CYDA #23 - Vintage

Its our new challenge today over at Craft Your Days Away and it is one that I have enjoyed making.  Our lovely DT member Doreen has set our current challenge and for the next fortnight she has chosen:

 Vintage

We have our regular sponsor back for this challenge, Simon Says Stamp, and they are offering a prize of $10 to spend in their store for one lucky winner.  Pop over to the challenge blog for all the info.

I had a rummage through some of my stash and found some beautiful Anna Griffin papers that I had forgotten about, but then decided to use some papers from a forgotten Kay and Co pad called Isabellas papers.

The stamp is by Inkadinkado and I've stamped it with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto ivory linen card, to give it a bit of an aged distressed look.  I didn't want the image to look totally perfect on this one.  I've added just a touch of colour with pro markers. 

Now with this picture, I'm just having a play with the macro mode on my OH's new camera.  (I think I'm liking his new camera now!).  The butterly punch is by Tonic.  I've distressed the edges a little around the design papers, added a few paper roses and a little bit of cream cotton lace.  The sentiment stamp is from Hot of the Press.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp - I used their sketch

I love pro markers - anything goes

Class Act Insider - vintage rubber stamp

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

New Camera and a fat cat!

My OH's new camera has just arrived - he's been waiting for it to come back into stock for a few weeks and now its here!  So, after having a play with it, I have now renamed it OUR new camera .... I just need to figure out how to use it, its not as easy as my little point and shoot.  So there's Monty my fat cat - it was quite dark when I took this without the flash so I'm quite pleased with it.

A bit earlier on in the day I took a few pics in the back garden.  The yellow David Austin rose is my favourite climber and it is full of flowers, growing up the wall at the bottom of the garden.

Another one of my favourite flowers in the garden, an Aquilegia. 



I just need to get some cards made now so that I can see how the new camera is with close ups of my cards.

Amanda

Sonny's Party

I love the images at Pollycraft and this one, Sonny's Party, is no exception.  I couldn't resist this one which is currently being offered as a freebie in the Pollycraft DT call (which is running until 27th June 2011).  Details of the DT call can be found HERE.  So here's my offering for the DT call - I can't believe that I've managed to make yet another girly card without a touch of glitter at all! 

I've coloured the card with my ever-favourite pro markers again.  The green and floral papers are from My Mind's Eye Summer Pack and the polka dot paper is from the Back to Basics pack from Dovecraft.  The paper flowers are from the Fizzy Moon range by Dovecraft - I've coloured them with pro markers to colour match the papers.  The swirl is a Sizzlits die and I've used my corner chomper to round off some of the edges.

I'm also going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - I used their sketch, my new image and my neglected corner chomper
Hooked on Crafts - Anything goes
Shopping our stash - Tools of the trade (corner chomper)
I love pro markers - Anything goes

Thanks for stopping by, and a big "Hello and Thank You" to my new followers - I truly appreciate it.  I will try and get round to visit you all as soon as I can. 

Amanda

Digi stamp boutique give away

Just a quick post to let you know about the give away at Digi Stamp Boutique (a great place for fab digis!). 

Three lucky people will win the above image - Emmy expecting a baby - plus a £5.00 voucher to spend in the store.

Pop over to Digi Stamp Boutique for more info.



Amanda

Happy Father's Day

I was well aware that Father's Day fell today, so why do I always leave things until the very last minute?  Today's card is the one I made (this morning) for my Dad.   I think my problem at the moment is that I get very easily distracted and, as soon as there is a glimmer of sunshine, I am out in the garden tidying and planting.  We have to make the most of every bit of sunshine here in the UK especially after days of rain like this past week.

The image is one of my favourite "man" images and is Jim with Beer from Digi Stamp Boutique.  I've coloured it with pro markers and used some favourite "man" paper too.  It is from the Persimmon collection from PaperMania.  I've just realised that, yet again, I have used my scallop circle dies - they are my favourites though.  Having just purchased 3 new packs of Nestabilities this week, I must make more of an effort to use some of my other dies too!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

2 Sisters Challenge blog - for a guy

Little Claire's - Cards for Men

Paper Creator's - For the Men

Sketch Saturday - I used their sketch

Glitter Geeks - Father's Day

Wags 'n Whiskers - Masculine

Digi Stamp boutique - June competition

Thanks for looking today - I'll try not to leave it a whole week again until I make my next post!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away #22 Monochrome

OH NO! JUST CHECKED MY BLOG - THIS WAS SCHEDULED TO POST YESTERDAY, MUST HAVE DONE IT WRONG!

