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Tuesday 31 January 2017

12 months of Scrapbooking - my glam- mam!


Hi all

Have you signed up yet for the 12 Months of Scrapbooking with the lovely Jen Fisher over at Crafter's Companion.  I used to scrap book years ago but somehow it fizzled out and card making took over.  But with my new resolution this year to do some different things by way of crafting this fitted I with my plans exactly!

Check out the details over at Crafters Companion and sign up for the next one

This months tutorial is over on you tube - loads of inspiration to get you going
check it out here

As you can see I pretty much followed Jen's layout
- it makes it so easy to make a really pretty page


This is a really lovely, special photo to me.  It's of my Mam at age 17 in 1946. 
Such a glamorous pose - a really stunning photograph - and one I think she rather likes!



I photocopied what she wrote on the back to make a journaling tag - so special to have it there in her own hand - my Mam is now 87,  is fit and well and looks years younger -I hope I've got those good genes lol

This is what I did....

Papers and  butterfly dies - Sara's Signature collection - Country Garden
Die cut frame - from Downton Abbey collection
Die cut numbers - Sizzix Vintage market by TimHoltz
Distress ink - TH Brushed Corduroy
vllum sentiment in frame - Anna Griffin
Stickers - K & Co 
Sequin flowers (on butterflies) Meiflower
tiny butterfly punch - woodware

I so enjoyed making this and love the result - it really adds a new dimension to an alreday special photograph - I do hope I've inspired you to join in - I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

hugs
Judith xx







Wednesday 25 January 2017

Hands up! - are you this crafty person lol

Hi all

I'm here to share my make do and mend/last minute panic/ card for the family member, card lol!

So come on lets take a hand count do you do any of these things

  • Make all kinds of things for no paricular reason
  • Mess on with no purpose at all with crafty stuff
  • Churn out DT cards apleanty
  • .... then find you didn't make a card for your husband/daughter/mother
  • - and its their birthday tomorrow ... EEEK!!


I have to admit that's me - usually
However with this particular card (I thought smugly ) I was very well prepared
Well it was the day before my husbands birthday and iI still hadn't made the card, but I had planned it, saw the perfect thing - just him to a T - it was the Sheena Douglass 'groovin' 60's collection.  my husband is a huge Beatles fan and grew up in the 60's so I could see great posabilities with these stamps. - so i went shopping at the Crafter's companion shop and a few sale items dropped into my basket too!

And here's the card - can you spot the deliberate mistake - perhaps not - dont those flower stamps and record player look fab lol


and that's where disaster struck!! - The day before his birthday I had a real fun time making the background with the tie dye and circle stencils and my distress inks, I stenciled the 'mod' from the mod stencil then I went to stamp the record player stamp and the flowers on the 60'd girl stamp.  - and there was the problem - I had had such fun looking through the sale pages on the website - I forgot to buy the stamps - EEEK.  Sothere was my card base with nothing to put on it.  I had a major panic - couldn't find a thing that would do instead but cut out the happy birthday banner, numbers and hearts to fill the space up but it just looked rubbish.  Then I looked at the cardboard packaging from the stencils and there were the flowers  the 45RPM and record player pictured on the front, so I cut them out - straight from the packaging - hey presto there was my card complete - Phew!!!

So use this as a cautionary tale - no more last minute cards : )
so let me start the hand count ... who's guilty lol

1,2,3,4.........hehehe




Friday 20 January 2017

Winter (wonderland)Chaos and spring fever

Good morning all

We're up and running again over at 

Winter Wonderland

We found out that our lovely DT leader Eileen (Stars cards) is very poorly in hospital at the moment and we've been cast a drift a bit , firstly because we didn't know where she was , then we didn't know what to do without her!  In the meantime Helen has taken over temporarily and we are running the challenge without our sponsors at the moment as we're not really sure about things!!

I'm sure you all agree that we need  to thank Helen for taking on the task and  also send our love and prayers to Eileen, we are being updated by her friend as to how she is and hope we will hear some good news about her soon

Anyway......
the theme of the challenge is

Spring Fever

(flowers, romance, sunshine  etc)
(we don't run Christmas challenges for the first few weeks of the year - to give you all a break!!)

I decided just to go with a pretty floral scene - of what I would like it to be like - instead of miserable cold and damp!!



