week 25. Christmas foliage, flowers or snowflakes

2011-11-21T08:19:00.003Z

Mornin all you lovely people.. how ya doin?
Well what a lovely theme we have for you this week... even if I do say so myself... seeing as it was my choice

Take a look at the fabulous art work the DT have made to inspire you at Make My Monday

Here's mine

The image is a gorgeous download from either Graphics Fairy or Deezinaworld

( sorry I wasn't very organised when I downloaded this image I now have individual folders)

It's mounted onto silver holographic mirri card

Christmas Roses are one of my favourite flowers and these are in the Ivy set from U-Mount.They have been stamped onto one of the sheets from Anita's Christmas Silver Vellums then heat embossed with Heat It Up Snowflake tinsel EP. The roses where very difficult to shape ... the EP kept popping off! so they do look a bit flat.

The background paper is from Anita's Christmas Black Papers.

The leaves are a Marianne Creatables die.

They have also been sprinkled with the same EP

Here's a close up of the vellum flowers.

and this one shows up the sparkle... terrible photo but you get the idea..

The lace is from my stash bought from Carol at the Cubby Hole.

Have a great Monday followed by a happy week

take care

xx Suzi B xx

Challenges
Sparkles Forum Vintage Christmas
Daisy Doodles Christmas must use a digi.

Week 42 - Theme. Silhouettes

2011-11-19T14:42:00.002Z

Quick and simple... but I like it!

Pop over to LIM and join in the fun. Think I might have to do another :D

Close up of sequins and beads.

Have a great weekend... dark and dismal here :(

I feel another card coming on... or should I have a waltz around with the Hoover... No contest lol

take care Suzi B xx

Added later that same day : D
Oops! when is a silhouette not a silhouette?... when it's green!.. I'll make a "proper" silhouette tomorrow.
Sue xx

LIM Leaves .

2011-11-17T13:30:00.000Z

I was messin with this embossing folder and DI's. The ink was picked up with a hard stubby paint brush and stippled onto the card...what do you think? The photograph doesn't do the colours justice.. but thought you might like to see it.
I'll enter it to LIM but not sure it qualifies.
Enjoy today
xx Suzi b xx

Shhh Don't tell any one and LIM leaves

2011-11-16T13:56:00.002Z

I promised a friend, you know who you are ;D. I would blog the CAS cards that never made the grade there are one or two others in the bin!..

This one was intended for the Make My Monday challenge which this week is Christmas with the emphasis on the Sentiment... It didn't maker it cos I got glitter glue where it shouldn't be and the sentiment is wonky... I'm known for getting things wonky! lol

It's my turn to choose the theme for November which is Christmas with a different option each week. I got the idea for this weeks option from the LIM challenge which I love joining in with when ever I can... most weeks actually!

close up of the tree.

the card is mounted onto green card which is red on the other side... very Christmasy! spelling??

Now to LIM Week 41 One Layer - Leaves

This is the one that didn't make it!

and this is the one that did! lol even though Chrissie and Mandi might not be happy with the holly on the ribbon ...it's a charm ! I think I'll probably add some gems to the holly. Unfortunately the lovely glitter on the embossing isn't showing its Heat It Up Snowflake Tinse. the stamps are by Chocolate Baroque (formally Elusive Images)
take care and have fun
xx Suzi B xx

Make My Monday Christmas

2011-11-13T19:14:00.002Z

Mornin every one it's time for another Christmas challenge at Make My Monday and this week it's CAS (clean and simple) with the sentiment as the focus. Take a look at the fabulous inspiration the DT have done.

Here's Mine

It's a very simple card

I used the sentiment from Inkadinkado Christmas Silhouettes clear stamps and the the trailing flowers from the soaring reindeer around the edge stamped with aged mahogany. The flowers are Tattered Florals cut from shrink plastic and coloured with DI aged mahogany after shrinking. I then added Shabby White embossing powder by Stampendous to the flowers, the sentiment and the edges.

Have a great Monday I look forward to seeing your Christmas Cas cards.

Don't forget That Jacqueline is looking for two more members of the design team.. It's a great group to be part of and a every one is helpful and supportive. Go on have a go especially if you like challenges.

take care

xx Suzi B xx

Edited Tuesday15th.

Correction! The embossing was done with: Stampendous Shabby White Embossing Enamel! not embossing powder. It was applied with a Versamark watermark pen. Thank you Lynette for raising the query.

Sue x

The Craft Barn Blog Candy

2011-11-13T08:01:00.000Z

The Craft Barn is celebrating achieving 600 followers with some amazing blog candy.
Check it out here

Good luck.. I'd should say hope you win..but I want to ;D
take care
xx Suzi B xx

LIM Red and Orange no. 2

2011-11-10T13:38:00.000Z

Two quick cards for LIM

Red and Orange

Products
Marvy Blending Blox: shades of Orange
Personal Impressions Stamps Marion Emberson designs: On you Special Day
Natural twine pulled through the ink

Enjoy your crafting
xx Suzi B xx

LIm week 40 Red and Orange

2011-11-09T15:51:00.001Z

Oh gosh peeps I really struggled with this one! and I'm still not happy with it not even sure it counts as LIM, but hey ho here it is anyway.

Chrissie and Mandi of LIM fame wanted us to use red and orange in this weeks challenge.

I didn't think I'd have time and yet I've spent most of the morning trying different themes etc etc.. sighs in exasperation! I was determined to join in. I haven't even visited many of the LIMettes blogs to wow and thrice wow at all their art work.. I'll stop moaning now :o)
Products Used
Inkadingado Winter Birds
Sticky Fingers Spray inks: Orange Liquid Lustre, Poppy and Buttercup.
Promarkers for the edges.
take care
xx Suzi B xx

Better late than never!! for MMM Vintage /Traditional

2011-11-07T17:14:00.003Z

I'm so sorry guys that this post is sooo late..This card is my original inspiration piece but I'd forgotten to take photos before I gave it to Carol for display at the Cubby Hole because it's also a CCTV piece.. DUH! I didn't realise until I came to upload on the MMM blog yesterday that I hadn't taken a photo!! and because of visitors and other commitments I couldn't collect it from Carol until this afternoon.... so here it is.

Course the lights not brilliant now!
Any way here's a close up of this lovely stamp from Stampendous in an effort to show the Glamour Dust.

The greeting is also from Stampendous.

The large snowflake is a from Provo Craft and the little one's are a punch of unknown origin : D. Hope you can see the Glamour Dust
The background was made from cream card distressed with Antique linen as all the pieces are then a music image is stamped with Frayed Burlap then over stamped with snowflakes in Aged Mahogany.. hope you get the gist feel like I'm burbling along. The gorgeous shaped mount was in a lucky bag from the lovely June of Deezinaworld. In fact \I'd love to know where she got it! I want more! lol.

Pop along to Make My Monday and join in the Vintage fun.
Dont forget that Jacqueline is looking for two more Design Team members click here if you would like to join this lovely team. Sue xx

Challenges

Sunday Stampers - Week 179 - The First Noel. Christmas

ABC Christmas Vintage

This is the card I put together quickly yesterday so there would be something from me! it makes it worse cos this is my month to choose the themes!
This card was made entirely from Graphics 45 paper.. good job I had it had just bought it Friday from the Cubby Hole... whew! made life much easier.

