Scrummy Blog Candy

Look what I came across on my blog travels! To be in with a chance to bag these gorgeous papers pop over to http://charmedcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-candy.html Hurry.... don't wait too long!

Girly door hanger

This door hanger was part of a pressie for Milly, one of my daughter's friends, her favourite colours are lilacs and aqua, so out came the acrylic paints along with glue, glitter, die-cutting machine and dies, ribbon, chipboard and my absoloute fave embellishments, prima flowers. I really enjoyed making this, it was the perfect excuse to get my crafty hoards out and get messy :)

Shame about the tidying up that had to be done afterwards :(

Birdy Card

The card above was made using hero arts sparkle stamp sets, I love working with these, they are so handy, the ones with birdy images on are just too cute!
Textured cardstock for the background which was stamped using a toning chalk ink pad. The main image stamped, coloured with watercolour pencils and layered using a fiskars circle template & cutter and a scallop punch. Stamped, coloured and cut flowers and a layered sentiment along with a finishing touch of teeny, swarovski crystals

Long time, no see, hear and speak!

Wow! I was beginning to think I was in serious danger of becoming a hermit!

I've missed blogging sooooooo much. Lot's to catch up on, I see I've been missing out on some fabulous work, girls (and guys!)

Computer crashes are definitely not fun.... coupled with a health crash too, things have been a little difficult lately to say the least! Anyway, I'm back, thank goodness.... and itching to set my fingers loose on lots more creative pursuits. I do hope you're all as well as can be and trying to make the most of the typical British weather..... I'm sure there is a big fireball, named the sun out there somewhere, fingers crossed we'll see it again pretty soon!

I've a few creative niblets that I managed to save from the archives that I can share. The one above is my first attempt at making jewellery. This was made at a trimcraft workshop nearly two years ago. We had to share a box of beads and findings, I was left with quite a lot of large beads and ended up making quite a 'different' bracelet than was originally intended. It was a fab day, everyone who attended had a great day and we had loads of fun learning some great beading techniques.

Shrink to Fit Challenge DCM

I think I've just managed to sneak these two in before this cahllenge ends... if so it's one of the first ones I have attempted & posted on time :) http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

There is a little 'artistic licence' going on with these cards...lol! I seem to remember that a sentiment could be included, so obviously this helped a lot with the layouts & the splatter & glitter on the long one if put together would'nt cover too much of an area.... I just decided to spread them out a bit - does it still count? I'll say, 'pretty please?'

Blooms are stamped images coloured with watercolour pencils.

Sentiments computer generated & handwritten.

Stickles diamond glue & swarovski crystals for a little bit of sparkle, which I just can't seem to live without... lol!

I am going to take myself of to sleep now as I am pooped & trying to be a good girl & get an early-ish night for a change! (Will do some blog visits tomorrow :)

TFN.

Sparkly Little Bags.

3 Cards made using downloads from http://www.pinkpetticoat.co.uk/ The lilac/mauve one was a first attempt at printing onto vellum & it did'nt turn out too bad.... just had to be patient and let the ink dry before handling. Brads & 3D foam pads used to attach image & vellum/paper. Glitter glue used for image & added to brads. Ribbon slide from Maya Road, I have finally used one! They are so pretty, I've been hoarding mine for more than a year, not wanting to part with them, maybe I'll get them all used & put the gorgeous tin they came in to good use too! (a look, but don't use item....lol! until now :) Brads are from Dovecraft, I think?

The turquoise/blue & pink one has an image that was coloured using lumiere paints, I've had these for ages, picture does'nt do these paints justice, a little goes a long way & they have a lovely irredescent finish. Flowers were hand cut from Pink Petticoat papers & little prima flowers added in the centre with a dot of 3D liquid pearls & pink pee-wee glitter. Background & layers again from Pink Petticoat. Ribbon from my stash. Not forgetting the inking with a black ink pad, methinks I was just a little over-enthusiastic with this.... as you can tell from the pink card too! lol!

The pink one...... Pink Petticoat downloads, Prima centre kisses for the corners, DCWV adhesive paper for the scallop mat, black card & 2mm swarovski crystals & lumiere paints for the bag image. The black mat was a little experiment with part of a flower punch on the corners!

Think I will have a change in direction & try something in a different style, I never had myself down as a girly person, but it seems to be coming out in my cards?!