Our new challenge at Craft Your Days Away has been set by DT member Doreen and she has chosen:

MONOCHROME

I decided to use shades of yellow/gold for my card as it is a colour that I don't very often use.  I think that I must use yellow a bit more often because I am always pleased with the bright and sunny designs.  Just right as the sun is shining this morning .... one problem though, my two cats need to learn to tell the time - at 5.20am this morning, with the sun shining so brightly, they decided it was time to wake me up for their breakfast! 

For this challenge we are being sponsored by Crafty Emma's Store and she is offering the prize of an adorable Helz Cuppleditch stamp for one lucky winner.  Doreen will also be picking her Top 3 - pop over to the challenge blog for more details.

I have use one of my neglected stamps - called Princess Anya.  It has been coloured with pro markers.  The sentiment stamp is from LOTV and the papers are from a Back to Basics pad by Dovecraft.  

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - I used their sketch + my neglected Anya stamp

Guylou's - Monochromatic

Poodle's Parlour - Anything goes

Art Impressions Stamps - Monochromatic

Shelly's Images - Anything goes

 Crafts and Me - Stamp Something

Freshly Brewed - Yellow

Craft Room Challenge - Anything goes

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

LOTV Retirement card

Oh, I do hate school holidays - last week ruined all of my crafting plans and housework got behind so I've been playing catch-up the last few days.  Now the sun is out the garden needs lots more attention too.

At last, I've managed to make a card - it is for someone at work who is retiring this week.  I thought this LOTV stamp was ideal for a lazy retirement.  I hope his wife has a big list of jobs for him to do - I know that I would have!  

All 3 stamps are from LOTV - and I've coloured the main image with pro markers, keeping the design fairly simple, adding a little bit of faux stitching and a few bits of card candy.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sunday Sketch and Stamp - I used their sketch

Ladybug Crafts Ink - Masculine card

Papertake weekly - Anything goes

Stamping Boutique - Men only

Cards for Men - blue and black

Lexi's Creations - card for a man

Designed 2 Delight - Masculine card, no flowers

Hope the routine gets back to normal this week!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Fizzy Moon for Allsorts DT call

The very talented ladies at Allsorts are having a DT call - they are looking for another two members for their team.  Being a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades Crafter, I'd love to be part of the team so I thought I'd have a try.  This is my new Fizzy Moon stamp which I absolutely love (oh no, I can feel another stamp collection coming on!).   I've coloured him with my usual pro markers.  The papers are by Pink Petticoat and I have tried stitching around, for the first time, with my sewing machine.  I think that I may use a bigger stitch next time though.

There is some pretty ribbon on the card edged in tiny flowers but I think I've mamanged to cover most of it up, oh dear!  The flowers are from my stash and I've added liberal sprinklings of my lovely glamour dust glitter.

I'm still trying to master photographing sparkle!  My OH has just ordered himself a brand new camera which is supposed to be able to do everything - I shall be testing its glitter photograph-ability when it arrives.  He still hasn't realised why I talked him into spending that much money on a camera for "himself"!

Don't forget to pop over to Allsorts challenge blog - there DT call runs until 14th June 2011.

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda



At last, I have a work desk!

It may be just a small work desk, tucked away in the corner of my bedroom, but at last - no more crafting on the dining table for me!!!  I had to give up my, then, sewing room when my youngest was born 10 years ago.  Also, I think that I am making it far too comfortable for my oldest for him to consider ever leaving home, so for now, I am more than delighted with my little crafting corner.

I am sharing my workspace with the WOYWW this week - you may recall a while back that I photographed the (open) left hand wardrobe, which is full of shelves of my crafting supplies.  I'm a bit afraid to open it today - after my tidy up things are strategically balanced inside and at great risk of toppling at any moment LOL!  I bought the cream metal drawer units from Ikea on Saturday - they were only about £20 each and quite by chance, are exactly the same height as the old painted pine table.  I've covered the old pine chair with a cover that I made from a disused pair of curtains.