Take care
xx Suzi B xx

Ella Bella and Gold Leaf

2011-11-05T12:45:00.001Z

Hello, happy weekend to you all.

I've been playing with Gold Leaf and Ella Bella from IndigoBlu

It's the first time I've used GL I'm not sure about how this has turned out.. thought I'd share it any way.

I wanted to use the swirls from the stamp around the image but it comes in a square format

which made it difficult to use around the edges of the card. This stamp is on loan from IB to Carol at The Cubby Hole if it belonged to me I would cut out the image. I used one of my favourite leaf swirl stamp from La Blanche instead.

I have the rest of the weekend to play with this stamp before I return it to Carol on Monday. Here's a couple of images waiting for inspiration

See you soon
xx Suzi B xx

Marianne Creatables update

2011-11-03T10:09:00.000Z

Morning folks how you doin? well and happy I hope

I wasn't too pleased with the bendy light weight Kraft card used for Tuesdays post so have now added it to a slightly larger white card... that's better! don't you think the design now "pops" ?

I have another card ready to show you... but it will have to wait until next Monday cos it's just right for the new make My Monday Challenge which will start then... it's also for the CCTV at the Cubby Hole and Carols not seen it yet ;o)

xx Suzi B xx

Exciting news at Make My Monday.. DT call

2011-11-02T12:09:00.000Z

Jacqueline the owner of

Make My Monday

would like to increase the design team by two!

This is the first DT I've been a member of and was filled with trepidation when Jaqueline invited me to join.. but it has been amazing and I urge you to have a go. Belonging to this fabulous team has encouraged me to be more creative and to try new things... no bad thing! It is a friendly supportive team ..

The theme for you to use if you're interested in being a member of this talented team is:

Celebration

you can find the details here

xx Suzi B xx

My new Marianne Creatables

2011-11-01T14:02:00.002Z

A quick card I made after I'd been playing with my new MC LR0192 using card that was in the bin after I'd used it to stamp off onto.. ( doesn't sound right :D ). so the discard made this simple little card.

The craft card which is a bit thin has warped a bit after I'd sprayed it with Glimmer Mist, Auburn and Rose Tea then added bits and pieces from my stash.

I fell for this creatable when I first saw it on Facebook and luckily I was able to buy it from Carol of Cubby Hole fame.

That's all for now it's lovely and sunny here at the mo.. lovely!.. have a great day wherever you are.
I'm at my friends house tonight for a " Girls Night In "

Take care
xx Suzi B xx

Updated version... original mounted onto white card stock

Suzi B xx

This card ie entered into http://mariannedesigndivas.blogspot.com/.

Last week for the Autumn theme at Make My Monday

2011-10-31T06:56:00.005Z

and Caz would like you to use "Autumn Leaves" on your project. Pop along to Make My Monday and take a look at all the great work done by the DT to inspire you.

Here's mine, A Bouquet of Leaves... hope you like it.

I used a Crafters Workshop template called Mini Vines over some watercolour card and dabbed with Antique Linen, scattered straw and one other darker shade but I can't remember which one :o(.

The large leaf is a Tattered Angel set called Nature, Graceful Journey this was stamped using Tea Dye DI onto more watercolour card that had been prepared in the same way as the background, then cut out. I ran a promarker around the edges of the leaves to add more definition.

The metal leaf is a Sizzix dye from Tim Holtz , Tattered Leaves. I gave it some texture using tools from my, only used once before at a workshop, Creative Metal beginners kit... but you know how it is it was I must have it, need it buy! but it did the job nicely on the leaf. The leaf was aged with a couple of alcohol inks, one just dripped directly onto the metal.... I liked this..

All the leaves were attached with sticky fixes to give some depth and more texture added with the string. the little leaf charm started life silver, its been coloured with alcohol inks.

You can just about see the texture and the shaping which did get a bit bent when Missi came to see what was going on and put her paw on it and squished some of the glue out!
All adds to the feel of the thing ;o)

The little leaf charm

Showing the depth

I look forward to seeing all your "Leaves or Leaf"

The work for this month has been a delight to see... thank you for taking part and hope you continue to enjoy the Make My Monday Challenge which starts with a new theme next Monday.

take care xx Suzi B xx

Challenges

There She Goes Clear Stamps use Jute, hemp, burlap, twine etc
Cupcake Craft Challenges Take a leaf out of my book ...

LIM Week 39 Lucky Dip - Stars

2011-10-29T16:13:00.000+01:00

This is a quick post for the LIM I haven't joined in for the last couple of weeks... not like me to miss LIM so I was determined to join in this week. I might even have another go later in the week... i have several ideas... but this one just popped into my head when I was looking through my collection for "stars"

Stamps are from Chocolate Baroque (formerly Elusive Images) Angel and Trees set stamped onto black card with Perfect Medium and embossed with Stamendous Winter Wonderland. The photograph doesn't show the silver sparkle ... I tried different angles, lighting etc but still couldn't show the sparkle :o(.
I did a tiny amount of embossing around the edge of the card before mounting onto a slightly larger card base.
have a lovely week end
tc xx Suzi b xx

Make My Monday Halloween or Not

2011-10-24T09:30:00.003+01:00

Morning everyone, hope you're all well and ready for a new week at the Make My Monday Autumn challenge and this week Caz wants us to use Orange and Black (Halloween or Not).

Here's my inspiration piece

Pop across to Make My Monday to see the rest of the teams fabulous work.

I used one of my favourite stamps (pears) from Chapel Road Artstamps, stamped with black Archival ink onto shiny card which had been brayered with Spice from Big and Juicy. I used the ink from the first roll of the brayer to get rich colours. The leaves were stamped in the same way, sorry I can't remember where the stamp is from. The sentiment is from Chocolate Baroque (formerly Elusive Images). I adhered the cut out images with sticky fixes to black cardstock.

I took this photograph outside on a lovely sunny

morning. I think it quite nicely shows up the shiny card.

Looking forward to seeing your creations but I won't be able to leave comments untill the end of the week. I am spending a couple of days with my daughter in Harrogate and then York. If time allows I will be blog hoping and leaving comments sooner.
take care
xx Suzi B xx
Also entered into these challenges
Heart to Heart Halloween or Autum
Kaboodle Doodles Halloween/Fall
Stamps and Fun Autumn
Stamps R Us challenge Blog /natures gifts

It's MONDAY!!

2011-10-17T09:18:00.003+01:00

and this week we want to see some Inches- Flora and Fauna

Pop along to Make My Monday Challenge Blog and be inspired by the DT

Here's mine!

I did have a canvas to show you but I was "messin" and ruined it!

I swooshed Spice, from Big and Juicy onto shiny card then stamped the image with Versafine Onyx Black.. Image is from the Live Out Loud A5 stamp plate from Elusive images ( now Chocolate Baroque) I gave it lots of time to dry. The image was cut using a one inch punch. It didn't work out exactly but I think it looks ok.
I repositioned the "inches" onto black card stock .
I put Black Magic core'dinations through my Cuttlebug with a Provo craft embossing plate... sorry I can't remember what the name is.
I then sanded the embossing to show the colour, then mounted this onto orangey coloured card stock. I used some of the bits and pieces left over at the bottom . The sentiment is from Life Sentiments from Kaiser Craft.

