Tuesday 31 December 2013

WOYWW #239

Father Christmas came to our house!!!!


I saved a lot of packaging just in case ... something to practice with ... stored it in an Audrey Hepburn box cos I so agree with what she says ....





... and I am happy!!!!




Sorry you had to look at my DH's desk but mine is covered with 'stuff' and can't be found!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY!!!!

HAPPY 2014!  GOOD HEALTH!  GOOD LOVING!


Tuesday 24 December 2013

WOYWW #238

Happy Christmas Everyone!
Yes!  this sad person is WOYWWing - tis Wednesday after all!
And ....IT'S CHRISTMAAAAS!

Now then, gather round ... this is my desk ....

You will see that the modelling paste has multiplied!  Couldn't resist could I?
Empty Costa cup - bought specially to enter a photo in their contest - link was broke, I complained, they gave me extra points on my account!
New Snowman ATCs - they needed to be handpainted - he! he!  Hysterical they will be!
That is not a Christmas pressie opened in the lower left corner - birthday present taken out of the box so I could put some Dollars in for my GD's Chrissie pressie - she'll never guess what they are!!!
So that's the desk for today, tomorrow, and the next couple of days!
IT'S CHRISTMAAS!
Christmas Dinner at our local Carvery with DH & C, followed by Boxing Day with N - then a couple of days to recover ......

BUT
I shall be visiting around later on - don't know when but I will....

Wednesday 18 December 2013

WOYWW #237

Woo!  Hoo!  It's Wednesday!  The last gathering before Christmas!  Gathering?!?! if you don't know by now all the details are on the tab at the top of the page - WOYWW - if you want to join in contact our gracious hostess Julia.

Here is my desk today - actually today, not yesterday some time, but this morning .... early ... after it was light....

There are no Christmas things, a few birthday cards (cut up or whole), left over nets and half made snowmen ATCs among the 'stuff'.  
I am entering a swap for Hysterical Historical Snowmen, so Caesar is about to get a robe, Louis XIV has an embroidered waistcoat and wig and so far Rasputin has an egg!
More importantly for our UK desk viewers there is a jar of this - Moulding Paste .... didn't know what it was, there were three types on the shelf at Lidl so I bought the course hoping it was similar to Gesso, of which there is a big white tub of already.
It is like Gesso .... spread some over a bright green card and left to dry, I smacked it with a rainbow inkpad next day and .... different!  
Love it!  wish I had some before to use as snow!!!  
But I can wait till next year .... 
huh! 
as if!  
Perfect excuse to make some more Christmas card backgrounds for next year's post!!!

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Background Making Day

I had such fun just trying so much out.  Some I like and some I will cover over with something else.  Who knows which or with what.

I sorted out all my stencils, nets, punchings, stamps, Gesso and glues.
I mean business.

I am using green card as I have an excess of it at the moment.


Card One - spread with Gesso using my fingers to form smallish swirls and put to dry.  I then used three sizes of bubble wrap with red ink stamp pad to press the pattern all over the A4 sheet.


Card Two - while the Gesso is open I covered the Art Nouveau 'stencil' so that the outline stands proud.  I stamped a banner stencil with yellow, an ivy leaf with blue, some punchings in various colours.  I painted through the Art stencil with yellow H2O pearls, brushed it over the gesso in the top right and then, using all three colours brushed it zig zag style in the lower corner.

Card Three - I tapped a varied colour ink pad over this sheet, spritzed with three colours and put to one side to dry.  When dry, I used an open card to spray a circle or two.  I stenciled a few flower shapes using the punchings and then .... used my brayer and various inkpads to bray along the 'lines' to give a cross hatch.


Card Four - I used an ivy stencil with a red inkpad and then turned it over and pressed it down to give a negative, and then pressed it again  which gave a slightly paler print.  Taping down one of my nets I sprayed the page with spritzer and stencilled some of it with yellow H2O.  When dry I used an ivy patterned brayer in lines of green.

Card Five - I placed circles of card randomly on the paper, stamped with the varied inkpad, dabbed Gesso randomly, added some gold paper bits and put to one side to dry.  I then removed the circles and stamped random images over the dry paper.

I took a sheet of white tissue paper and scrunched it up tightly into a ball.  Opening it out, I stamped a fir tree stamp in blue and black along the length.

Going back into my room the next day I decided I wasn't really happy with the randomness of sheet five so I adhered the tissue paper using Gesso and put it to dry.

I still don't know!!

Sunday 15 December 2013

December Fun

I love to enter into the Technique Swaps on this Group as Melody sets some wonderful challenges.  The first look makes the card look simple but it hardly ever works out like that!!
I thought that it is easy to create our own take on a card which is what it looked like, however .... I then re-read the instructions ... yes! I know! read twice and inwardly digest!!!

