Hello and Welcome lovely visitors,
This is just a very quick post to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and to say I hope you all have a lovely holiday period doing whatever you enjoy the most, whether that be big family parties or quiet times relaxing or maybe going out for a nice country walk if our blooming weather permits or a mixture of it all. To any of you lovely people who have been caught up in the awful floods I hope you are somewhere warm and dry and things get back to normal for you as quickly as possible.
We have a day with our DD and her family on Christmas Day. I can't wait to see the littlies with their presents and then a quiet day to ourselves on Boxing Day. No doubt OH will be watching sport and I plan on a day in my craftroom (not had one of those for ages).......... Bliss! I'll even try for a blog post with the very few Christmas cards I managed to make this year, lol!
Have a lovely time everyone.
Big Christmassy Hugs
Lesley Xx
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Saturday, 8 December 2012
Whoohoo!!!! I have something to blog and it fits a challenge!
Hello lovely visitors,
Well, are you all ready for Christmas? Actually, never mind ready, have you made all your cards? You have! Er........ well, you're 100% better than me because I've only made TWO and confess I've had to resort to (whisper) buying mine this year. I'm not going to beat myself up about it though because I really have had a lot on my plate this year and if it wasn't my time flying out the window it was my mojo, lol! Never mind, it'll soon be a brand new year and I am determined to believe 2013 will be better, as far as crafting is concerned anyway.
However, today I have got a make to show you. It was my lovely buddy (and wonderful crafter), Judith's birthday at the end of last week and I struggled all week to make her a card and I'm sorry to say, I had to send her an apologetic message saying it was going to be late. Late! It nearly didn't get made at all but I was determined so I stuck at it until I got something I was relatively happy with and Judith finally got her card yesterday.
Unfortunately, I really struggled to capture the true colours of this card on my photos. On here it looks a tad too blue and as I used Tumbled Glass and Broken China Distress Inks, you'll know it should look more turquoise(y).
I started out with a 21cm square card base and stamped an Artemio wildflower image at random with Versamark ink, heat embossed with clear embossing powder and then blended the two Distress Inks mentioned together with Vintage Photo. When I had the effect I wanted I covered the card with paper kitchen towel and ironed over the top to remove the embossing.
I then took a large tag, spritzed it with water and then put some Tumbled Glass and Picket Fence Distress Stain on my craft mat, spritzed that with water and swiped my tag through it. I repeated this several times, drying with my heat gun between each layer and finally flicking some water from my fingers and blotting it off to create the bleached effect here and there. I then stamped images from PaperArtsy and Indigoblu using Distress Inks and Coffee Archival, spritzed with Gold Glimmer Mist and then edged with Vintage Photo DI. I used a mask at the top of the tag and applied Golden Texture Paste coloured with a little Broken China DI through the mask. I left it to cure overnight and then touched it with Viva Inca Gold to highlight the texture.
I stamped the lovely Stampendous bird image onto ivory card and added the word Dream which is a Chocolate Baroque stamp. I coloured with DIs and added a little Derwent Coloursoft pencil before cutting out with a Nestie label and lightly blended DI's around the edge before removing the die. I took some Prima flowers and touched them lightly with DI's and spritzed with Gold GM's. I also die cut the leafy sprays with a Marianne die from some fibrous handmade paper. I arranged all the elements onto the card before adhering them. Oooh, nearly forgot the cute little wooden bird. He came from The Stamp Connection and I tapped him with the Versamark inkpad before sprinkling him with Judi-Kins Rustique Bent Nail embossing powder (from my lovely candy win the other week).
Well, are you all ready for Christmas? Actually, never mind ready, have you made all your cards? You have! Er........ well, you're 100% better than me because I've only made TWO and confess I've had to resort to (whisper) buying mine this year. I'm not going to beat myself up about it though because I really have had a lot on my plate this year and if it wasn't my time flying out the window it was my mojo, lol! Never mind, it'll soon be a brand new year and I am determined to believe 2013 will be better, as far as crafting is concerned anyway.
However, today I have got a make to show you. It was my lovely buddy (and wonderful crafter), Judith's birthday at the end of last week and I struggled all week to make her a card and I'm sorry to say, I had to send her an apologetic message saying it was going to be late. Late! It nearly didn't get made at all but I was determined so I stuck at it until I got something I was relatively happy with and Judith finally got her card yesterday.
Unfortunately, I really struggled to capture the true colours of this card on my photos. On here it looks a tad too blue and as I used Tumbled Glass and Broken China Distress Inks, you'll know it should look more turquoise(y).