Hope you like it!
take care xx Suzi B xx
I'm also entering these challenges

Inchies or squares at kaboodle Doodles.

The Shabby Tea Room Pumpkin garden plus one dry embossed element.

Ella Bella

2011-10-14T13:44:00.000+01:00

Hi all... hows things?
Carol owner of the Cubby Hole (Craft shop in Crewe) recently started to stock Indigo Blu stamps. One or two of the stamps were loaned to Carol for a couple of weeks... so Carol loaned Ella Bella to me ( how lucky am I ) to produce a card that can be displayed in the shop along with the stamp.
Here's my first offering. hope fully I'll have time to do another one before I "have" to hand it back :o(

Close up of the textured card.

Close up of the music back ground... hard to see.

Materials

Ella Bella stamp: Indigo Blu
Marvy Blending Blox: shades of mauve
Music and Swirl stamp: La Blanche. swirls stamped off apart from opposite corners
DI: Antique Linen
Textured cream card stock.
Pearls and lace from stash. The lace looks a bit pale in the photo.. it is cream.

have a good day
take care xx Suzi b xx

"Word Book" for Desi

2011-10-12T13:14:00.002+01:00

My friend Desi loves these word book type cards ..I have done several for her in the past. This is for a colleague of hers who is soon to have a significant birthday. I only blog the odd one.. but thought I'd share this one cos I've not done much crafting lately... don't want you to get bored! :o)

Close up of the garden charms. This lady likes gardening, travelling and surfing amongst lots of other things. I couldn't fit all of em in!

This is a glassine envelope ...had it for years! one or two actually, with bits and pieces denoting some of the ladies interests.
The word books and papers are printed from the Funky Hand Paper Craft Factory, Craft The Year Away

The "D" page where Desi can personalise it

And guess what this is a surf board! on the reverse of the "F" page. There's also more space for a personal message on the reverse of the last page.

Enjoy your week, take care xxSuzi Bxx

.Autumn Month at Make My Monday.

2011-10-10T08:26:00.000+01:00

Morning all how you doin?

This week Cath would like to see some Autumnal Trees

Go on have a go, as long as there is a tree or trees

we would love to see your creations.

Silver Birch are one of my favourite Tress.

I love this stamp but I can't remember where it's from :o(

I feel that I never do it justice I think this is because of my romantic ideas about silver birch being gentle, elegant trees.... now stop laughing! you shouldn't mock.
The card puts me in mind of an early, sunny evenings Autumn walk. I know you can't see the sun but there is a glow don't you think? :o)

The background paper was made with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist sprayed randomly onto cream water colour card.
Colours used:
Mimosa
Sun kissed Peach
Yellow Daisy
Cinnamon
Auburn
Lily pad
The sentiment and little tree are from Crafty individuals

The girls at Make My Monday have done some wonderful samples to inspire you. Visit the DT blogs for the low down on how they did theirs.

take care xx Suzi B xx

Thanks to Chrissie at LIM and Vicky Crafting Clares Paper Moments for help with Linking. Cheers girls much appreciateed. xx

LIM wk 36 One Layer Card.

2011-10-09T18:03:00.000+01:00

and this week we are to show our

The ♥ can be singular, multiple, any colour, but, MUST be a one layer card, with no additional layers stuck on, apart from the odd embellishment or ribbon!

I used:

Vintage Hearts from Creative Expressions

A block stamp from Whispers.

Versafine Onyx Black Ink pad

DI Victorian Velvet

I'm resisting stamping the little heart twice, cutting out and layering up! lol

take care xx Suzi B xx

A new month of challenges at Make My Monday

2011-10-03T09:03:00.003+01:00

Good morning all you dedicated crafters welcome to a new month of challenges at Make My Monday
Caz has set the theme for the month which is all things AUTUMNAL beginning with a resist technique.
Pop across to the MMM blog to see Caz's tutorial.
http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/
I haven't mastered how to do a link yet: ( shame on me ) you know the one where you just click "here" I get it wrong every time I try... HELP!

This is my easy, uncomplicated card... you've no idea how many different attempts I had at this challenge trying different techniques... whew! Ended with this ... nice and easy.

My card looks a little different to the photograph on the MMM blog cos Included more bits and pieces to add interest.

Products and Method
Background stamp from Elusive Images (now Chocolate Baroque) Grungy Brocade set. Stamped onto tag with PM and embossed with white EP. also stamped onto white card stock with tea dye, edges coloured slightly with wild honey

Oak leaves: can't remember where I got them. Made in the same way as the tag, then cut out.
Buff coloured luggage tag.

Distress Inks: Wild Honey, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters and Tea Dye. blended together over embossed tag then the whole thing buffed to remove any colour from embossed areas

Perfect Medium

Adirondack: :Meadow and Sunset Orange. More blending to add some brightness

Debbi Moore: white embossing powder.
Bits and bobs from stash.

Hope you enjoy this new month of challenges. Looking forward to visiting all your blogs to see your wonderful creations... cos I know they'll all be great artistic masterpieces :o)

I've also entered into these challenges.
http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Fall Foliage

http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Photo Challenge

take care
xx Suzi B xx

LIM Sketch Wk 34

2011-09-27T19:26:00.001+01:00

Mandi and Chrissie would like us to use a sketch this week. I've kept this very simple and Christine B this is for you with hugs and kisses! Thinking off you.xxx
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/

Products

Bravura Stamp: Songbird
Encore ultimate metallic Ink:Sweet Dreams.
Martha Stewart border punch: Hydrangea.
Anns Grifin sentiment.

tc xx Suzi B xx

A Potential Rocket Scientist's Little Tin Of Treasures

2011-09-26T08:34:00.005+01:00

Good morning everyone... hope your day started well and continues to be so as they say in USA "have a nice day" you'll have to imagine the accent. :o)
It's the last week of Steampumk
at Make My Monday http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/
and this week Cath would like us to make ANY THING BUT A CARD

I bought this tin in Llandudno in North Wales
I think its a tobacco tin :o)
I thought I'd taken before photos, in fact I'm sure I did but can't find them on the poot! It was originally a silver tin with a picture of Elvis on the front!...with apologies to all Elvis fans... he was scrubbed off... :o)

This photo shows the underside of the tin and the inside of the tin lid.
Now I'm looking at the photographs I think I should've aged all the papers and stuff... why didn't I do that ?! hey ho.

I managed to add some distress using cotton buds and kitchen towel... now looks oily :))

Materials
All I will say is thank goodness for tissue tape, my box of SP goodies picked up from places like eBay and markets including a French one ooh nearly forgot the 50p box in B& Q.
A 1918 book of Land and Mine Surveying also came in very handy, there's not much difference is there? between a rocket scientist and a surveyor LOL. You need maths for both ! ;o)

Being a member of the fabulous Make My Monday Design Team as certainly got me out of my comfort zone. This is a first for me... I only usually alter things at workshops!

