Sunday 30 May 2010

We're all going on a ....................................

........................................... Crafting Holiday!!!!!

Hello and Happy Bank Holiday everyone. It's been a very miserable start to it here in my neck of the woods with rain almost all day yesterday but today has been pleasant if a little windy. Tomorrow should be a bit warmer though so we'll see.

Well, as I said in the title, I'm going away for a few days next week and here's the best bit, I'm going with my three Craft Stamping Quartet buddies. A few months ago we decided to arrange our own little mini crafting retreat. Elaine found us a couple of very reasonably priced cottages on a farm in Bedford for four nights. It's just about central for us all to get to and we've worked out an itinerary to include a couple of fairly big projects and a few smaller ones where we will share tips and techniques with each other. We're also going to spend one day at a workshop with Linda Elbourne at LBCrafts. Ooooh, I can't wait for that one as I'm a big fan of Linda's work. How much of our projects we manage to get done remains to be seen as we could well spend a lot of time chatting and laughing as the four of us rarely manage to all be together at the same time.

The only problem with organising our retreat has been trying to decide what and how much of my craft stash to take. I seem to be taking everything but the kitchen sink but I'm convinced that the one stamp or inkpad that I decide to leave behind is bound to end up being the one I really, really need, Lol!

Anyway, before I tootle off down the M1 I thought I ought to show you something I made recently just so you don't think I've dropped off the face of the earth, Lol!


This simple card was made using a Nestie label die to cut out the base card, making sure that the top edge just overlapped the fold. I used a stamp from the Elusive Images Glorious Spring plate and inked the image up using Marvy markers so that I could colour each bit of the image individually. I deliberately kept the ink patchy on the hare and coloured the flowers infront of him after stamping the image as they are in the negative on the stamp. I then blended a little Distress Ink round the edges of the card and stamped the little quote which is from the same themeplate.



There are some lovely springtime stamps on this plate including pussy willow branches and primroses and it makes a change to have a hares instead of a rabbits too.

This next card was made using another Elusive Images set of stamps called Patchwork Butterfly. One of the stamps is a huge beautiful butterfly image plus a couple of smaller ones but for this card I decided to use this lovely flowery image.


I stamped the image onto glossy cardstock and then watercoloured the flowers, etc. I mounted this onto some Bazzil cardstock which I had run through a Cuttlebug embossing folder and gently wiped over with ink on Cut'n'Dry. I dry embossed some lines on my Scor Pal and stamped some flourishes down the side from the same stamp plate.


The sentiment is yet another EI stamp and I love that loopy font.

Well, as I said, I'm off on a jaunt on Tuesday but something happened today that nearly put paid to my trip. I tripped over my backdoor step and crashed onto my knees and into our patio table, hitting my right eye on the edge of the table. I've ended up with a lovely shiner, cut eyebrow and very bruised knee to go away with!!! It could have been very much worse though. At the very least I cannot understand how my glasses are still in one piece but I'm so glad they are as I would have been struggling all week with my old ones.

Anyway, have a really good week everyone and I hope I manage to finish one of our projects next week to show you when I get back. As always, I thank you for your visits and especially appreciate the time you take to leave a comment.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Owwww, that sounds painful Lesley.

Lovely cards, I didn't get the hare stamps but I do love the patchwork butterfly stamps.

Looking forward to seeing your makes after your week away.

Take more care!

Love, Kate x

Sally H said...

Gorgeous cards, Lesley! I love them both. I hope you have a wonderful time with your mates. Sounds idyllic! Hope your eye and knees are okay too. I've done something similar recently. I sort my washing into loads on the kitchen floor, and managed to get my feet ravelled in it and fell on my knees on the tiles. they went some very pretty colours!

Michelle said...

Hi Lesley
Just been catching up on your work and I'm just blown away! Love your beautiful box - those roses are amazing! your block of wood is just out of this world and your cards are wonderful. Sorry to read you've had this wrotten cold and have had a fall but thrilled t hear that you're off for a few days with your crafty friends. I love the retreats we organise up here, such a great way to spend your time!
Have fun
x Michelle

Val said...

Ouch!! That sounds really painful. Take care. I completely understand how it is possible - I even managed to trip over going in the front door a while back ...