Did anyone have a flutter on the G-g's this afternoon? Ahem...... I did & did'nt do too well :( I was right up there with 4 horses I'd picked out right up until the last few fences & then they tailed off! Never mind there's always another year. I will have my revenge, my other half picked the winner & I will not hear the last of it for a while no doubt!

An award from the lovely Steph.

A Big thankyou, Steph! Straight back at ya ;)
There are 5 rules to show in connection with this award.
1. Pick 5 blogs that you consider are deserving of this award for creativity,design, interesting material & also contributes towards the blogging community. Can be from any language or origin.
My five are: http://princess-creations.blogspot.com/
http://terriebaileys.blogspot.com/ (I suspect Terrie already has it ;)
the super-talented Jo Kill http://jo-kill.blogspot.com/
http://juliesinkspot.blogspot.com/
A newly discovered one for me http://adayinthelifeofthepaperpoppy.blogspot.com/
2. Each award has to have the name of the author & a link to his or her blog.
3. Each award winner has to link back to the giver of the award. http://stephaniejomayne.blogspot.com/
4. Award winner has to show link back to the origin of the award http://arteypico.blogspot.com/
5. Finally show theses rules.
Enjoy your awards girls!

Think Pinks (& Black & White!)

I made this card which I think would qualify for the mid-week extra on the DCM Challenge which was to make your own blooms. Black pigment pen, white gel pen & white acrylic paint & a kiddies stencil was used to create the blooms & wave/scallop. Black & white brads for the flower centres & dot above the 'i' A little bit of dotty doodling & handwritten sentiment. I've just realised I could do a double challenge... can I be cheeky & use this for the PTW 'Making waves.' Challenge too?

Another 'side-track' or two on my tidying session.... needless to say, I have only just scratched the surface of my tidying/organising effort..lol!

Some stamping & watercolouring for this one, the stamp is an old one from S for Stamps that magically appeared from the depths of my crafting hoard! Papers are from Pink Petticoat :)

Sentiment handwritten. Prima flower & Jazzy Brad in the centre. I just love the haughtiness of this image, very Parisian Chic, I think.

Its Easter!

Happy Easter to everyone.

Hope you all have a lovely time! OXOXO

Oooh! I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Terrie http://terriebaileys.blogspot.com/ Thankyou Terrie, I'm flattered!
I have to give up seven random or wierd facts about myself....ooooer!

1. The best part of my youth was lived through the 80's..... New romantics, new-wave punk, mods, back-combed hair & dodgy fashions! But, hey... I remember it fondly :)
2. I can live without fame & fortune... but, I do 'Spot the Ball' religously every week in the hope that one day I might be able to live quietly & comfortably!
3.I have completed a half-marathon not so long ago in a respectable time. Very hard to believe looking at myself now.... unfit & overly big :(
4. I am just a hippy at heart. I love the simple things in life & enjoy going 'bare-foot,' a childhood habit that I've never outgrown!
5. I'm not very well travelled, having only been out of the country once, on a short holiday to France with my family.
6. Chocolate! I adore choccy bars, but hate chocolate sauce?!
7. Finally, for some reason pipe-smoke tobacco reminds me of the smell of ice-cream!
Don't ask me why, it just does!
Now then, who do I tag....?

Julie http://juliesinkspot.blogspot.com/
Steph http://stephaniejomayne.blogspot.com/
Leann http://leanns-ramblings.blogspot.com/
Sammie http://buttonzandbradz.blogspot.com/
Julie http://cardsbyjulie.blogspot.com/
Marieke http://mariekevermeulen.blogspot.com/
Dawny http://pinkpiggywiggy.blogspot.com/

My First Proper Award

Dawny has very kindly given me this award... thankyou Dawny, I'm flattered!
I have been having trouble putting links up for some reason, so I've decided that anyone who's listed in my fave blogs deserves this award also, along with anyone that's ever received a comment from myself.... you all help to inspire and this always helps to make my day!