Looking forward to visiting your Blogs to see what you all make...

tc xx Suzi B xx

I've also entered this into:
Simon Says Stamp and Show MEN ONLY
http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/2011/09/simon-says-stamp-and-show-men-only.html

LIM 1000 no. 7

2011-09-23T11:47:00.001+01:00

Still trying to help reach the magic total 1000... come on folks have go! Its Clean and Simple Anything Goes.
Sentiment and Image from PaperArtsy.. ink is Paris Trunk, Sepia... one of my favourite inks.
Photograph not brilliant :o(

Close up of vellum wings!

tc xx Suzi B xx

LIM 1000 Bookmarks part 2

2011-09-21T10:50:00.000+01:00

See previous post... two posts done to help with the total. fingers crossed...thank you Chrissie and Mandi for managing to comment on all the submissions! what a task!!

tc xx Suzi B xx

LIM 1000 Bookmarks

2011-09-21T10:35:00.000+01:00

Using scraplings to make bookmarks all in the name of 1000!

LIM 1000 No 4

2011-09-20T17:49:00.000+01:00

Another card to help Chrissie and Mandi reach 1000! I'm getting some christmas cards done this way.... perhaps C& M you can do it again !! I'll have loads of Christmas cards done without the last minute stress! lol
The sentiment is from the EI Christmas Follage set, the snowflakeis made with a Provo Craft die.

I was playing around the other day with inks and things trying to make some Christmas backing paper. I didn't like it much and it ended up in the bits box..as long as I don't use too much at once it looks ok?!
Actually the bit above is all I have left lol. .. wasted quite a bit when the die had a wobble :-)

I'm disappointed with the white ink... I never have much success with white ink! I used Adirondack Snow Cap... do you have any tips to help me achieve crisp white stamping?
Tc xx Suzi B xx

LIM 1000 no.3

2011-09-19T14:55:00.002+01:00

A quick post.
All images from Elusive Images Christmas Foliage set coloured with whispers strokes and spritzed with water... one of my favourite techniques at the moment :) not too happy with the corner foliage, looks as if it's flying lol.

Added later that same day! lol

I found this little holly stamp on the same IE set ( missed it before) I like it better now :)

Tc xx Suzi B xx

Metal and Steampunk at MMM

2011-09-19T09:30:00.001+01:00

Hello all you MMM http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/ fans hows things? it's the 3rd week of Steampunk at make My Monday which is to use some metal on your projects
I wanted to get away from brown... my usual colour of choice when it comes to Steampunk.

Products and Method

Mirri card: embossed with Sizzix embossing folder, sorry can't remember what it's called and coloured with Alcohol inks
Unembossed mirri card and mirri paper also coloured with alcohol inks.
Alcohol ink colours: Pool, Raspberry and sunshine yellow.

White card: embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folder Cogs. with Adirondack ink.
Adirondack ink: Watermelon, Lemonade an Hazelnut.
Stamps: Artistic Stamper Tick Tock Butterflies; stamped onto unembossed Mirri cut out and decorated with metal bits and pieces from my stash.
Lace from stash..
Two strips of embossed Mirri placed on each side of a 14.5 square card, white embossed card placed in the middle on sticky pads after lace attached.
Large butterfly stamped with Perfect medium onto unembossed Mirri card and heat embossed with black embossing powder.
Small butterflies stamped and embossed in the same way one onto Mirri card, one onto mirri paper to hopefully give dimension when attached to the bigger butterfly.
both butterflies decorated with metal bits and pieces

Looking forward to seeing Metal on your Steampunk projects.
Have a great week
xx Suzi B xx

Another LIM 1000 card

2011-09-18T12:59:00.001+01:00

Hello again another quick card for LIM in the hopes they make a 1000 entries although this card might be more rather than less :)
Products
Hero Arts Silhouette flower
Adirondack Ink: Shell Pink and Cool Peri
Image stamped with two colours then lightly spritzed with water before stamping.
Tiny bit of Baby Blue Stickles
Tc xx Suzi B xx

Week 33 - 1000 Challenge - Anything CAS Goes

2011-09-17T09:20:00.000+01:00

Chrissie and Mandy of LIM fame wants to see if they can get a 1000 entries... see if Blogger can cope! lol
This is my first ...hope to do more The theme is Anything Cas Goes so if you fancy making a LIM card have a go and play along... lets help Chrissie and Mandi do it... Good luck!
I have a huge box of ribbon bits and bops.... I can't resist ribbon. I've decided to try and use some of this ever growing supply...

I used the "wrong" side of this ribbon cos it was more appropriate for this card.
I cut round the swirl stamp in two places and threaded it through...
The ink is from Marvy: Blending Blox shades of orange. The swirl stamp is Anna Griffin, not sure where I got the sentiment but I thought it suited the challenge. I was going to re-do the card when I smudged the border ink ... but decided I quite liked it, so smudged it a bit more lol.
Have a great W/E folks.. hope to see you over at LIM... not sure I'll manage to visit 1000!... do me best.
Take care xx Suzi B xx

Second week in Steampunk Month at Make My Monday

2011-09-12T09:30:00.008+01:00

... and the challenge this week is ..

Monochrome
(use any colour as your main then shades of that colour)

As you can see for this card I chose shades of brown using different shades of brown card and brown ink...
I used old shower curtain hooks hanging from copper and silver coloured eyelets to hold the sentiment in place.

Products

Rubber stamps:

IndigoBlu: Grand Tour 1 : air ship. tickets, sentiment and man

Kaiser Craft: Grunge, background

Chocolate Baroque: Antiquities: map. background

Paper Artsy: Cogs, background

Distress Inks: Walnut stain, frayed burlap and tea dye

Archival Ink: jet black

Bits and pieces from Joe's oddments workshop box. thank you Joe... I'm going to have another root in that box, it's huge! there 's bound to be more metal bits and pieces I can use :).

Pop across to the Make My Monday challenge blog

http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/

and see what the rest of the talented DT have come up with to inspire you.

I'm also entering this into Simon says Stamp and show... some Steampunk! http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/

Edited 10.55
photograph replaced with more accurate colour shot... light is better this morning.

have a great week
Take care
xx Suzi B xx

A quick card for Less is More

2011-09-11T19:30:00.002+01:00

ONE LAYER CARD entitled SEEING DOUBLE

Missed LIM last week for the first time since it began!

.I was in France staying with friends having a fabulous time

So now it's time to get back into the swing of things..

This is a quick card to ease me back into crafting lol.
I'm not too happy with it and I'll probably have another go later this week.
Can't remember where the image came from ( not a brilliant stamp ... but suited this fun card ). image coloured with Whispers Strokes, sentiment from Inkadinkado just a touch of Glamour Dust, ribbon and gems.

I've also entered this into Paper Play challenge, use two or more stamped images

http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your week
take care
xx Suzi B xx

New Month New Theme

2011-09-05T09:30:00.007+01:00

For the month of September at MAKE MY MONDAY Challenge blog. http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/

Cath would like to see your Steam Punk creations. The first week begins with ATC'S. I've done three using different mediums but you can always mix and match, look out for appropriate images in magazines, papers, posters etc.

Here's my interpretations...

it was quite a challenge because I have never made an ATC! I know hard to believe.

*****

This one uses Graphics 45 papers and a cogs stamp from Paper Artsy.

*****

This one is made using Rubber stamps and an embossing folder.