This is what i did 

Cardbase - Diesire side stepper fancy card blank  (Kraft) from Crafter's Companion 
Dies   -Die'sire Grand Entrance Die from CC
       -  Happy birthday from CC Saras signature Just for Men
       - Flowers Sheena Douglass plain honesty  smallest die 
       - Birdcage - Kimono from CC
      - Leafy dies from Heartfelt Creations
Papers - Sugar hollow from HC
Owl stamp and die Sugar hollow
Bicycle stamp HC Journey
Coloured with CC Spectrum noir blendable pencils
Flowers - TH DI spun  and CC sparkle pen- lilac and sage green
shabby shutters distress stickles 
glossy accents
pebeo gilding wax (gates, cage, sentiment)

Hope you'll join in with us at WW this week and support our challenge as we struggle along

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Little miss muffet - Anything goes







hugs
Judith xx








Thursday 19 January 2017

Swirls and Curls for Moving along with the Times

Good morning all

Well look at me! - two days n a row lol - and I'm back again tomorrow (if I ever get to the end of tiny pink flowers!! - cards finished tiny pink flowers aren't lol)  I think I've finally got back into my blogging thing : )

Anyway.....We have a cute swirly and curly challenge for you this week !!

at 


Our theme is 

Swirls and Curls

I made this gift box with card that is covered in swirls
and added some die cut swirls too



This is what I did...
Box made with Crafers Companion A3 luxury cardstock
Swirls Die -by Anna Griffin
Flower and sentiment stamp -tropical nectar 
from Laguna Beach a little bit sketchy collection by Sheena Douglass
coloured with spectrum noir pens
Ribbon and sparkle heart from my stash

Hope you'll join in with our challenge this week

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Craftrocket - add a bow
Crafty gals challenge -add a heart
Simon says stamp - anything but a card
ATG with create with TLC challenge - Anything goes



hugs
Judith x


Wednesday 18 January 2017

Bring out your pretty ribbons!

Good morning all

Hope you are all well this fine morning and getting back into the swing of the new year!  I've been trying to get myself organised again - but it takes a bit of sorting out after Christmas lol.  I went to Ikea last week and bought 17 new storage boxes (to go with the other twenty odd lol) I've got it all planned in iny mind - these boxes are going to change my craft life and perfect my storage system!!! - I do actually know where everything is......in the meantime my craftroom is a mess, lovely new empty boxes piled everywhere- about 12 inches of space to craft in
 Oh and I've also got new pens to put away!! - 
......but need to do my colour chart first ,
....... then reorganise them again (I keep them in alpha order!!)..... 
.....I so wish  it was all sorted, 
.......I don't like chaos.  

Meanwhile I've got my grandaughter to look after today and at 9 months old she's no help at all lol 
But were going to have fun, ilove when she comes to play : )
- but I  digress....

We have a new challenge at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

our theme is 

Use Ribbon

 I made this card with an embossing folder
coloured with distress inks


Our sponsor for this challenge is the lovely


crafty ribbons

What I did....
Seam binding ribbon - Crafty Ribbons
Embossing Folder - Catitudes - delicate florals from Crafter's Companion
Lantern dies - Catitudes oriental additions from Crafter's Companion
Coloured with TH distress inks tattered rose and bundled sage
Pebeo gilding wax in siver
Kraft card - Crafter's Companion
Celebrate die cut - Sara's signature collection from Crafters Companion
Pearls from my stash

Hope you'll play along with us at Fab'n'Funky this week

Challenges I'm entering with this card

TTCRD - Anything goes 24/1
Try it on tuesday - anything but square 31/1
Creative cottage - ribbon and or pearls 31/1



Hugs
Judith x


Saturday 14 January 2017

#2017 - Happy Saturday! - happy planning with my crafty Happy Planner!!

Good morning all

I hope you're all warm and well this wintery Saturday morning
(well it's wintery in my corner of the world!)
We had a small amount of snow that only lasted yesterday
and I live only about a mile from the sea where there have been some spectacular tides crashing up
thankfully not doing any damage - but a wonderful display of nature

I't's been a busy week craft wise has this one!!
If you pop over to Fab'n'Funky Challenges you'll see we have some lovely new teamies.
Running a DT takes a lot of work sometimes and this was one of those weeks!
But I've got everyone up and ready on the blog and our new sponsors sorted for the year 
(well except one closed before the year started so  - we're on the lookout for someone to cover a couple of weeks! - - any offers or ideas lol
I've also been busying away with my new crafty goodies for the year
continuing with my 'crafting for a purpose' theme
and here's the beginning of the beginning - so to speak!

I got myself a lovely 365 Happy Planner (the craft version!)
and aim to use it!!