So here's what's actually on my work desk at the moment:

I visited The Range on Monday and bought these goodies - the Creativity magazine has a free little polka dot embossing folder and a Me To You rubber stamp.  I also love the new Fizzy Moon stamps and bought some paper flowers to match.  The Kling-on is because I am removing some of my rubber stamps from the wooden blocks and mounting them onto foam.  Then to the left of the picture are some pom-pom makers.  I followed the pictoral instructions, carefully winding the wool and securing with a knot, then ended up with a desk full of 2" strands of wool in a clump - twice!  I need to study the pictures more - it seemed so easy :(.

These arrived yesterday - two patterns and pieces of fabric.  I can't wait to start making a new teddy now - or even the little elephant!  The pink fabric is synthetic but is the softest ever.  The pale lilac is a hand dye mohair and should make a lovely antique style bear.

Here's a close up of them - they came from Etsy.com - from a lovely shop called The Old Pin cushion, if any of you are interested.

I'm afraid there's not too much on my workdesk today, I am being a bit of a neat-freak at the moment with my new craft space (it won't last)!

Happy 2nd Anniversary to WOYWW!

Thanks for looking today,

Amanda

A few wedding flowers

I thought that, as wedding season is approaching, I'd share with you some pics of some wedding flowers that I made a while ago.  This corsage spray is made with Aqua roses which are a lovely blue-y pink colour.  I've added a bit of gyp and some diamantes, together with a bit of soft ruscus foliage. 

Not being very organised, I forgot to take a picture of the bouquet when I made it, so I've managed to crop it from a picture I took at the service, when the register was being signed. 

By the evening reception the petals had become a bit bruised by being knocked around a bit, but this picture is a bit clearer.

Here's another simple corsage that I made - red rose, spray carnations, gyp and some camellia leaves "borrowed" from my mom's garden!

Sadly though, the flowers lasted almost as long as the marriage did, oops!!!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away - Father's Day

We have our newly expanded DT over at Craft Your Days Away and it is the first time to see some fab creations from our new DT ladies.  Our challenge for the next two weeks at CYDA has been set by Sarah and she has chosen for you:

FATHER'S DAY (or a card for a man)

So, it is the perfect excuse to get your card made ready for Father's Day in the UK on 19th June 2011.  For those of you who are not celebrating it yet, you can make a card for a man too.

We have our regular sponsor, Simon Says Stamp, who are joining us again for this challenge and they are offering a $10 voucher to one lucky winner.  We are also on the look out for a new guest designer to join s for challenge 23 and Sarah will be picking her Top 3.

Now, onto my card ..... its an unusual choice, I do realise that but I have made it for a Dad who is Harry Potter mad!  He's not into football, or fishing, or golf so "normal" man images wouldn't really fit the bill.  When I saw this HP style image from Bugaboo (called The Chosen One) I knew it would be perfect for him!  I have coloured the image with pro markers and the paper is a free download from Summertime Designs.  I found the spider image on Flikr and it was free as long as it was for personal use only.  I added the googly eyes and have dangled him over the card with a thin ribbon so that he moves about.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Card for a male

Charizma cards - Boy oh boy!

Digi doodles - Anything goes

Meljens Designs - Father's Day

Crafting for all seasons - Anything goes

Digistamps 4 joy - Anything goes

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Simply Homemade - so much inspiration

Just got back from the weekly shop at Tesco where I spotted the current issue of Simply Homemade magazine.  I just had to share with you what a great buy it is for £3.99.  I love the cute unmounted stamps that came free with it and the mag is jam-packed with crafty inspiration!  There's a brilliant template sheet too.

I want to make EVERYTHING in the mag but I especially love the crochet shopping bag and the mini sewing box.  This is such a brilliant magazine for "Jack of all trades" crafters like me.  Oh no, I can feel another visit to Etsy coming on for some more supplies!!!

The next issue is out on 16th June so you've got about 2 weeks to get your copy too!