Products/method.
Mirri card embossed with Cuttlebug, Cogs embossing folder which has been coloured with Alcohol inks then scratched with sand paper.
Stamps: Recycled rubber art stamps: Steampunk Accessories 1,silver polish bottle and chimney stamped onto metallic silver card ( not sure what the correct name is, it's like Mirri card but not shiny).
Measure and text stamped onto white card and coloured with DI's.

*****

This one has been made with digital downloads

I've used images from Cemerony and Deeznaworld. Their links can be found in my side bar should you wish to take a peek.

I'm in France at the moment so here's hoping my scheduled post has worked. I boobed last week :((
I'm back in the UK on the 9th so will come to see your Steampunk creations after then... can't wait!

See you soon

take care

xx Suzi B xx

LIM wk 30 Recipe

2011-08-29T12:26:00.003+01:00

and the recipe is:
taken from the LIM Challenge Blog: http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/

Take 3 Challenges

We want you to choose 3 from any of our previous 29 and combine them in your design.
There is a list of our previous challenges under the tab heading at the top of our blog and you can also see the previous sketches under a separate tab.

Please state which 3 you have chosen.
NB There is no need to adhere to the One Layer if that is on the week you choose.

You may wish to go for your favourites or maybe your least...acetate springs to mind!

Most of all, be creative, have fun, remember our white space and the all important

"Less is More"

If you fancy having a go at Less Is More pop along and be inspired

I've chosen

Wk 9: touch of red.

Wk10: one layer sentiment

Wk25: Buttons or ribbon.

Wk 28: use ink

This is my first Christmas card... I've never done one this early..and I might come to regret using this theme so early... my teamies at MMM will know what I'm on about.. sorry about the mystery/secrecy to everyone else.

Products

Stamps: Stampendous sentiment

Artemio: Holly

Inks: Sticky Fingers Christmas red and Christmas green. I painted the images with the ink as well as splattering the background and using on the edges of the white card.

Ribbon and gems from my stash.

Enjoy the rest of BH Monday. The weather in Crewe has been very miserable so far... dull and grey!

tc xx Suzi bxx

Things With Wings Photo Inspiration

2011-08-29T11:42:00.000+01:00

Morning every one, how are you all today? hope you're ready for the last week of Things with Wings at The Make My Monday Challenge http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/ and this week we have a lovely photo inspiration for you... how pretty is this ?

Here's my interpretation.

It's a 5x7.5 canvass. It was a discarded canvass that I had been preparing for a Cubby Hole challenge ... but it didn't get completed.. Didn't know what to do with it actually lol... but the base colour was just right for the inspiration photo. So I used stencils and die cuts to finish it off.

I used a substantial amount of white acrylic paint on the main stencil. I wanted to give it as much texture as I could without losing the delicacy of the image.

The second stencil was used around the edges in two different shades of green

This photo shows the products used.

Oops just noticed .. I've left price tickets on view

Can't wait to see your take of Suzanne's Photo Inspiration.
there's more great inspiration pieces
on the MMM Challenge Blog

Thank you Suze for a lovely month of things with wings challenges.

Don't forget to visit each others blog to leave a comment.. we all love comments!

tc xx Suzi B xx

A card for Eilish

2011-08-24T16:05:00.000+01:00

this is a commission card that's been bugging me for some time now... I'm so glad it's done1 but not sure it meets the criteria :-(
My friends daughter wanted the card to incorporate Eilsha's name, age and status as god daughter. Eilish apparently is not a girly girl, not into flowers and such like and has been described as quite contemporary! but she likes handbags... and as you can see not a hand bag in sight!.. so fingers crossed. I'm a bit worried the little charms might be too girly.. hey ho :-)

Products Not many
DP: 7 gypsies.. so glad I saw this at the Cubby hole yesterday and the basis of the card came to light!.. at last!
DI on letters and numbers: antique linen and aged mahogany
Charms from stash
Various stamps used on the letters and numbers... Chocolate Baroque Minis: meadow, script and mail.

.

Acetate at Make My Monday

2011-08-22T09:23:00.002+01:00

Hello every one it's the beginning of the week which means it's time for the Make My Monday Challenge. So pop along and take a look at the fabulous inspiration from the DT......... some wonderful projects for you. Click on the link in my side bar or here http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/

It's the third week in August which means

it's still Things with Wings

but this week Suzanne wants us to use ... acetate!

The butterfly has been stamped onto the card stock and onto the acetate. The acetate image was embossed After the butterfly was cut out I folded the wings in to lift them away from the card image once it was glued in place creating a lovely shadow and movement effect.

The base card is 15cm x15cm the top card is 13.5cm x 13.5cm which has been coloured slightly around the edges and shaded onto the card leaving a white area around the butterfly with the blue part of the ink pad. I punched the left side of the card to give a pretty floral finish.

Products

Tattered Angels Graceful Journey: Butterfly stamp.

Encore Ultimate Metallic: Sweat Dreams.
Martha Stewart Hydrangea Boarder Punch.
Stampendous Clear Embossing powder.
Heat resistant acetate
Bits and pieces from my stash.

I'm looking forward to popping across to your place to see all your wonderful creations. Why not visit each others blog to see more great inspiration and don't forget to leave them comments. Thank you :))

Have a great day
tc xx Suzi B xx

More for LIM. Things that move

2011-08-21T14:15:00.002+01:00

I love this image from IndigoBlu, Grand Tour 1 and being a true LIMette couldn't resist using it for
LIM Things That Move challenge

The sentiment is also from IB.

The little sunshine charm is from a mixed pack I bought off eBay which I was very disappointed with... I thought they were metal not plastic. They were left in the pack at the bottom of my charm storage ... until today... As we all know it pays to never throw any thing away... I think it would probably look better distressed in some way... just thought of that :) will see what I can do... ok now I'm waffling. Is that the correct spelling of waffling? lol

tc xx Suzi B xx

Things that Move for Less is More

2011-08-20T20:06:00.002+01:00

Click to enlarge to get a better view ... it's not photographed all that well. Once enlarged click again to zoom in... now you'll see all the bits and pieces that aren't quite right lol.

Chrissie and Mandi would like to see something with movement

"This could be interpreted in a variety of ways...an actual moving component on your card, so a pop up, a shaker, a spinner, a charm, a tag... we could go on...

On the other hand your card could have an image of something capable of movement, so the scope for that is almost infinitesimal!

Whatever you do, we're sure that all you LIMettes will be totally creative!"

These dancers are certainly moving! swinging along to the music.

