Literature Inspiration.

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

the book cover or from the story.

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

This lovely  Crafty Individuals stamp was given to me  by Carol to use for my DT piece for  The Cubby Hole Shop. It was just right for Mynnettes literary inspiration challenge.
I used Whispers Strokes direct to the stamp  then stamped onto water colour paper which had been spritzed with water.

 I highlighted with more colour and with a white highlighter pen here and there before distressing the edges, then shading with blue and green DI's before mounting onto a slightly larger piece of card which was also distressed.around the edges.
I made  the backing paper by laying a Crafters Workshop template over water colour paper and adding various colours of chalk with stubby, stiffish brushes.

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

 My second card is inspired by the Book Cover which I will also enter into

   LIM challenge. Use Beads

although I'm not sure Chrissie and Jen will think it fits the bill... here's hoping

I used the same template and chalk but this time onto black card then embossed with the Craft Concepts Dandelion Whispers. Cut the butterflies from a Joy Crafts die from the left over DP from the first card. which had also been over stamped with a script.

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

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

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

CAS Monochrome challenge at MMM

Good morning, happy Monday to you all... and being Monday  it's time for another challenge at Make My Monday. Jacqueline our lovely leader would like to see a Clean and Simple card or paper craft project in

 MONOCHROME

using  varying tones of one colour.

Hope you like mine

 

Main image: Dress Up from Paperbag Studios stamped with Vintage Photo DI onto white card that has been distressed with  DI's Tea Dye and Vintage Photo . The Kraft card layers have been given the same treatment. 
 I wrapped this gorgoues, ... well actually ...I don't know what its called but I love it. I'm hoping Carol from the Cubby Hole where I origanally bought it can get more. I'm calling it twine ribbon.

***

 This is what the "twine ribbon" looks like before I start "messin" with it.

It's about 4cm ("2 1/2") wide but I love cutting it down and using thinner pieces with lots of lovey frayed edges plus I pull out single threads which make fabulous knots and bows as seen on this card.

Do you like what this little minx has done to her hat? so now that her hat is OK she's putting on her lipstick!

***

Isn't she gorgeous?

Pop across to MMM to see the  inspiration provided by the rest of the team.. enjoy!!
 take care
xx Suzi B xx

Challenges
Moxie Fab World:  Ombre... graduations of the same colour from light to dark. Not sure this fits the bill, fingers crossed.
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge: Clean and Simple
Ink on my Fingers: Brown

Spots and Stripes

It's one layer week at LIM and Chrissie and Jen would like to see

 SPOTS and STRIPES

Here's mine.

 

Products/method

Designs by Ryn: patio Stone CM-T6. Stamped then masked before stamping ,

Judikins Large background stamp:2639J..  just at the bottom

Sakura jelly roll pens used to add colour.

Greeting...  I've forgotten where this is from...

15cmx 15cm black card base

I also randomly added colour onto the patio stone

Thank you for looking

xx Suzi B xx

Mid Week Motivation at MMM

 Hello  and welcome  here's my mid week motivation for 

Make My Monday. 

Hope it inspires you to join in with this weeks  heat embossing theme.

Products/ method

Stamps:  

Paper Artsy Hot Picks HP1011EZ,  and Diamonds/Script stamp 96756-P

Stamp Camp; background behind the flower and base layer

Pink Paisley: little star cluster on the base layer.

Distress inks: peeled paint, crushed olive,barn door, dried marigold, rusty hinge, vintage photo,     

                        squeezed, lemonade and mustard seed...... swooshed and swirled on every thing..

DP: Kaiser Craft Vintage Timeless

Stamping Up Whisper White pigment ink

Adirondack: Lake Mist dye based ink

Stampendous detail white EP

Word Stamps... unknown.

 Lace and pearls  from stash

Flower bud is  the dried centre of an orchid flower.

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

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

hidden message ....  :)







Dried flower bud

Challenges

Crafts and Me: Ribbon and lace. I used lace.

Paper Pretties: Make your own background.