I started out with a 21cm square card base and stamped an Artemio wildflower image at random with Versamark ink, heat embossed with clear embossing powder and then blended the two Distress Inks mentioned together with Vintage Photo. When I had the effect I wanted I covered the card with paper kitchen towel and ironed over the top to remove the embossing.
I then took a large tag, spritzed it with water and then put some Tumbled Glass and Picket Fence Distress Stain on my craft mat, spritzed that with water and swiped my tag through it. I repeated this several times, drying with my heat gun between each layer and finally flicking some water from my fingers and blotting it off to create the bleached effect here and there. I then stamped images from PaperArtsy and Indigoblu using Distress Inks and Coffee Archival, spritzed with Gold Glimmer Mist and then edged with Vintage Photo DI. I used a mask at the top of the tag and applied Golden Texture Paste coloured with a little Broken China DI through the mask. I left it to cure overnight and then touched it with Viva Inca Gold to highlight the texture.
(this photo shows the nearest to true colours)
I stamped the lovely Stampendous bird image onto ivory card and added the word Dream which is a Chocolate Baroque stamp. I coloured with DIs and added a little Derwent Coloursoft pencil before cutting out with a Nestie label and lightly blended DI's around the edge before removing the die. I took some Prima flowers and touched them lightly with DI's and spritzed with Gold GM's. I also die cut the leafy sprays with a Marianne die from some fibrous handmade paper. I arranged all the elements onto the card before adhering them. Oooh, nearly forgot the cute little wooden bird. He came from The Stamp Connection and I tapped him with the Versamark inkpad before sprinkling him with Judi-Kins Rustique Bent Nail embossing powder (from my lovely candy win the other week).
I'm so glad I persevered because in the end I was quite pleased with this card and Judith said she liked it too. Not only that, I realised that it fits with Hels Sheridan's Sunday Stampers Challenge 234 this week where the theme is tags! I hardly ever enter challenges because I forget to look if my project fits any themes, lol, so I'm really pleased that finally I have an entry for Hels' Challenge which I've wanted to join in with for an absolute age.
Well I hope you're all set for a good weekend. I'm finally putting our tree up tomorrow, something else that is a week late being done, ;D. Stay warm and cosy everyone. I'm dreading the temperatures we are supposed to have in store for us next week, Brrrr! Till next time ..............
Hugs
Lesley Xx
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Snazzys DT project #2 ........ or half of it at least!
Hello again lovely visitors and thanks for stopping by.
This is a teensy sneak peek of my final project for Snazzys this year. Please pop over to the DT Blog to see the project in full and the how to and leave me a little comment if you have time :o). The reference to 'half the project' is also explained in the DT blog post, lol!
One thing I haven't said in the DT blog post is that I saw something similar in a local rather posh garden centre shop a few weeks ago. I was amazed that they were asking £3.99 and all theirs had on it was a vintage style scene printed onto a rectangle of paper with a thin glitter edging! Still, I'm glad I saw them because it gave me the idea for my project and I'm really pleased with it. I will definitely be making more in the future.
I'll be back again over the weekend as, believe it or not, I have something I made which was not made for the DT. Hope you can come back then.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
This is a teensy sneak peek of my final project for Snazzys this year. Please pop over to the DT Blog to see the project in full and the how to and leave me a little comment if you have time :o). The reference to 'half the project' is also explained in the DT blog post, lol!
One thing I haven't said in the DT blog post is that I saw something similar in a local rather posh garden centre shop a few weeks ago. I was amazed that they were asking £3.99 and all theirs had on it was a vintage style scene printed onto a rectangle of paper with a thin glitter edging! Still, I'm glad I saw them because it gave me the idea for my project and I'm really pleased with it. I will definitely be making more in the future.
I'll be back again over the weekend as, believe it or not, I have something I made which was not made for the DT. Hope you can come back then.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
Monday, 3 December 2012
My Last Week on the Snazzys DT Blog for 2012
Good Morning lovely visitors,
My, has this year flown by and soon Santa will be using his magic tricks to gain access to our homes (after all there are lots of houses without chimneys these days, lol) and hopefully we'll all have been good enough to be left something nice. Well, I know I have, how about you ;D!
Anyway, this also means it is my last week of projects for Snazzys DT for 2012 and here's a little sneak peek at my first offering.
EDIT: I forgot to say that the element I used from my lovely box of goodies from Stamping Suzz is the embossing powder you can see in the background here. It's a Judikins one called Rustique Bent Nail which is a mixture of black and gold and it leaves a slightly rough texture similar to Distress EP. I hadn't seen it before but it's lovely. There's another colour from the same range in the box which I can't wait to try too.