The dance ticket also moves out of its pocket .

and how about this cute little chap he's on a 10.5cm x 11.5cm card

Products
Stamps: La Blanche, dancers
              Paper Artsy cat
                  Dovecraft: Fun Strips
Impressive Images: Dance ticket
Ink:         Paris Trunk sepia.
               Versafine Onyx Black.
Enjoy the rest of your W/E
tc xx Suzi B xx

Yesterday

2011-08-17T11:00:00.000+01:00

I made this when I was supposed to be making a card with a big 18 on it!... didn't happen but it will cos it's ordered!
tc xx Suzi B xx

LIM WK 28 One layer

2011-08-15T17:05:00.002+01:00

It's time for a one layer card over at LIM. Chrissie and Mandi would like us to " use ink" which can include ink pads.
I used Sticky fingers spray ink for my card .An A5 size card was sprayed with red and green ink. the green ink has mica in it, the red is plain. The card was resized to a 13x13cm square . I then stamped this gorgeous poppy stamp from "deezinesart" http://deezinesart.blogspot.com/ in black. the poppies where then painted with the inks. I love it!... hope you do too :)

I should be concentrating on commission cards , 18th and 30th... not in the mood at all ( mojo gone for this ) would much rather do another LIM card!

tc xx Sue xx

Fairies / Angels at Make My Monday

2011-08-15T13:12:00.002+01:00

Suzanne's challenge over on the MMM challenge blog http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/mmm-challenge-11-fairies-or-angels.html for the month of August is Things with Wings and this week its Fairies/ Angels.
My card was made with the Beautiful Dreamer stamp set by Rubber Stamp Concepts.
Products /recipe
Image stamped with Paris Trunk Sepia then torn out.
Image stamped again onto vellum with Marvy, Blending Blox in Shades of Mauve.
The wings and the feather cut out and adhered to the fairy/angel ... not sure which , to me she/he is a fairy cos the wings are butterfly wings.
Background stamps: Viva decor, script and scrolls stamped with sepia.
Wings, sentiments lace effect stamped in shades of mauve, cut out and adhered.
Lace Stamp: Elusive Images ( I'm sure you know is now Chocolate Baroque) from damask Squares.

Close up of vellum wing.

Close up of vellum feather
which has been , feathered :)

Here's a couple of more ideas for you using mainly Lavinia Stamps and a some Art Impressions stamps coloured with whispers strokes. the background was made with DI's.

this is stamped onto DI background with Versafine, black. stamping twice to get the depth and shading.

Here's a blue fairy/angel.
I'm a bit late with my post... so sorry.. I was unwell last night and this morning!... Taught me a lesson!! do the post well in advance and save... phew!
tc xx Suzi B xx
Don't know why there's such a big gap between some of the images? I didn't but em there :)

The Great Cubby Hole Summer Exhibition part 2

2011-08-14T13:28:00.000+01:00

Thought you might like to see more wonderful art work from The Cub

Click on each one for a closer look... I haven't got photos of everything!! :((
tc xx Sue xx

Craft Exibition at the Cubby Hole

2011-08-12T15:53:00.000+01:00

The pear stamp has been coloured with Whispers Strokes the spritzed with water before being stamped onto water colour card then triple embossed. I can't remember how the canvass evolved! lol Lots of acrylic paint then lots of gesso then more paint, sprayed, stencilled etc etc... eventually getting to something that was passable.

.close up ... it was difficult to maintain a rounded shape, during and after embossing...

I liked the background on this canvas so didn't cover all of it up :).

This was my piece for the centre showcase of the "summer" themed wall. I wish you could all see the amazing artwork on exhibition at the Cubby Hole.

This is the wall displaying the Summer themed art work. the exhibition is about Celebrating Diversity. Every one who attends the CH was invited to take part . This is only a very small section of what is on display.
tc xx Sue xx

Make My Monday and Less is More combined

2011-08-08T12:49:00.004+01:00

Over at MMM we are still following the August theme of Things with Wings but this weeks its birds or bugs.
Using the resist technique I stamped the main image onto sticky back canvass coloured with distress inks then buffed up the embossing. Fraying the edges of the canvas took for ever! :)
The canvas was originally intended for my piece for the CH exhibition but wasn't big enough.... had to do it all again!!
The background for the canvass is stamped with the same flowers in perfect medium , there's a tiny little bee in there too, then coloured with DI around the edges.
The bee was stamped directly onto the card then stamped again onto card and the body part coloured, cut out and adhered to the card.
Products
Stamps: Hero Arts: flowers
       Cart-Us : main bee
   Crafty Individuals: tiny bee... in one of their freebie packs :)
   Sentiment: Artistic Stamper
DI's      Wild Honey, Dried Marigold, Scattered Straw and Frayed Burlap
Bits and pieces from stash.

The challenge over at LIM is to use the colours of your flag.

I chose to use the colours of St. George.

I used the same theme as MMM but this time chose birds.

Products
Stamps: Stampendous; bird nest
Elusive Images (now Chocolate Baroque); swirly bird and sentiment
Ink: DI: Aged Mahogany.

Go and take a look at both challenges and see the wonderful inspiration pieces and join in the fun!
Enjoy your day
tc xx Sue xx

Inspiration at the Cubby Hole

2011-08-07T15:30:00.003+01:00

Yesterday was a Play Day at the Cubby Hole. This is a day when Carol invites us to come along and PLAY! using our own materials etc or in my case for coffee and a chat and to take photos of the stupendous great big Cubby Hole exhibition! This was an exhibition to showcase the diversity that comes from all the crafters and artists that attend the CH... wonderful place for friendship and artistic inspiration from like minded people... you know what its like being a crafter, friends and family roll their eyes and look to heaven if we start talking rubber stamps, ink, paint, journals etc etc.

Sue Roddis ( Jabberwocky) and Tracey Evans (Craft Addict) where working away in their journals... some thing I've never really taken to. Sue was slapping paint onto a big A4 journal cutting out and sticking Tracey was doing similar. Sue reminded me that journals are just for you not given away or sold.

I then went shopping to a low cost place for cat litter and whilst there, on impulse bought four big tubes (big for me) of acrylic paint. When at home I promptly slapped burnt umber onto a couple of pages that were pale, dull and yellowish.

So this is my Impulse, Inspired by Sue and Tracey journal pages. Thank you xx

The items I've used are all left over bits and pieces that I particularly like and they would probably have stayed in the bits box for ever. I love the Character Construction ladies having a cuppa in a cup! :))

There are lots of fellow crafters from the CH who constantly inspire and support... Thank you xxx

This is the Summer themed centre piece from the Cubby Hole exhibition... Celebrating Diversity.

Enjoy the rest of Sunday

take care

xx Sue xx

Water Colour Pear

2011-08-01T22:47:00.003+01:00

It's lucky dip over at LIM this week and they've come over all fruity!

FEELING FRUITY

Pop along to the Less Is more Challenge site to see how the fabulous LIMettes have interpreted the theme.

My creation has been produced by colouring the stamp with Whispers Strokes then lightly spritzing with water before stamping onto water colour card and cutting it out. I did the same again using less water and then cut out the largest flower.

Products
Stamps; Chapel Road Artstamps. Tapestry Pear
Whispers Strokes: black, dark pink and orange.

take care xx Sue xx

MMM August Theme... Things with Wings

2011-08-01T11:51:00.004+01:00

August is the month for Suzanne's theme of Things with Wings which begins with Butterflies and/or Dragonflies

My piece is inspired by some of my favourite music from Puccini's Madam Butterfly which is why I bought this lovely stamp some time ago but this is the first time I've used it.

The card I've used is a lovely soft cream but is showing up much whiter.. I took several more photos this morning to try and improve the colour reproduction but to no avail :(

Here's a slight variation... which I think I prefer

Here's work in progress not finished due to time pressures.... hectic week last week and visitors all W/E.

Products

Stamps: Stampington Puccinis Muse
La Blanche: Music and large butterfly.
Butterfly Kisses: tiny butterfly
Archival jet Black Ink
Bits and pieces from my stash.