For Mum

This one's for mum.X
The PIF goodies were exactly right for my mum's day card, she loves daffs & hedgehogs & I knew I had some DCWV posies card somewhere that would work well with some of the bits, the image was coloured using pencil crayons, so here is the finished article.
Hope all mums out there had a great mother's day, I certainly did! A jolly-jaunt around the local garden centre, followed by a carvery lunch with my nearest & dearest & when we landed at home a new camera! I can finally let my good friend & neighbour have her's back....the new one will be well tried & tested tomorrow, I've loads to catch up on & photograph.
TTFN.

PIF - Cute Stash!

I received lots of bits to play with from Steph..... Thankyou Steph, I can't wait to settle down to some 'me' time & play, things have been full-on for me over the last few days, but hopefully I'll gain a respite soon!
The first three people to leave a comment will each get a few crafty bits from my stash sent out to them & then they too can PIF to 3 more who are first to leave comments. I think thats how it works?! I am new to this!
Hopefully will have some more things to post over the next few days.
TTFN.

Birthday Cards

Two more cards . These were made for two of my daughter's friends who both share a birthday .

Pink Petticoat images used on the first along with duo pink/orange card stock & Making Memories 'maddie' papers & tiny pink buttons, images coloured with aqua pencils.

The second I used Pink Petticoat Big Dots & Blooming Doodles images coloured with aqua pencils & with a smidge of stickles glitter & layered onto dark pink card . Dotty grosgrain ribbon is from my own stash. Square scallop punch (woodware)

Love Was In the Air! (Belated)

Just popping these up to share. They were a team effort between my daughters & meself!
I had a frantic day when trying to make these, as usual everything was last minute with me.... I really must get organised! The first one was made with a leather look blue card, pink petticoat papers & heart image medium red brads from dovecraft & smashed font edited in word.

The second was so simple & quick that I had to pinch myself & then restrain myself from going any further. Again, Big Dots download from pink petticoat & heart image from sweet cupcake collection were used.

Handmade with Love.

I have just brought this home with me after a flying visit this weekend to the in-laws, it needed some more glue on the photos as they were starting to lift. It was a Christmas present to them back in 2006. My first attempt at trying to put something nice together on canvas.

Canvas was bought from eBay & I used Prima Flowers & Clear Swarovski flatback crystals to embellish. The decorative corners were made by using some freebie foam stamps from a paper craft magazine - pigment ink & gold embossing powder.

View From Our front Door

I took this series of piccies a month or so back after getting up at an unearthly hour to drop my other half off at work...I needed the car. (the things I have to do! He has a lambretta (:cool of cool :) but, not much use when the weather is a bit chilly.....bless.)

They were only taken within a matter of minutes of each other & I was amazed that you can actually see the difference. We live in a small house in a quietish village, we need to move really as we are all a bit cramped, but as you can see the location is lovely.... even on a cold, frosty morning.

Could'nt Resist!

At long last I have managed to find a few spare moments & a camera for a few days, I've just a few images to upload as I am a busy bunny at the mo..... Lots of catching up to do!

The card was just crying out to be made with yet another Pink Petticoat purchase!

Paper, sweet cupcake collection images, monograms - curly tail's downloads all from Pink Petticoat & just simple cutting, layering, a bit of tweaking in MS paint & a dab here & there with 3d gloss accents, plus eyelets.

Voila! A rather cheeky card for my beloved!

Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh! HELP!

Horror has struck today. My trusted camera has finally packed up & run out on me!
I've had it years & just lately my pics have not been brilliant.... I thought it was my limited photography skills, but now I am not so sure!
I am lost without my camera. I had some cards to upload & pics to take for work too! What's a girl to do? I am skint, so no chance of a new one :(
Think I will have to go on the scrounge & ring round to see if friends or family maybe can lend me one for a day or two.
Posting will resume when problem is solved.
Katty.
OXOXO.

Just A Quickie! LOL!

I will share this card I made with you all.
Made using Pink petticoat products, stickles glitter glue in gold for embellishing, sheer gold organza ribbon & a 3d sentiment.
I must apologise....I'm not taking great pics at the mo, I seem to be getting a lot of shadow. Lack of natural light is not helping either. :(
I hope everyone has had a Cracking Christmas & hopefully we've all recovered from the nasty viruses that seem to have plagued everyone recently.
I have'nt posted much lately, I've had a nasty relapse & my energy levels are'nt great, plus my brain just does not want to function properly!
Hopefully I should be posting a bit more, once I get organised, I have some crafty plans & ideas in the pipeline.... more later.