The Design Team have had some fabulous products supplied by our lovely Bosses, Val and Don, to work with over the past year and this month is no exception so I'd like to take this opportunity to say my own personal thank you. Please pop over to the DT Blog to see the rest of my project if you have a minute or two.
Till next time, have a good week.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
My, has this year flown by and soon Santa will be using his magic tricks to gain access to our homes (after all there are lots of houses without chimneys these days, lol) and hopefully we'll all have been good enough to be left something nice. Well, I know I have, how about you ;D!
Anyway, this also means it is my last week of projects for Snazzys DT for 2012 and here's a little sneak peek at my first offering.
EDIT: I forgot to say that the element I used from my lovely box of goodies from Stamping Suzz is the embossing powder you can see in the background here. It's a Judikins one called Rustique Bent Nail which is a mixture of black and gold and it leaves a slightly rough texture similar to Distress EP. I hadn't seen it before but it's lovely. There's another colour from the same range in the box which I can't wait to try too.
The Design Team have had some fabulous products supplied by our lovely Bosses, Val and Don, to work with over the past year and this month is no exception so I'd like to take this opportunity to say my own personal thank you. Please pop over to the DT Blog to see the rest of my project if you have a minute or two.
Till next time, have a good week.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
WOWEEEEEE!!!!! Do I have news for you .........
No crafting makes to show today but .............. I have two fabulous things I wanted to share so I'm giving them their own post.
First of all, a couple of weeks ago I was the lucky winner of some fabulous blog candy which was very generously given by a lovely lady over in the US as part of her Thanksgiving celebrations. How much of a coincidence was it that the biiiiiiig parcel arrived safely on Thanksgiving Day. Look at all these beautiful goodies.
I've already incorporated one of the lovely embossing powders onto my next project for Snazzys which I'll be posting next Monday. There are some beautiful stamps including one gorgeous 'Cover a Page' stamp which I've had my eye on and the Alterations embossing folders which I've been hankering after for a while and many lovely surprises. And the generous lady who sent me all this gorgeous stuff is ..............Stamping Suzz. If you don't know her blog already you are missing a treat as Sue is extremely talented and her blog is full of wonderful inspiration so do click on the link and give her a visit. Take a cuppa with you though because you're sure to be there a while, lol! THANK YOU FROM ME SUE!
AND NOW ............................
I HAVE SOME MORE FANTABULOUS NEWS .......... but this time it's from my lovely bosses and the equally smashing Gillian, DT co-ordinator extraordinaire, at SNAZZYS!
JUST LOOK WHO'S COMING TO STAY, PLAY AND TEACH AT SNAZZYS NEXT YEAR!
None other than the unique and extremely talented ANNA DABROWSKA, aka FINNABAIR!
HERE is a direct link to the relevant post on the Snazzy DT Blog and THIS is a link to Anna's wonderful blog. Her work is absolutely amazing so go check them out and don't delay getting your name on the list for when the full details are available in the New Year. Places are bound to sell out fast!
I'm off to drool over Anna's blog again. I'll be back in the wee small hours of Monday morning with my first project using the latest Snazzys DT pack. Hope you can drop by then.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
Friday, 9 November 2012
Finally........A Couple of Quick Christmas Cards
Morning All,
Finally I have made some Christmas cards and about time too! Actually, I wanted to get these done last week to post on the Snazzys DT Blog but didn't make it in time so I decided to get them done and show them here whilst we are still promoting this lovely Country Cottage Collection papers, stamps and embellishments. I really like this collection mainly because the colours are the gorgeous traditional reds and greens which are my favourites for Christmas. The papers are also really good quality and take inks beautifully. These cards were quite quick to make and used up some of the leftovers from making my Christmas Organiser.
This first one uses a square of the Red Snowflakes design and I overstamped with a snowflake from the stamp collection using Wow Vanilla White EP with some Clear Rock Candy glitter mixed in. I really like this effect as it adds a subtle sparkle (unfortunately couldn't capture it on here) and also gives the EP a rough texture similar to Distress EPs. I then softly inked round the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink, wrapped with satin ribbon and mounted onto a square of ivory pearlescent card which had been dry embossed with a snowflake embossing folder before mounting onto the 6" x 6" base card.
I then cut two of the mini Rosette Snowflakes with my new Tim Holtz/Sizzix die from the Sentiments design paper, inked them slightly with Aged Mahogany DI before swiping with a bit of Flitterglu and sprinkling them with Clear Rock Candy glittter and finally adding the brads from the embellishment pack. I do wish I could have caught the pretty sparkle on this card. This one really does look so pretty in artificial light!