Unfinished pieces: Products
Elusive Images Butterfly Poppy Collage.
Inktense water colour pencils
Personal Impressions Dragonfly

Thank you to all the people that left lovely messages of support ... I appreciate it very much :))

Thank you for visiting
take care xx Sue xx

Exciting News!!

2011-07-29T12:46:00.001+01:00

I've been dying to let the cat out of the bag for a week or so..... Jacqueline owner of the Make My Monday Challenge Blog has asked me to become a DT member!! how good is that ! I said yes of course... but I did wobble (have wobbled ) a bit ..a lot! :))

I start as part of the team on Monday... blimey me a DT member... weh hey!

Here is some very sneaky peeks... don't want to spoil the reveal for the start of next months challenge theme which begins on Monday.... but I couldn't wait to tell you.

Look forward to seeing you joining in the fune over at the MMM challenge blog.

tc xx Sue xx

BUTTON OR RIBBON (or plurals thereof) LIM

2011-07-25T12:57:00.000+01:00

This was supposed to be a quick card using this fab stamp I bought on Friday at The Cubby Hole from Carol's "bargain basket" it was half price ie: £3.50... I love it cos its quirky and Steampunky!
but quick it wasn't... I finally got it straight after five attempts!!
Is it straight? :)

Products
Stamp: Blue Cat Toys
Ink: Archival Jet Black
Button and ribbon from stash

tc xx Sue xx

Winning numbers! I wish :)

2011-07-20T11:46:00.000+01:00

Second entry for the LIM circles challenge.

I should be concentrating on my exhibition canvasses for the Cubby Hole Exhibition... nothing even started yet!! boo hoo... needs to be in for August... more boo hoos.

Products
Stamps: PaperArtsy Minis. MN28
               Studio g. i.cling sentiment
Ink:        Adirondack: Woodlands... brayered onto shiny card
              Memories Dye: Black

Weather looking a bit brighter here lets hope it stays that way for a few days at least..pretty please :))

Thank you for dropping in to see me enjoy your day.

tc xx Sue xx

Paul's 40th

2011-07-19T13:33:00.001+01:00

I was struggling with my youngest sons 40th B/D card... i was stuck with golf and fishing and my creativity was zero! until I saw Stampingmatilda's blog this morning... its his B/D today by the way!!!! I'm not seeing him until 4pm when we will be having a family birthday cake tea. he had a big B/D bash on Saturday... fabulous! lots of food, friends and laughter.
So the above card is direct take from ..
http://stampingmathilda.blogspot.com/2011/07/click-click-click.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+stampingmathilda+%28StampingMathilda%29
so thank you Stamping Matilda for getting me out of a fix... I love her work!
Paul is very much into photography... don't know why I blanked it out!!

Products

can't remember the name?! hoping one of you will know :)

Thanks people It is a Sam Poole design from Creative Expressions.

Distress inks: Shabby Shutters and Stormy Sky
Versafine: Onyx Black
Memories: Black
Crafty individuals: various miniatures

tc xx Sue xx

Time to Eplore!

2011-07-18T17:55:00.002+01:00

The theme over at LIM is circles.
This is the first time I've crafted for a week or so.. last week was an emotional roller coaster of a week... but all OK now :)

I'm hoping to have a few minutes to catch up with comments on the LIMettes fabulous entries.. there are sooo many already no idea how Mandy and Chrissie keep up! or the LIMettes that manage to visit every entry...

Added at 18.30
I've been sat at my computer looking at the original card thinking... somethings not right.... so i decided to mount it onto black card after cutting it in half and resizing ... I prefer it now1 but I'm sure you'll let me know which you prefer... thank you in advance lol.

Recipe
leather look card stock from stash I've no idea where I got from etc... sorry :( It's representing an old fashioned leather travel bag ;).
Stamps: Tattered Angels: Time Traveler.
Ink: Versafine, Onyx Black and Toffee.
Woodware circle punch
Copic marker: black.

tc xx Sue xx

MMM Challenge 6 Vintage Embossing

2011-07-11T17:45:00.004+01:00

Hi hows you? It's been lovely here in Crewe today. Even managed to sit outside with visitors and enjoy the sun and garden.

This week over at Make My Monday the theme is still vintage but this week with embossing.
I've chosen dry embossing with the cuttle bug using two different plates.
I'm enjoying this challenge It's helping me have a go at different styles , techniques etc.... can't be bad!.
Hope this qualifies as vintage.

Recipe

Stamps: Elusive Images: Harlequin Rose stamp plate.
Viva Decor : Script.
Ink: DI: Victorian velvet, Antique linen
Stazon: Dove Gray
Versafine: Onyx black .
Embossing Folders: Provo craft: Script and Diamond. The diamond embossing plate has been cut out and placed in an haphazard way.
Core'dinations: ColourCore cardstock: used for embossing
Distress crackle paint: Rock Candy
Sequin waste.
Cream card stock

Close up of crackle glaze.

I wanted to make it look like all the bits were crackling and peeling off the page in their extreme age! :)).............. If you're any thing like me you know what I mean lol.

tc xx Sue xx

Without Legs I couldn't ride my bike!

2011-07-10T15:27:00.002+01:00

LIM no. 2
One Layer with Legs.

Recipe
Images: Elusive Images ( Now Chocolate Baroque) Eccentric Edwardian theme plate.
Ink: Paris Trunk: sepia
Archival Ink: Jet Black

Don't you just love that big fancy L.. which begins the tale :
Let every day produce some lines
That may commend thy Genius and thy pen
Let all thy Undertakings and Designs
Tend to Gods glory and the good of men......

tc xx Sue xx

LIM wk 23. One layer.. Something with Legs

2011-07-09T14:48:00.001+01:00

Hi folks... thank you for coming to see me . I really appreciate it :)

This is the mask! ... doesn't he look good... might have to find a way of using him.
I stamped him onto a post it.... but me being me I missed the sticky bit! lol. So decided to hold it in place instead of doing it again..
just about worked :)

Products
Stamp: Paper artsy. Bird and Sentiment
Ink :Marvy Blending Blox; shades of orange
Kitchen Towel.
Dilute bleach and that's all :))

Hope you're all having a good week end... my washing just got a soaking from the rain ... suns out again now though .. fingers crossed
tc xx Sue xx

GC109: Chestnut Theme Challenge - On the Road

2011-07-07T08:25:00.004+01:00

This is the first time Ive entered the Gingersnaps Creations challenge
The Chestnut theme challenge this month is Machines and starts off with "transportation"... think I've got that right :)

http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/

PRODUCTS
Stamps: IndigoBlu: Grand Tour 1
                     EcoGreen: Steampunk Accessories 1
   Stampede: Travel Map 3007F
DI:    Walnut Stain... on the edges smudged
Paris Trunk: Sepia
Ranger:         Sepia Accents. now this was an experiment :)
I wanted the cogs to look a bit used.. so I dribbled a tiny amount of Sepia Accents onto the cogs and heated with my heat gun ... well it boiled and bubbled, leaving at first a sticky mess... but has now dried and looks a bit like grease.. I like it!
Oops! I forgot to say the "cogs" are from Joe's workshop "bits" box... thank you Joe xx

Here's a close up.

tc xx Sue xx

MMM Vintage

2011-07-05T19:35:00.005+01:00

This month over at MMM the theme chosen by Fliss from the DT is Vintage and this week it is a colour challenge.

http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/

It was a real challenge for me cos I'm not all that brilliant at vintage... but I had a go.