Here is the card (which you can find all about here)

Now I read the instructions - stamp an outline and then fill the outline with smaller stamps.
The only suitable outline stamp I own is a flower, which I stamped in black and embossed in black.  I filled in the petals by using some of my smaller Tapestry stamps ...
.... it doesn't look quite right so I went back to the relevant post and read it again ....

I emailed Melody as it looks like the challenge is to stamp the pear shape ... I don't want to buy a new stamp for a one off ...
.... no!!!
use the outline of the pear and copy the style in your own way.

So I found a digi of a pear outline, filled it in using flower stamps to shade the pear from deep orange through to lemon, using green ink and leaf stamps for the leaf and a brown butterfly for the stalk.  It was good to use my Tapestry stamps a different way.

A piece of paper with leaves punched through, a piece of pink wall paper and then ... three metallic leaves all complete the card.
My take on this card is complete!









Saturday 14 December 2013

Birth Card

Bonfire Night Party meant I met our new neighbour's daughter - so close to having her baby.
A week later she had a little boy - Toby - so I finished a crocheted shawl that just needed the ribbon adding and made a little card.


The decoupage was put together at an earlier date, as the shawl was, and just waiting to be finished.  I added the peeloff and wrote a little message inside.

I love making up these decoupage sets and keeping them ready for emergencies!

Friday 13 December 2013

Sympathy Cards

Sadly I have had occasion to make a couple of Sympathy cards just recently.  I am not very good with writing sentiments so I made one that was really plain and yet ...
The first card came as a kit - from a long time ago - and was not intended as a Sympathy card but I changed the peeloffs.
One white card with the lower half covered in black/white paper - here I have used dots but, on occasion, I have also used stripes.  I wrapped a black ribbon round the patterned paper before attaching it to the card.  Use another piece of ribbon to tie a bow round the ribbon strip and the stem of a flower.  Tuck a small tag with the peel off behind the ribbon using a glue dot.
I wrote my message inside, without a verse, and sent it off.  I hope that my love came through.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

WOYWW #236

Here is the desk of a crafter about to skive off work and indulge in a bit of messy play.  
All the gear is collected real close and she is about to don her pinny and create backgrounds to her hearts delight..... but she has to be quick before she is discovered ......


Note for Julia - that 'stencil' is out again ....

Have a good week everyone - happy WOYWW

Saturday 7 December 2013

Christmas Cards ready to write

The first batch are now waiting for inserts - when the PC works again!  I have spent some time putting these together and once posted I will start on the second batch.  I have been slowed up a bit by having to make some more ATCs as it looks like my last postings for 12 Days has gone astray (see ATC Wannabee Blog) ... but I am pleased with these.


almost good enough for WOYWW!!!

Tuesday 3 December 2013

WOYWW #235

Look!
Clean Desk!
Why?
Cos I am decorating, painfully decorating!  i used to love decorating in every form but now the body doesn't enjoy climbing ladders, pasting above my head, painting all round etc. etc. but ....
.... just remember it will all look wonderful when finished!
so here's the clear desk ... everything to hand but no crafting.

Enjoy!
I know you won't ..... and why?
cos this is 'What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday' that's why!
Just check out the tab at the top of the page and you can find all the info as to why we are desk hopping round here .....

oh! and Julia - found this on a railway station platform, don't know why but it made me think of you .....

love the caterpillar and butterfly ....








Wednesday 27 November 2013

November Swaps for CWS

I was in two minds whether to continue with these swaps - out of 11 swaps only four have been completed, a bit sad I thought.
As this group is the only card swapping one that I am a member of ....




Decoupaged Lady for my first 1 to 1 swap this month.









I tried Bargello technique for my second 1 to 1 card and added a premade topper.  I rather like the effect although it was difficult to find just the right coloured paper to match the topper.



My return swap was this fantastic Waterfall card.  The photo does not show the neatness of this card - I love it.
Thank you Robin 





My Peel Offs swap has them all!  A silver peel off dress cut out on red paper, silver lettering and 'jelly' peel offs all placed around a beautiful scenic background.



Blue bird on roses on an embossed background  is the Peel Off return swap.
Thank you Carol J   (Welcome back to the Group) 




CMW asked for a gold card, black embellishments and one other colour.
I used one of the die cuts from my winnings, found an appropriate sentiment which I popped above.  I punched some red flowers and added them in the corner.
I was a little disappointed with the gold cardstock, it had to be treated very gently as every mark showed.  This is my second card as, after I had cut the first one, I found scratch marks all over it

On this return swap card the poppy centre is black lace with red diamante on blue, all on a beautifully embossed gold card.
Thank you Carol J








WOYWW #234

It's Wed .... nes .... day!
Hello!
Time to go visiting .... See the WOYWW tab at top of page ....
If I show you mine, you can show me yours ....
Here's mine  ....
  and why are there little envelopes in the cherry tomato pack?  Cos I have just received a swap ready for Christmas!!