Its all about the vintage: Spring dreams with lace

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

Turn up the Heat

Hi all,  we could certainly  do with some heat here in the UK  its  flipping freezing but in the hopes it will warm you up  ;) I would like to see you use 

Heat Embossing 

on your projects for this weeks challenge at Make My Monday 

here's mine

Products/method

Clearly besotted: Leafy Accents stamps and die. Embossed with green EP

La Blanche: Bloom. stamped with Vintage sepia, once onto cartridge paper and once onto acetate, embossed with clear EP, coloured and cut out 

Crafty Individuals: The little bee was a generous freebie

Hobby Craft sentiment

Derwent Inktense water colour pencils.

Clear and green Embossing Powder

Versafine Vintage Sepia. for the bloom, sentiment and bee

Viva Pearl Pen: copper. flower centre

I made a bit of a mess usingg the Pearl pen but I quite liked it so didn't feel the need to do all again! well the acetate bit ... which can be tricky  cos it's difficult to stop the stamp from sliding around.... managed in one take.. whew!  although not easy to See in this photograph I coloured both cartridge paper and acetate

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

As usual we at MMM look forward to seeing your creations and as usual you will astound us with embossing variations.

 We are delighted to have three new DT members 

 Jaybee, Rosie and Laura 

  pop across to MMM to see all the DT's wonderful inspiration.

 have a good day, take care.

 xx Suzi B xx

Wednesday Craft Group.

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

 I voluntarily run the craft group at an assisted living complex here in Crewe. This is the card the ladies made today.

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

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

Nature Trail at MMM

Good morning... hope you all had a good week end. Did you manage to get out and about whilst the sun shone? ... that's for us in the UK.... the sight of the sun is rare indeed... the sad thing is we Brits love it!!! any excuse to to be out and about or just AL Fresco meals/picnics.  Ooh heck I'm getting carried away, it wasn't that warm.... I can dream!

 This week though the theme at Make My Monday
is

 Inspired By Nature 

 

 Here's mine, hope you like it. I had Spring in mind.... still dreaming :)

 

Products

Stamps:  Stampendous Cling Bird Frame

               Paper Artsy Nature USNT3

               Lisa Pevelka Love Letter.

Versamark Vintage Sepia.

Distress Ink Antique Linen....main image

Derwent Colour Soft pencils.

Cartridge paper.... main image

Kraft card

Blue card

Cream textured base card

Bits and pieces from stash.

Silicone glue.

I layered up the nest, then added some tiny little seeds that were in a nature type craft pack that I found ,ages ago in a charity shop. I coloured them with acrylic paint.. blue and whiet mixed. I put the paint into a jam jar lid ( I often use lids of various sizes and origins for glue, paint etc... very handy when you only need a tiny amount) I rolled the seeds in the paint with my fingers.  I think they look more authentic with some of the base colour showing through... authentic! who am I kidding!  I also added white feathers.

I shaped the eggs and added a broken Star Anise from the same pack as the "eggs" 
I like the fact that you can see the shiny seeds inside

Take a look at the DT's inspirational art .... see you soon, I hope :o)
Thank you for your kind comments it really does mean soo much!. I know lots of you look and don't comment....  but it's lovely to know that you came by... thank you.
 xx Suzi B xx

Neapolitan Ice Cream

That's what the colour challenge photo inspiration reminded me of over at Less Is More. even though the photograph used from Design Seeds is called Doughnut Dreams.
 Here's my interpretation

 

Products

Rubber Stamp: Hero Arts Wild Flower Garden
Whispers Stokes , TH Distress Markers used directly onto the stamp, spritzed with water, stamped onto cartridge paper.
Couture Creations Pure Pleasure embossing folder.
Seed Beads... an old favourite of mine for flower centres, I'd  forgotten how effective they are.
Twine
Sentiment from a selection of odds and sods that have lost their home  :(
Photo Inspiration

Enjoy your Sunday
I'm having a lazy day today... what again! I hear you say... yes well ... my bedroom had a thorough going over yesterday... I even threw stuff and filled a bag for the charity shop
thank you for looking
xx Suzi B xx

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

Blue for IndigoBlu

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

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

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

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

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

Black and Pink

Good morning Bloggers.   Well doesn't Monday  come round quickly and it means  a new challenge at MMM ... This week Caz is our host and she loves colour combinations so she's chosen  

BLACK and PINK 

 for this week challenge.