Products
The lovely freebie image is from Dezinaworld
http://dezinaworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/viva-la-france-freebie-sale-challenges.html
Stamps: Viva Decor: Script and Scroll for the background.
La Blanche : Tiny script behind main image.
Inks
DI: Stormy Sky. Antique Linen
Paris Trunk: Sepia
Ribbon. lace and charm from my stash

tc xx Sue xx

LIM In Shades of Blue

2011-07-02T20:20:00.003+01:00

It's week 22 and time for a colour theme and this time its shades of blue. I've been feeling a bit off colour today (no pun intended) lol..... so shade of blue suited!

Materials
Stamps: Stampendous Cling Jumbo Hydrangea
Anna Griffin sentiment
Perfect Medium
Chalks: Craft-T Products
Soft pastels: Wilko
Three colours of blue embossing powder. (soz can't remember whose)
Ribbon from stash

The main image has been stamped onto card which has been coloured with the remains of ink from a template spritzed with Dew Drop Glimmer Mist then coloured with three shades of pastels. Once the image had been stamped and embossed I then added more colour with chalks using my finger.

Have a great week end
tc xx Sue xx

....and now with butterfly... off to watch the tennis :))... Sue xx

MMM wk 4 Sketch

2011-07-01T14:43:00.002+01:00

This week over at MMM the theme continues to be flower, but this week use a sketch.

Products

Stamps: Hero Arts Clings
My Minds Eye: Bloom and Grow
DP: Joanna Sheen
Punch: Martha Stewart Hydrangea
Bits and pieces from stash
Flower meaning: Oxford Dictionary

POP over to Make My Monday http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/
and see the wonderful DT inspiration pieces and join in. There's a prize at the end of each month.

tc xx Sue xx

Dezinaworld Big Celebratory Collage give away.

2011-06-28T13:09:00.001+01:00

Check out the lovely June of Dezinaworld who is celebrating reaching her 500th follower with some great digital collage sheets she giving away. Some lucky person (or persons if June makes it to 550 followers) can win just by adding your blog link and becoming a follower.
http://dezinaworld.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-celebratory-collage-give-away.html
Pop along to Junes Blog and see her and her design teams wonderful artwork

tc xx Sue xx

LIM Sketch No. 2

2011-06-27T19:40:00.000+01:00

and I'm still not happy... what is it with me and LIM Sketches... just can't hack it...boo hoo.
Don't think I like sketches :)
tc xx Sue xx

LIM Wk 21 Sketch

2011-06-26T14:11:00.004+01:00

I've been playing this morning but not all that happy with the results but thought that I'd share them any way.
Can't remember much about any of the flower stamps I've used apart from, I bought them when I first started stamping about 3 tears ago (roughly)... I've no idea whose they are... sorry :(
The sentiment is from Crafty Individuals.
The more I look at those beads the more I don't like em.... they'll be coming off :)

Up date... Most of the beads have gone! ... just a few on the periphery still in situ!

*****

I am so unhappy with these I haven't done any thing with em... the flowers remind of crabs scurrying around :))

*****

But look at these two ... aah wood pigeons in love!... taken last night about 21.30. they are on my neighbours three storey house chimney... hence the poor quality photo ( taken with me little Canon Ixus 130 on digital zoom)

tc xx Sue xx

Make My Monday Challenge 3 ...Tags

2011-06-24T12:29:00.004+01:00

This is my entry for MMM challenge. This week we are to use tags but still in this months theme of flowers.

Products
Stamp: Hampton art water Colour Flower, coloured with Brushmarkers , spritzed with water.
DI: Worn Lipstick, Antique Linen, Tattered Rose and Spun Sugar
Backing Paper: Chocolate Baroque printable download: Love letters, printed on draft setting at A5 size onto cream parchment paper.
Charms etc: from stash

tc xx Sue xx

Mail Art

2011-06-20T16:55:00.003+01:00

The cry from Carol of Cubby Hole fame this week is.....

send me your Mail Art and make the post man smile!

Not sure the post man will smile but I quite like it.

I wanted vintage grunge.... think it qualifies :)

This will be posted tomorrow.

Back View

Since taking this photo I've distressed the TH tape, it doesn't look so stark now :)
*******************

This is the first draft, which I actually prefer but I didn't want to stick a stamp on the air ship :(

Products
Stamps: Viva Decor:Background Script and large Flourish
              Royal Brush: Journey.
              IndigoBlu: Grand Tour 1
              My Mind's Eye: Wild Asparagus
Chocolate Baroque: Mail Art
Ink:    Paris Trunk Sepia ( me new favourite ) DI Walnut Stain.
TH tape.
Envelope: GPO.

tc xx Sue xx

LIM WK 20 Monogram

2011-06-18T17:09:00.005+01:00

Tee hee... M = Mellors waiting at the bottom of my garden!.... naughty!

Products
Elusive Images: ( now Chocolate Baroque) Texture Plate and Monogram.
Crafty Individuals: Main Image
Ink: Paris Trunk Sepia.

tc xx Sue xx

A couple more.....

2011-06-13T18:20:00.001+01:00

No more I promise... these two just popped onto cards whilst I was tidying and putting crafty stuff in boxes ready to take to my sisters i used what was lying about ...

tc xx Sue xx

Oh I just want to say I may not have time to visit your work whilst I'm away... I'll try to keep up on my little net book... but time will be a problem. have fun!
Sue xx

In shades a pink and blue

2011-06-13T15:17:00.000+01:00

For my younger sister Eileen. This just happens to fit the Make My Monday challenge.. see side bar for link and join in the fun. This week it's all about die cut flowers.

Products
Tattered Florals Die
DI's : Broken China, Spun sugar
Martha Stewart punch
Provo Craft embossing folder.
Bits and pieces from my stash.

tc xx Sue xx

LIM no. 2.

2011-06-13T12:53:00.001+01:00

I'm still trying to use Ink as the frame... :))
My car is fixed... whew! so off to my sisters tomorrow. taking lots of crafty stuff with me... although Anne's the real deal... a brilliant self taught artist! ... she can draw. paint... etc etc... We will be having fun with the techniques that I have picked up using inks, baby wipes, kitchen towel, cardboard and all sorts of other house hold bits and pieces. We will have fun, my problem is I don't have a trailer to take all my stash... lol

tc xx Sue xx

LIM One Layer in the Frame

2011-06-12T22:37:00.001+01:00

Didn't think I'd be entering LIM this week because I should be over in Nottingham helping my sister for a few days whilst her daughter and son in law are in Greece... but my car decided to play up on Friday evening and is off the road until I can get it for a diagnostic test tomorrow.. drat and double drat!

I won't tell you how many attempts and different options I did with the above stamp ... should've given up ... think I'm tired. Thought I'd share the best of the bunch... I'm not happy with it but here it is.

If I have time this week,.... read that as my car not being fixed :(

I'll have another go.

tc xx Sue xx