Excited!  Excited!


The ATC swap is 12 Days of Christmas and I won't bore you with the details .... suffice to say we all receive 12 little envelopes which we can start opening on 14th December.  
I haven't quite worked the date out as that is my birthday and I always thought I was born ten days before Christmas .....


Just look at them ..... patiently waiting to be opened .... so pretty ... 


I will be good .... I will be good .... I will be good ....


.... and while I am being good, you all have a good WOYWW week.  

I won't be visiting till the weekend ish as I am off to the ballet tonight (it takes me all day to get ready and be there on time!) and Liverpool for the day on Thursday .... but I'll be back ....

Tuesday 19 November 2013

WOYWW #233

So another chaotic week passed here at  - wherever I am!
I think that Wednesday is the only stable point in my life at the moment ......... Wednesday ....
Here's my desk .... taken on Tuesday afternoon (it was dark!)


Just messing about on it really .... that's masking tape ....  I read somewhere that you could do something with it and I thought 'what a brilliant idea', went out and bought some masking tape.
Needless to say I can't remember where it was or even WHAT it was ... so I have three strips of tape, some ink daubers and some stencils ... sort of washi tape do you think?!!
This is all I have been doing in the craftroom since Friday but .....  In the lounge I have been stripping paper from walls, washing skirting boards ready for painting, fitting carpet and placing new suite - don't ask!!! All will be revealed on my 'recollections' blog in due course ...
Have a happy WOYWW  week!

Keep safe.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

WOYWW #232

I am sure the clock is going faster ......Wednesday again!?!?!
A day for showing off my workdesk .... why you ask .... I blame that Julia.... all her fault .... but .... if she hadn't started the WOYWW factor I would not have so many good friends .... among them are Peggy and Patsy over in the Philippines.
I am so relieved that they are ok but sooo many people are not .... the BBC World Service is playing requests for help in finding family from the islands and it is heartbreaking .... our love and prayers and (((hugs))) MUST go out to the Philippines as the World reaches out to help with aid.
Here is my work desk today - taken early this morning and now much changed but at that very early hour ....
I know it is dark - I had all the lights on - even the sun was only just waking up!!
I am making ATCs again ..... blinging ones!!!  I have finished the 'Kitchen' ones and put to them side, now I am starting on the bling ...... sparkly peel offs, and nail varnish .... yes! you heard  right .... nail varnish.  I can't find my glitters, and embossing powders, so nail varnish is the next best thing - all the sparkly ones that is.  The paper with lines on is where I have been testing all the colours that I think will work.  Interesting!
So tonight - now I have remembered what day it is!!! - I have the cards on the side waiting to be finished (dried) and my desk is all clear ready to start on some cards.
So that's what's happening here .... I am off to visit other desks now so toodle pip ...

Tuesday 5 November 2013

WOYWW #231

Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night ....... we had a super time, good conversation, good food and good fireworks.  We did manage to find the cat eventually, she is still not talking to us - we are being glared at even with her back turned!!!!
But today is another day .... a WOYWW day!  yeah!!
If you want to know more then click the tab at the top of the post.
Still into Christmas round at mine ...... stamps, paper, inkpads, card, glitter ....  you know how it goes ........

have a good WOYWW week!






Wednesday 30 October 2013

WOYWW #230

What do we have here?

Full tilt at Christmas - ATCs, Cards, Presents & Crackers (under desk) Papers.......... it's all there I'm afraid ...... Crafting Christmas has begun!!!


Photo is big because Christmas is big!

Thanks go to our Hostess Julia who not only hosts this desk hopping event each week but also manages to keep us entertained with her posts during the week - marvellous!!!
Happy WOYWWing everyone ..........

Sunday 27 October 2013

October Swaps for CWS

I haven't made many cards this month as I have a rather large stash but as per usual .... there's never enough to fit the criteria!!



My first 1 to 1 card is made from a kit bought from a show.  I added the rose belt and peel off.


This pretty Coffee Time card is my swap back 
Thank you Carol






For my second 1 to 1 card I used some wallpaper from a sample bought many moons ago and some Paper Wishes words cut oblong to match the side bars.


