For a Very Special Friend

Good Morning Everyone,

I'm determined to be positive about today even though the weather is downright horrible!!!  I'm hoping it dries up just a little bit as I have to go down the road to let my friend's two dogs out at lunchtime.  Lucky lady, she's off to Bermuda to spend a week with her daughter who works out there and leaving her OH and the dogs to fend for themselves, Lol!

Anyway, I have a card I want to share with you (actually my other makes are all DT stuff so I can't share them much as I'd like to) which I made a couple of weeks ago for one of my Very Special Friends from the Craft Stamping Quartet.  It was a joy to make a card for Elaine, as it always is with these ladies because they and their friendship mean such a lot to me.

Unfortunately, I didn't make a note of the colours I used but for a change, I used Adirondacks mainly because I know they are Elaine's favourites and suffice to say, I used as many autumnal colours as I had in my collection (it turned out I had quite a few, Lol).  I started off by blending the colours over my cardstock starting with the lightest colour first and then before adding the darker shades I  placed a Tattered Angles Glimmer Screen onto my work.  There are a couple of different tree ones and I moved them around the card as I gradually built up the colour.  I then stamped the lovely delicate script stamp from the Elusive Images Antiquities (the same stamp is on a different DL sized plate too) plate all over, stamping off first onto scrap paper.  Next came the tree stamps from Tattered Angels and I'm pretty sure I used Adirondack Espresso for those.  I used the same colour background inks on a tag and then stamped a Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz quote from the Urban Chic set.  I think I used a branch stamp from the same set round the edge of the tag. 

I used a leaf stamp I've had for ages to stamp out lots of leaves inking the stamp with a couple of different colours and then watercoloured them using the Adirondacks.  When they were dry I cut them all out and gave them a thin layer of decoupage varnish (Wow, definitely needed a well ventilated are for that!), shaped them gently with my fingers and used dimensional glue to position them on the card.  The birthday sentiment is also from an Elusive Images set of birthday words.

Thoroughly enjoyed playing with this one especially as I knew it would be appreciated.

Before I shoot off to get some of those pesky chores out of the way,  I must apologise again for being so far behind with blog visits.  For some reason, life seems to be getting in the way of crafting and it's associated pleasures at the moment but I'm hoping things settle down soon.

Hope the weather isn't too miserable where you are and that you all have a lovely weekend.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

It's a .........................................

TRICK!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry crafters,  I'm afraid I don't have any candy for you either this time.  You should be whittling us down now until there will only be the candy givers left.  If you haven't left a comment on ALL the Elusive Images DT members blogs you still have chance to find the ones that are left in the next hour or so.

As a little consolation here is sneaky pic of another of my Design Team projects for the Halloween Stamps.  I used a slightly unusual method of cutting my base card using a Nestablity Label 1.  I can't claim credit for this technique but if you go here to my DT buddy Ikki's blog, that's where I found the 'how to'.  She's one clever lady with a Cuttlebug and dies and has a beautiful blog with lots of lovely tips and tutorials. 

When the card is opened out it looks like this.

Well, that's it from me for the first Elusive Images Design Team blog hop but keep an eye on us by clicking on the EI DT button in my sidebar.  You never know when the chance to win more fabulous Elusive Images goodies is going to arise and of course, you still have to find the candy givers this time yet!  Many thanks for visiting and leaving all your lovely comments and especially thankyou to all the lovely people who joined my band of followers throughout the week.  I'm away visiting my daughter over the weekend to spend some time discussing Wedding Plans (note the capitals, Lol!) but will do my best to visit all of you during next week.

Have a lovely weekend everyone and good luck finding the TREATS!

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

Is it TRICK or is it TREAT?????

Hi Blog Hoppers and all Crafty People,

Just a quick share of one of the cards I made with the fabulous fun Elusive Images Halloween stamps.

I coloured the scarecrow and corn stooks with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and then went over them with a Versamark pen and heat embossed with clear EP.  Once it had cooled,  I blended Distress Inks in Stormy Sky, Weathered Wood and a little Chipped Sapphire for the sky and Pumice Stone and I think, Frayed Burlap for the field.