Finally I have made some Christmas cards and about time too! Actually, I wanted to get these done last week to post on the Snazzys DT Blog but didn't make it in time so I decided to get them done and show them here whilst we are still promoting this lovely Country Cottage Collection papers, stamps and embellishments. I really like this collection mainly because the colours are the gorgeous traditional reds and greens which are my favourites for Christmas. The papers are also really good quality and take inks beautifully. These cards were quite quick to make and used up some of the leftovers from making my Christmas Organiser.
This first one uses a square of the Red Snowflakes design and I overstamped with a snowflake from the stamp collection using Wow Vanilla White EP with some Clear Rock Candy glitter mixed in. I really like this effect as it adds a subtle sparkle (unfortunately couldn't capture it on here) and also gives the EP a rough texture similar to Distress EPs. I then softly inked round the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink, wrapped with satin ribbon and mounted onto a square of ivory pearlescent card which had been dry embossed with a snowflake embossing folder before mounting onto the 6" x 6" base card.
I then cut two of the mini Rosette Snowflakes with my new Tim Holtz/Sizzix die from the Sentiments design paper, inked them slightly with Aged Mahogany DI before swiping with a bit of Flitterglu and sprinkling them with Clear Rock Candy glittter and finally adding the brads from the embellishment pack. I do wish I could have caught the pretty sparkle on this card. This one really does look so pretty in artificial light!
This second card uses the reverse of Red Snowflakes on the top half and the reverse of Sentiments at the bottom separated by a die cut border in ivory pearlescent card and shiny green ribbon.
I cut the poinsettia with another new acquisition, ;D, the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Tattered Poinsettia (think I need the little one now, lol), using more of the ivory pearlescent card and some co-ordinating green card, inking round all the edges with Black Soot DI and adding a brad from the embellishment pack to hold it together. Finally I stamped and embossed the Merry Christmas from the stamp set using the Wow Vanilla White EP.
Do pop over to the Snazzy DT blog if you have time where the inspiration from the rest of my DT buddies continues unabated for a couple more weeks yet. There's bound to be some beautiful projects to get you in the mood for Christmas .......... can't wait to see what they come up with myself too!
We had a rather expensive day yesterday :0(. Firstly my OH needed a new pair of glasses unexpectedly as he'd only had his other since February!!!! We followed that up with a visit to our local Comet store to find a new phone. We've been struggling with our other one for yonks but I kept putting off getting a new one ............ toooo lazy to go look, lol! Of course, while we were there and I was concentrating on the phone comparisons Hubby drifted over to the TVs as men tend to do. Result? We came out with a 40" TV (plenty big enough for our cosy lounge) as well a the phone package! Still, that saves me thinking up an Anniversary present ;-) .................... it is our 40th Wedding Anniversary on the 18th November and boy is it scary how fast those 40 years have gone.
Right I'm off to run some errands. Wish I could stay home and craft but needs must. I hope you all have a lovely weekend with plenty of R&R.
Hugs
Lesley Xx
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Christmas Project #2 for the Snazzys DT Blog.
Hi Everyone,
I'm back again with a sneaky peek of my 2nd project for this week over on the Snazzys DT Blog. This month we have been asked to showcase some gorgeous papers in my favourite traditional reds and greens together with a matching set of stamps and lovely brads and die cut elements.......The Christmas Cottage Collection by Theresa Collins. The more I've used this collection the more I love it!
Here's my sneaky peek
Please pop over to the DT blog and have a look at the whole project and I'd love you to leave a comment.
I'll be back again fairly soon ....... if I get a bit of playtime, lol! Mind you with less than 8 weeks until Christmas I really ought to be making Christmas cards!!!!! Okay then, who's already got theirs done ;D
Hugs
Lesley Xx
I'm back again with a sneaky peek of my 2nd project for this week over on the Snazzys DT Blog. This month we have been asked to showcase some gorgeous papers in my favourite traditional reds and greens together with a matching set of stamps and lovely brads and die cut elements.......The Christmas Cottage Collection by Theresa Collins. The more I've used this collection the more I love it!
Here's my sneaky peek
Please pop over to the DT blog and have a look at the whole project and I'd love you to leave a comment.
I'll be back again fairly soon ....... if I get a bit of playtime, lol! Mind you with less than 8 weeks until Christmas I really ought to be making Christmas cards!!!!! Okay then, who's already got theirs done ;D
Hugs
Lesley Xx
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