This ornate Hydrangea card is my swap back
Thank you Patty







Colour My World is a Silver Card with purple plus one other colour theme.  
I used some of my homemade Washi Tape to decorate the silver card.  I used strips of Micropore, a purple ink pad to colour and stamped the pattern with a border stamp and black ink.
The Pink Butterfly is a peeloff as is the sentiment which was silver but coloured with a felt pen.






The Technique swap called for embossing folders so I sorted through my Glitter Girls boards and found the star design which I thought suited the technique......... emboss the base and scratch the surface.  
I had to use a nail file which caught the paper so then I scratched the inside of the border to make it look intended!!!
I cut out the star from a second embossed piece and fed it through a star ribbler, popped it over the embossed star and attached the whole to a gold card.

UPDATED: 26.11.2013



My return swap came today, sooo worth waiting for!  
 Beautiful leaves 'Blowing on the Wind' and inside ... so neatly finished.  This card epitomises card making ...



Thank you Melody 

Wednesday 23 October 2013

WOYWW # 229

Hello Wednesday Deskers!  (see tab at top of page for more info.)

My desk is still covered in ATCs - working my way through the 12 Days of Christmas.
Just an excuse really to sit in my craft room and ignore the weather (atrocious!) and the mess (house) while we wait for various bits and bobs of equipment to 'appear'.
I have posted ATCs for 7 + 8 days to the hostess and now working on 6 + 5 days but in between, while waiting for glue to dry, have also made some others - eagle eyed may spot some washi tape showing in the top left.
The square inkpads were purchased while at Dunelm looking for a shower mat (and whatever else they had interesting), I just happened to spot the enlarged craft corner.  As you may or may not know, my stamps are a bit like me - old, dried out, not always working and definitely not as good as they used to be - so when I saw the inkpads I thought I would invest in a few colours.  I tried them out and the white is perfect for Kraft paper,  I made the little colour chart to keep in my purse in case we passed by that way again ........

Nearly half an hour later my photo appears in my email so now I can post.............. have a good WOYWW day...........

Wednesday 16 October 2013

WOYWW #228

What lurks in yonder darkness?  
Put the light on and lo! one desk ......... one well used desk!
Artist Trading Cards everywhere, well, almost!
After a week of upset having Bathroom and Kitchen altered I have retreated to my room ......... what else can a girl do............. at some point all the upset has to be ignored ............ CREATE! 
So here is my desk.....covered with ATC ... completed ... nearly finished ... and wannabees...... why am I showing my desk?
See tab at top of page for more information, and thank Julia for the fun that unfolds as we gather at her desk every Wednesday.
Have a good week  .......... and I will find out how to reply to comments soon ........ promise........




Tuesday 8 October 2013

WOYWW #227

Back here at home .........  in between all my 'business' I have a desk to show!!!
Yeah!
If you want to know what I am on about then click the tab at the top of the page - Julia won't mind, or anyone else for that matter............ and if you join in ..... we'll just laugh with you!!!!

My darling DH had a parcel delivered and brought it into the craft room to show me ........... indoctrinated ? Never!!!
So this packaging is now being transformed into ATCs.


The first ones are down in the lower right corner (the brown ones) and I am in the midst of 'creating' the others ones (see alternate Blog here)

And for your information, these will be put to one side tomorrow as I have to continue with my Christmas swap - 10 Lords a Leaping and 9 Ladies Dancing.

Have a good WOYWW week......

Wednesday 2 October 2013

WOYWW #226

A little late in the day but I'm here - Wednesday, WOYWW .... more information? check out the tab at the top of the page.
The only excuse I can give is that I have been to the Zoo Today, Zoo Today......... and I left my latest acquisition at home............


I went to Lidl again before we went away, found this little item in the aisle ...........

 This selection of tools came neatly stored in the little box that was part of the workspace.



I did try it out on a piece of material .......... had to make sure it worked didn't I?



Then I left for the Zoo, part of our Wedding Anniversary present.
I will blog the visit in my other blog later.

Enjoy the week.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

WOYWW #225

First and Foremost, I would like to say thank you to my Followers and also apologise for not acknowledging you before.  You know how it is when you can't see something because it is in front of your face?  that's me to a T.......... never looked so never saw but thank you so much for having a read.

I  have left my desk miles away.
I have flown the coop.
I am spending some time by the sea.
Anyway you like to think - my desk is clear and clean!!!
BUT
On Saturday it looked like this...........


I have been cutting out flowers from wallpaper and getting cards ready to post - lots of them......


Now I am taking a few days off ............ down in Brixham.......... exploring we shall go!

Check out the WOYWW tab at the top of the page to find out why I am telling you about my desk.  There you will find all the info you need, especially if you're mad enough to join in.
Thank you honourable Hostess Julie for hosting..................have a wonderful WOYWW week.