I stamped the  Trick or Treat and embossed with clear EP and then blended the same two Distress Inks that I'd used for the field.  I then punched a leafy 'ribbon' from a sheet of Artylicious designer paper from the Echoes of Italy pack using a Martha Stewart border punch and I also stamped and embossed the pumpkins onto the same paper.  I added colour depth using my Coloursoft pencils again and then cut them all out.  The smoke tendrils were a bit tricky as I'm not the best at cutting out with a craft knife but I'm improving especially since I started using a glass worktop protector I found in the reduced section at TKMaxx.  It makes it much easier to control the knife.  I then shaped the pumpkins gently with my fingers before arranging them in a heap and attaching them with dimensional glue (e.g. silicone or Pinflair).

Finally, I used a Nestie labels 1 set of dies to matt and layer the images and from the same double sided (one side pale orange and the other darker) card I again used my MS border punch to get all the teeny leaves.  I touched the edges of each one with Vintage Photo Distress Ink on a piece of Cut n Dry and stuck them on with the dimensional glue.  I really enjoyed all the fiddly little bits to making this card.

Now then,  are you sure you have visited all the other Elusive Images Design Team members???  You have until tomorrow early evening to leave a comment on them all because there's no way of knowing which of us is TRICKING or which of us is going to be TREATING at the end of the day.  If you click on the EI DT logo to the left in my sidebar you will go straight to the DT blog where all the links to the other members are listed and you should also leave a comment on the DT blog too as there might be a TREAT for someone there too.  Happy hunting!

Hugs

Lesley  Xx

PS   I keep forgetting to say that if you haven't already noticed, you can click on the photos to get the enlarged image and a better look at the details.

The Spooky Mood Continues into WOYWW - 15 September 2010.

Hi to All you lovely Visitors,

Crikey it's only 11.20 am and I'm starting my WOYWW blog post, Haha!  That beats last week by a long way doesn't it and so far this morning Mr Blogger seems to be behaving (sshhhhh don't let him hear me) and is responding to commands without delay or messing about so hopefully I will be able to visit some more lovely blogs from the list on Julia's blog.  I have big apologies to make to the people on last weeks list, especially the ones who managed to visit me because I just couldn't get into comments (except for a tiny few which took me forever) for over a week and it's been driving me bonkers.  Anyway, enough waffle, on with my proper post.

This is the state of my desk at the moment.

Centre stage is the card I made last night (close up below) as an extra for the Elusive Images DT blog hop.  If you scroll down to my previous post you will see what I'm talking about and might want to take a hop round the fun makes my DT buddies have come up with beginning with the Elusive Images DT Blog which has all the links.  There's some stamp candy hidden in them thar blogs but you won't know where until the draw takes place on Friday.  You have till then to leave comments on each blog to be in with a chance of winning some of the spooky stamps.

All those lovely Adirondack inkpads were used on a project I thoroughly enjoyed making because it was for a special friend but she hasn't received it yet so it will have to wait until the weekend before I can show that one.

The final pic I want to share with you is of the contents of the cello bag on the extreme right of the desk photo.  When I went to the Graphicus Crafter's Paradise Retreat a couple of weekends ago I hadn't had time to make any ATCs to swap but several of the lovely crafters there were kind enough to give me RAKs and they are beautiful.  Here they are and thank you to the kind ladies who gave them to me.  I shall treasure them as another reminder of a fabulous weekend shared with lovely people.

Well, that's it from me on this somewhat grey, slightly drizzly Wednesday (kind of matches my All Souls Day card, Lol).  If you want to join in the WOYWW fun pop over to Julia's blog to see what's happening this week.  As always I treasure any comments you have time to leave and I'm soooo keeping my fingers crossed I can do some commenting myself tonigh.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

It's a SPOOKYLICIOUS Blog Hop - Climb on your virtual broomstick!

Happy Monday Morning All,

First of all I have to issue an apology to all the blogs I visit for not leaving comments over the past week or so.  I've been having terrible trouble with Mr Blogger and in some cases had to give up on leaving comments altogether.  I hardly dare say it but things seem to be somewhat improved since yesterday but of course, I am waaaayyyy behind now so please bear with me while I catch up.  I do hate not being able to leave comments when I visit my fave blogs and all those lovely WOYWWers to say how much I love all the fab inspiration I see in blogland.  XXX

Anyway, let's get down to the Spooky business of the day, Lol!

Today, Monday 13th September sees the start of the Elusive Images Halloween Blog Hop.  My brilliantly talented DT buddies and myself have been busy working with some fabulous Halloween Stamps and I've had such a lot of fun..  I've had a great time playing with these stamps and I know my teamies have too judging by the fab projects they have come up with.  They are the perfect opportunity to play with colours you perhaps wouldn't normally use, acidy greens, bright oranges and gothicky purples, not to mention BLACK.  My daughter is wanting to 'borrow' mine to make invitations to her birthday party which is going to have a Halloween theme.