Amanda

Pollycraft's Dudley dinosaur

I'm getting back in the swing with crafting, slowly but surely.  I have the next 5 days off work (yay! another Bank Holiday Monday for us in the UK!!) and so I intend to get some crafting done.  I have done a little bit of retail theraphy on Etsy tonight - I've bought some lovely vintage style mohair and some adorable teddy patterns so I hope to get my sewing bag out in the next few days and have something nice to show you.  Retail therapy definitely helps - I recomend it, but then again, I'm not a bank manager, just a craft-aholic!!!

Today's card was one that I was asked to make.  It is for a little boy who lives overseas and so I have had to keep it fairly flat so that it can be posted easily.  I was asked to make a card with a dinosuar on it and so I thought that this Pollycraft image (Dudley with Balloon) was just right.  As usual I have coloured the image with pro markers, the papers are Its a boy thing by DCWV and I've cut the main shape with nestabilities.

The orange paper is supposed to be a giraffee but I thought it could also be scaly dinosaur skin (with a bit of artistic licence!).  I have embossed a strip of it with a Sizzix texture plate.  The card candy was originally white and I coloured it with a pro marker to get the colour match.

I told the lady (who the card was for) if Henry asks what kind of dinosaur it is, tell him it is a "Doyathinkhesaurus" - but then again, a five year old  boy probably knows all of the dinosaur names much better than the adults!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafting for all seasons - anything goes

Creativ Belli - use old/forgotten tool (Sizzix texture plates)

Digi stamps 4 joy - boys, boys, boys

Paper shelter - anything goes

Creative card crew - anything goes

Digital Tuesday - texture (embossing) and Pollycraft digi image

Stamps R us - going digital (Pollycraft image)

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Sharing a few birthday pictures ....

So sorry for being a bad blogger and not being around very much this week.  It hasn't been the best of weeks and I just haven't seemed to be in the right frame of mind to sit down and craft.  Actually, it is quite un-nerving as I have been in a bit of a cleaning and tidying mood all week which is not really me! 

I thought that I would share a few pictures of my son's recent 18th birthday - just to let you know that I'm still here and hopefully the crafting bug will bite again next week.

So here's me with my son on his birthday and, yes, I am wearing heels!  Can anyone spot the purple Papermania craft tote that I "forgot" to put away?

When we said that his taxi had arrived, this is what was waiting outside for us.  There was loud music blasting out and flashing lights inside - I think that all of the neighbours heard us and several came outside to see what the commotion was!!!

It was great fun being driven around before we went out for the night - we certainly turned a few heads.  My mother was waving out of the back of the limo just like the Queen.  We didn't have the heart to tell her that the windows were tinted and no one could see her!  Here's my youngest son enjoying the ride ....

And finally, here's me, yet again with a glass in my hand!  Must hide it next time!

Thanks for stopping by, I think it might be time to start making a new teddy bear, to get me back into the crafting mood.

Amanda



Tilda with flower pot card

This was the Tilda stamp that made me give into temptation after I had made a little pact with myself not to buy any more until I had inked up and used all of the others that I have bought.  I spotted it on a few blogs and it was a case of needing it, not just wanting it - you're with me on that one, right?  If you scroll down a couple of post you will see when I inked it up and added a little bit of grass and a butterfly that has been in my collection for almost 20 years.  I'm really pleased with how this one has turned out and I'm liking the bright summery colours at the moment!

Here's what I've used:

Magnolia stamp - Tilda with Flower Pot, coloured with pro markers

Pink paper by Anna Griffin

Flower paper by My Mind's Eye

Martha Stewart scallop lace heart punch

Happy Birthday stamp by Stamps Away

Tape ribbon (don't really know the correct name for it) - recycled from a sewing kit that it was wrapped around

Buttons and pearls from stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

A spoonful of sugar - anything goes
Anything goes challenge - Bingo (I chose Ribbon, flowers and Punches)
Claudia and Co - girl's birthday card
Cupcake craft - in the garden
Creative cowgirls - anything goes
One stitch at a time - anything goes
Pear Tree designs - use a stamped image
Divas by Design - anything goes

Thanks for looking!

Amanda