Products
IndigoBlu: Bloomin Great... all images.
Versamark
Zig Art Pen: Peach pink .. I am surprised it's called Peach pink
Whispers Strokes:Black
Viva Pearl Pen: Black
Black EP
Clear Silicone Glue
Memories Dye Ink pad: Black
Distress Stickles.
Ribbon and pearls from stash

In this photo you can just about make out the Distress Stickles shimmering in the daylight but you can definitely see the pearl pen blobs.

I used silicone glue to adhere the flowers for added depth .  I was playing with these stamps for the first time and this card... "just growed!"  mind you that's how most of my work happens... I never have much of a plan just a rough idea which stamps I might use.
The DT as usual has some lovely work for you to peruse.. so please take a look here and join in.
 Thank you for looking
 xx Suzi B xx

Craft Barn Alpha/ Dictionary Challenge

The letter H is the chosen theme for the latest Craft Barn Alpha/Dictionary Challenge. When I first saw that the letter was to be H I immediately thought of "Time" we all seem to have an abundance of time related stamps etc.... My second thought was Hellebore (Christmas Rose) one of my favourite flowers... I have many favourite flowers :o).
 So here's my altered dictionary page ... and oh boy as it been altered....  :o)

  I gave the page a couple of coats of Gesso, whilst this was drying I stamped a variety of the Christmas Rose onto tissue paper and cut out and actually I placed them on the page before the gesso was dry. This is mark 2 ... I didn't like mark1... and I'm not so happy with this ... 

 I applied more Gesso over the mark 1... you can see evidence of it here and there on close up.
Not all the flowers were stamped onto tissue paper some, along with the leaves  were stamped directly onto the page. I must say before the gesso was completely dry I was in such hurry to be finished with it. I think need to search for a different Christmas rose stamp... more anatomically real... what do you think?
 thank you for looking
xx suzi b xx

Lovely Ladies

Hi all , every Wednesday morning  I volunteer at a local assisted living complex where I run the craft group. Here are a few of the lovely ladies with this weeks project which is the card I made for MMM add a charm, mid week motivation...  you can see it here

There's always lots of fun and laughter... in fact we can be a bit noisy! The lady in the middle at the back   ( promised I wouldn't use names) is a total new comer to card making and is thrilled at what she has achieved although she hates having her photograph taken :o) I like the fact that some weeks all the cards they make are slightly/completely different from the inspiration or each others... wonderful.
  Thank you for visiting, hope to see you again.
 xx Suzi b xx

Buttons and ribon

Good morning every one.. Monday morning already and time for another challenge at MMM. Fliss is our hostess this week and she wants us to use ribbon and buttons on your project. Please make sure you use both otherwise you won't be eligable for the Top 3
take a look at mine

Products
IndigoBlu: "Bloomin Great "rubber stamps stamped with Versamark , then embossed with Stampendous detail black EP. I lightly swiped Stickles: Diamond over the images with my finger .. made the colours pop... ...loved how it turnrd out.
Core'dinations card stock embossed with a Sissix EF which was then sanded
The flower and leaves were stamped onto background paper made with DI's: Peacock Feathers, Picked Raspberry and Squeezed Lemonade, sprayed over with Dylusions: Blueberry pink, Lemon Zest and Fresh Lime

 This is all that remains of the DP. I was going to use it with the flower but it didn't quite work... but at least you have an idea what it looked like before "stuff" was done to it! :o)


 
The buttons from stash were sprayed with Dylusions then Rubbed with Rubn'Buff antique gold and a little Stickles.

With Love tag:  Stamping all Day.
The DT have as usual  got some great inspiration for you at the  MMM challenge blog. hope to see you there soon.
 Don't forget  Jacqueline would like to increase the DT numbers and there is an on going Challenge for any one who would like to join us... If you didn't know it already we are a great bunch of friendly people... come on join us. see the link in my side bar.
take care
 xx Suzi B xx

Up in the air

at LIM. I immediately thought of  seeds blowing in the wind... well after I'd thought and started singing... up up and away in your beautiful machine... I am singing it and will be all day... thank you LIM!

Products
 My Minds Eye: Wild asparagus: Dandilions clear stamp
Words Like Honey: Butterfly
Background made with Wilko's Soft Pastels.
 Versafine Vintage Sepia ink
EF Craft Concepts: Dandelion Whisper.
 Cream textured card stock

I would love to own some Pan Pastels. I see lots of wonderful art work as I cruise Blogland. I saw one example this morning on Brenda Browns blog, Bumblebees and Butterflies which gave me the inspiration to use the Pastels I do own !

