2017 +1

Good Morning.

It Is Time To Jump Out Of Bed,

Brush Your Teeth,

Eat Your Breakfast And

Get Ready To Grab

All The Opportunities

That Will Come Your Way.

Happy First Good Morning of 2017

2017

A clean slate, a chance to change

Dreams and wishes re-arranged

A new job, maybe, is what’s required

Or this year you‘ll become retired!

Give up smoking, drink a bit less

Loose some weight, less excess.

Dancing classes, join a Gym

Have some fun, while getting trim.

Maybe your desires are a little more drastic

Whatever you desire, be enthusiastic.

I hope that this year is your best yet

And whatever you wish for, you go out and get.

May God bless you mightily during 2017

25th December 2016

O Come, let us adore Him....

November Swaps

I have only entered two swaps this month.  I have found a great pattern for the Technique 
card, something a little different for me.

Noobie Swap.
My card was 'borrowed' from Helen in CWS.  A beautiful ribbon bow complements the lace and sentiment on a bright orange card.

I received this absolutely gorgeous card, although it is a Christmas card it is something else.  

The image papers are delightfully shiny and embellished with holographic edging.

Thank you Linda A.

Technique Swap.- Pop up/out

I have had a printout tutorial of a Pivot Twist Pop-up card on my desk for ages and I signed up for this swap so I could make it.  I cut templates out first and it took me ages to work out how it folded but when I managed it - wow!  So simple and so effective.

I used Glenda Cairns easy tutorial - Utube also has pdf  to print out.

After cutting out the templates I chose my papers and stamps for the centre pop out then started measuring and cutting and sticking and stamping and voila!!

I used papers from my book and used a piece of the base card for the diecut - free with this months Diecuts Magazine - stamping across the centre using Versafine Onyx Black ink.

I chose coordinating double sided papers for both the mechanism and the pop outs.

I used some of the stamps that came with the diecuts for three of the pop outs and one from a different set for the fourth. 

Once opened out flat you can see from the back view all the different papers I have used.

I'm very pleased with the final result, hope my partner likes it!!!

I received this beautiful card by return.  

The Butterfly is decoupaged from some gorgeous papers, and the papers inside are the same type.

Thank you Olive.

October Swaps

I am back on the card swapping lists again.  I have reigned in the number of swaps I have signed up to as this is quite a busy month gardening wise, they have to be tidied ready for the winter months - see My Recollections blog.

Noobie Swap
I used images and papers from my files but I am sorry I did not name the creator.  I fussy cut the shoes and the bow before attaching to the base card.

I received this beautiful card by return - love those butterflies.

Thank you Linda A.

Technique Swap - Decoupage




Decoupage is my bag and these images are form my files once again.  

I used 3D tape for the cake to lift the image from the background.






I received the following card ....    
      

Really pretty card with lots of details.
Thank you MaryC.







and the ATC which can be seen on my other blog ATC Wannabee.

Get Well Soon Card

Not usually asked to make this type of card but, as it is for one of the volunteers at the Steam Locomotive Works, this is a personal and extra special card .... and ....... has to have trains!

I diecut some trains and tried to do some inset diecuts ...... with my engine die there are lots of details ......... like doing a mini jigsaw!!!  
I gave up and did some stamping, became distracted by trying to find the cushion mount for some of the stamps ....
Then I found a sheet of decoupage!   Yeah!  I love decoupage!  

Once I had decided on which engine to use, I quickly decoupaged the image and then needed a background and a card.......... more searching ........ getting this new 'studio' straight seems to be taking forever ... or is it that I get distracted?!?

I chose a blue card, slightly shiney and very square.


The background paper was part of a Debbie Moore Art Decor decoupage pack but was just the right colours.



A few peel offs, the right font I thought, for the sentiment.

There you have it, or at least I do for the moment ....... one blue square card, one decoupaged image flat DSS taped to card and one sentiment on 3D Foam pads to raise it off the surface.  
I added a plain white paper insert as most of the Tuesday Volunteers will be signing it.  Then it will be posted off to let John know that we are all hoping his arm heals soon and he can be back with us at Tyseley Loco Works!

Gelli Printing for the first time

Drum roll please!!
I have sorted out my Gelli plate!!!  
This was bought for me for my birthday last year and has stayed in its wrapper ever since.  
Now I have a swap on ATCs For All Group - For this swap create a beautiful Gelli Plate background and then Stamp, Colour, and/or Zentangle on top!  - just have to find where I put the Gelli when I moved rooms!!

Cos I am slightly - in my opinion - pernikety, my Gelli is in one of my mushroom baskets, which has been labelled, and has the stamps to go with it.  
How sad am I?! Don't answer that!  
I have also put a pack of white card in there as well!
PJ bought me this stamp to go with the Gelli Plate, I am so looking forward to using it.
I also purchased some Reverse stamps ............ that made you stop and think!!!  
They can be used on the Gelli Plate and when you print off ..... the words are the right way round ..... not like the stamp opposite!



So here are the afternoon's efforts .....

....... I have had a superb few hours .....

.......... I did manage to print and stamp exactly how I envisioned the final print out.

I also used the reverse stamps .... Love Lives Here ...... but I wasn't really very good with the stamping so I only completed one sheet.

As an afterthought, I used some blue acrylic paint on the XXL stamp and spritzed it with water and printed.  
Can't say as I was impressed.   
After the paper was dry, and while using the stamp with the black Versafine ink,  I ghost printed over the blueprintout.  
Now I am impressed!

I have to choose which printouts to use for my ATCs ............that's maybe tomorrow ...... and the leftovers I can use for cardmaking ......