Now, if you would like to have a chance of winning some of these brilliant fun stamps you need to hop around ALL the DT members' blogs and don't forget the Elusive Images Design Team blog too.  Don't miss anyone out as there are two blogs that have the candy on offer but you won't know which ones until the winners are announced on Friday 17th September.  If you click on the Elusive Images DT logo button in my sidebar you will fly on your virtual broomstick to the blog where you will find links to all the DT members and at some point today, more details of the hop and all the stamps.  Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog as you go so that those of us with the candy (am I one?!?  ............. perhaps!?!) can enter you into the draw which will be by Random.org, put a link on your own blog to spread the word and join the EI followers.  Obviously I would love you to join my lovely band of followers but I don't make it a condition on my own blog.

Here is the card I made for this blog hop.

Ingredients
Elusive Images Halloween Candle Stamp plate - UDLSP0338
A4 ivory textured cardstock folded in half to make A5 portrait card base
Black card
Green Pearl card
Smooth White card
Ranger Archival or Memories black inkpad
Adirondack Citrus Inkpad
Pumice Stone and Milled Lavender Distress Inks
Clear Embossing powder
Stamp n Stuff Twilight Embossing Powder
Nestabilities bats dies
Nestabilities deckle edged rectangles
Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and blending pencil
Ribbon

Method
Layer the black card and then the green card onto the card base using double sided tape (DST).
Stamp the Candlestick and Pumpkin image onto the bottom right corner of the white cardstock in black and clear emboss.
Stamp the chandelier in black just to right of centre at the top of the white cardstock and emboss with the Twilight EP and then carefully position the cobweb and stamp in black onto the chandelier.
Colour the candlestick and pumpkin and then blend the Pumice Stone and Milled Lavender DIs over the cardstock avoiding the candlestick and pumpkin
On a small piece of white card stamp the All Hallows Eve using Adirondack Citrus and clear emboss then blend the DIs.  Cut out with the 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm deckle edged rectangle die and adhere in position using 3D foam pads.
Cut two of the Shapeability bats from black card, curve the wings a little and adhere where desired with a little 3 dimensional glue (I used Pinflair).
Cut 3 lengths of ribbon and attach to the back of the stamped image with DST slightly overlapping each other.
Bring the ribbon to the front and and tie them together with narrow ribbon to make it look like a tied back curtain and again, using very small pieces of DST, attach the ribbon down the side and across the bottom.
Finally, position this top layer and attach with DST.


I did also use a chandelier stamp from a Graphicus Guild themeplate.  Keep your eyes peeled on the Elusive Images DT blog for details of some fab new themeplates which include some lovely chandeliers amongst other things.

Well, I'm off to do some dreaded h.........k!  Happy Hopping everyone and hope you all have a good week.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

Elusive Images Blog Hop - Beginning Monday (edit) 13th September!

Good Morning Everyone,

I hope your Saturday morning weather has been as nice where you are as it is here - lovely blue sky, fluffy white clouds and lots of sunshine.

This is just a very quick post to let you know that on Monday the Elusive Images Design Team are starting a blog hop.  Your starting point will be the Elusive Images DT blog (click on the logo in my sidebar) so don't forget to pop over there and then hop round to see all the lovely projects that my DT buddies and myself have created.

Here is a little taster of my offering!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing and see you on Monday.

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

NB   Sorry everyone, my brain was not firing on all cylinders this morning obviously because Monday is the 13th not the 15th DOH!!!!!

WOYWW - 8 September ............... drat, missed it !!!!!!!

Hello Everyone,

If I'm quick I might just make this post while it's still Wednesday.

I was on a fabulous Graphicus Crafters' Paradise Retreat last weekend and you can see some of my incomplete projects on my desk.  I only managed to complete one of the six brilliant projects during the Retreat but I will be completing them at home.  They are too good to leave unfinished.

This was my only finished piece and I love it.
                                                
                                                      

And this one is almost complete.  It just needs a few finishing touches.
                                                           

Oh well, it looks like I'm a few minutes late but I hope you'll let me off.  I've been trying to do this post nearly all day but life sure do get in the way sometimes even at this time of night, Lol!

If you want to check out the rest of the WOYWWers click here to go to Julia's blog where all will be revealed.

Nite all,

Hugs
Lesley  Xx