Love your work. The image of the hare is great - like the way you have kept to soft subtle colours.

Have a wonderful crafty break, and enjoy your class with Linda E. I am sure it will be huge fun - her blog makes me hoot. I have just booked some classed with her as well. Your notice I said 'some' - in fact 4!!
Love and Hugs
Valxx

Suzi B said...

Ooh ... taht fall sounds painful... glad it wasn't any worse. The cards are gorgeous as usual. Have a great crafty time. Lokking forward to seeing what you get up to :-)
Sue B xx

Beryl said...

Two wonderful projects Lesly. I love the stamping onto the black card - very effective. I hope you have a great time with your crafting buddies - hope the black eye fades soon.
Beryl xx

Elaine said...

Great work as always Lesley, those springtime stamps are gorgeous aren't they and Patchwork Butterfly must count as one of my all time favourites. I think I have used the giant butterfly more than any other stamp I have.

We are all really on countdown now for our crafty break. Can't wait to catch up with you all.

Elaine xx

lisa said...

Hi Lesley
I'm so glad you're feeling much better after your horrible cold but what bad luck falling like that. Thankgoodness you didn't break your glasses!!!! As my Mum would say, you need to take more water with it!!
I've just been having a catch up on that stunning box you made for your DIL. What a lovely idea for a gift. Those metal roses are fab, what a colour and all the decoration is amazing. Something to be treasured for ever.
These cards are beautiful too. I was interested to see what you've done with the big flower panel, it works really well as the centre piece. I've been stuck with how to use it but shall have a go now.
Have a great holiday with your crafting buddies.
Hugs Lisax

Lynne K said...

Hi Lesley, sorry to hear about your mishap - hope your eye isn't too painful. Love the cards, both very pretty. Have a great time at your retreat. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make! xx

Aquarius said...

Lovely cards and I'm sorry to hear of your little accident - I hope this doesn't stop you enjoying your time away with crafty friends. Have a wonderful time and I look forward to seeing what you all come up with.

Janet said...

Congratulations on your win at Sir Stampalot! I just knew your box was a winner. Have a lovely few days away and come back all fired up!! Sorry to hear you had a bit of a tumble earlier on. Hope it will not impede you on your mini break.

Well done!

Janet xx

Suzanne C said...

Sounds like your box won?!!! Yeah! Sorry about your tumble. OUCH! I hope you are having fun with your crafty buddies. Love your bunny and scene. So very lovely and the the second card is so striking with the black background.

Jules said...

Hi Lesley

I thought I had already commented here ?!?!? Perhaps I am cracking up slowly!!!

Lovely makes as always and your time away sounds amazing. I am sure you will have a brilliant time.

Sorry to hear about your "clumsy" spell. Sounds like you were fortunate in some ways .. .. but not to fall in the first place would have been good. When we are kids we fall over every other hour and think nothing of it(well I did anyway)but as we get older it really shakes us up doesn't it.

I will look forward to hearing all about your antics whilst away on your return .. .. and try to keep upright.

Have fun!

Love Jules xx

Maya said...

Ohhhh such wonderful cards!!
Love the last one, such wonderful colors, LOVE it :)
Hugs from Maya

Phree said...

Wow Lesley, you have been making some lovely things recently. The spring hare card is lovely, really delicate and that memories box further down is just divine.

Hope you are having a blast on your crafty quartet retreat!

Debbie Dolphin said...

oh wow lesley what can i say but WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW for every post ive missed lately. I dont know why ive missed these. saying that ive been busy with the school hols!!and joined a gym!!lol i need to shift the crafting behind!!!lol
40 in two months and ive suddenly had a panic!!hee hee
I love everything you have done and the blue metal roses are amazing.xxxx
love debbie xxx

Debbie said...

Hi Lesley...your retreat sound idyllic...I hope you had fun and I look forward to seeing what you created.
I hope your eye and knee are better...what a pair we are!...I stabbed myself in the bum! LOL I should look before I sit down next time...I had left my craft knife on my chair! LOL
Hugs
Debbie x

Tracy Evans said...

Stunning cards, they are both beautifully put together. Have a good day, Tracy Evans x