 

Not sure about this one! It's actually a lot paler than it looks here.

I've removed the square since taking the photo, not sure what I'll do ... need to cover a tiny bit of adhesive!
 Some thing else I haven't got a straight edged square punch... do have dies though perhaps that's why  never bought the punch!.
 have a great Sunday. I'm hoping to meet up with a girlfriend... coffee, cake and a good old catch up chat.
Bye for now... thank you for dropping in
xx Suzi b xx

 

Alpha Challenge at The Craft barn

I'm struggling in more ways than one with this challenge at the Craft Barn... I missed the deadline for C but I'm showing it here... And I'm not happy with my offering for E but I need to move away from it to get ready for the next letter... see If  I can do better... were have I heard that statement before! I've not even managed to pop over and comment on the entries... But I had a quick peak just now and oh boy.... there is fabulous colourful art work displayed...  I'm struggling with colour..
Hey Ho here's E...

I have gone around the edge of the page with DI Antique Linen but it's not easy to see... plus wasn't too easy to do without messing up the paper... good job it's vintage style

I do love the saying on this CI stamp... I could do with a man that's handy at the bottom of the garden... you know to fix things!  :o) I chose the image  for the eccentric saying!!

 My C for Crimson was finished too late for the challenge... but I'm pleased I've managed to do all three letters so far...

This is the state of my old dictionary the reason I chose it for this challenge was because it was falling to bits... but I wish I'd chosen the smaller one I also could have used ... you know pocket sized.
 I will have to glue it all together and rebind it at some point... Sue Roddis I may need your help :o)

Take care enjoy the rest of the week
Thank you for looking
xx Suzi B xx...

Flower Meadow at MMM

Good morning dear friends... it's Wednesday so time for MWM at MMM ...    and to be honest I've been so busy this week especially today I nearly forgot!! So this is a quick MWM make, using Pink Petticoats new digital papers... Isabelline

 I printed one A4 for the dandelion  DP and one A5 for the cut outs which gave depth. ... I was tempted to edge the cutouts with black. I also printed an A4 of the Delicate Doilies DP. I cut out two layers of one or two of the doilies in differing sizes, edged and swooshed front and back with DI Squeezed lemonade. Added buttons.. tut tut no thread! tiny black and yellow pearls, a Pink Petticoat greetings strip, black ribbon  and a bee.... voila...

 A bee in a flower meadow 

I just want to remind you about the DT call, it's running for two weeks so that gives you lots of time. We are a lovely, friendly, supportive bunch of crafters... there is never any pressure.... so come on join us, you ll enjoy it!  I was full of trepidation when I was invited to join.... but I love it and I love seeing every ones differing interpretation of each weeks challenge.


I now volunteer at an assisted living complex where I run the craft group every Wednesday 10.30-12.30 ha ha I'm usually still there at 1.30... I tell you we have so much fun. Coming up with a design  is always a challenge... I'm hoping they like this one and knowing them they'll all produce something different but the same... magic!
Thank you for popping in, always a pleasure to see you
xxSuzi B xx

Lets sing part two! and MMM DT call

Welcome to another Make My Monday challenge!  this week it's my turn  to host the challenge. I would like to see a

 CHARM on your projects. 

It can be anything as long as it has a charm of some description displayed.

Here's mine

I did this design for the LIM one layer challenge on Saturday, see here if you would like to see it before it was MMMondayed ...  :o)

 I decoupaged the bird and flowers and added seed beads to the centre of the flowers.

Then added a ribbon and the charm before layering the white water colour card onto pink card then onto the white 15cmx15cm white card.
Products

Stamps

Bird and flowers: Paperchase. stamped and masked before adding

Music: Pink Paisley

Sentiment: Hobby Craft

Versafine : Vintage Sepia.

Whispers Brush stroke pens.

Looking forward to seeing all your Charms! ..  the MMM DT have some great inspiration for you
 Thank you for coming by I am always pleased to see you.

and now the exciting bit
Jacqueline is  looking for more DT members to join us at MMM.  There will be  a post on the challenge blog later today  with all the information.

xx Suzi B xx
Challenges
Fashionable Stamping Challenge: Bird
There She Goes Clear stamps:    Flowers