I started off colouring the cover, using my Clouristapens from Crafter's Companion
- they're great for this type of colouring if you've never tried them



I loved how it turned out but it wasn't really what I wanted
- it's a bit too .....nice ha ha

so I had a lovely couple of messy days and made some covers of my own design
and this is the one I chose to go with



Still quite flowery but in a messy sort of way 
and it says something about me and what I'm aiming to do with it
- not your bog standard planner cover

I used Sheena Stamping card and coloured it with my Ranger Dylusions paints in bubblegum pink, crushed grape, fresh lime and cherry pie - just sort of slapped it on with a baby wipe - it blends beautifully, I then stamped and painted in the details and dotted about a bit with the handle end of the brush - I loved the messyness of it! - a bit scary but very satisfying

The flowers are Sheena Douglass Day of the Dead Floral Fiesta
and I then layered up using the coordinating dies
- these Perfect Partner dies really are perfect!! 
I didn't want it too dimensional or 'big' because I wanted it to fit inside the plastic cover. After all if it's going to get regular use it needs to be hard wearing lol

After that I added just a few odds and ends, buttons, brads,beads and a key
and finally added the inspiring words which are again stamps from Sheena Douglass
I just stamped them very simply, cut them by hand and stuck them on  in a random way
and in the top corner die cut   -   #2017   - and that's what it's all about!!

I've started to decorate my pages as I go - I've even written i it lol
I'll keep you updated as I go 
.... I think this will be fun

The flowery colouring didn't go to waste, I liked it to  much!
- I've used it on the inside cover, which is still a work in progress



 - I'll show you the back another time!!

Why don't you join me - you don't need to buy a fancy planner, it could be done with any reasonabley sized diary - and they'll be reduced in price  by now as the shops scramble to get rid of them before the end of January

Happy Saturday, Happy planning

Challenges I'm entering with this card 

Challenge up your life - a self made background 17/1
Just us girls- all over stamping 20/1
art by miran - Anything goes 20/1
Creative artists mixed media - anything mixed media goes 30/1

hugs Judith 

xxx

Tuesday 10 January 2017

New beginnings.....Crafting with a purpose - who's with me?


Good morning all

Well I think the New Year has finally sunk in!
I've clung on to it being a holiday as long as I can but I can finally announce

2017 is here (he he)

We've had a busy time over the holidays - lots of people to stay and I even had to give my craft room over to being a bedroom again for a little while, but everyone's gone, the decorations are back in their boxes in the loft and I'm ready to face the year.  

I'm not one to make huge sweeping resolutions but I've given my crafting some thought and have decided to make 2017 the year of crafting with a purpose.  I have boxes of cards that never get sent and really it's much less fun when you don't really have a destination for what you're making 

Sooo,,,, 
  • there's going to be  more mixed media - I have a brand new book to fill for a start
  • journaling is the way forward.....
  • I'm going to use and decorate my lovely new craft planner!
  • more mini albums - I have a couple to finish and a couple to start!
  • Scrapbooking  (have you see the great new monthly scrap - 12 months of Crafting with Jen Fisher over at Crafter's Companion? - that's on my list too!!(here's a link if you want to sign up https://a.pgtb.me/lzc1wz)
  • Pictures and picure frames
  • Altered art - a pile of 'stuff' needs to be looked at plaques bought in sales, some jars and boxes...
  • construction
  • and of course lots of cards - but more with something or someone in mind - so much better for the mojo!! - I'm going to use up those ribbons, buttons, papers and charms!!
  • lots of colouring - practice makes perfect.......
It's good to challenge yourself - more motivating
and if it doesn't work out it's only paper and  card and pens and paint
move on and learn from the mistakes you made

I spend far to much time trying to put something wrong right
- I've learned it's so much quicker and easier to start again.....

Crafting with a purpose - maybe we could even start a group....!!

So in honour of new beginnings here are some DT cards for Crafter's Companion-  I made
last year but didn't share them all on my blog
no colouring this time - just dies - but I so enjoyed making these
who doesn't need (or love) a baby card!






All using the Dies and papers from the Little Angel range from Sara's signature collection at 
Crafter's Companion - available HERE

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Crafty Purple Frog - New beginnings
Dream valley challenges - something new 22//1
The ribbon girl - must use ribbon/must be a card
a gem of a challenge - something new
My Time to Craft - something new

I hope I've inspired you into a new crafty year - lets make 2017 a purposeful one!

Hugs
Judith x




Wednesday 4 January 2017

Little Girls come out to play with us at Fab'n'Funky Challenges

Good morning all

And Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year 
and have come out the other side to start 2017 with optimism!

I always like the feeling of New Year - New start 
It's silly really because it's just the day after the last one
But somehow it's a chance to start again - a brand new year to fill!

We're happy to be back at Fab'n'Funky Challenges this week too
After our end of year break the team are raring to go
we also have a DT call going on so if you would like the chance to join us 
check it out HERE

Our first challenge for the year is 

Little Girls

and I have used our sponsor image 

Little Autumn Girls - available here


Our sponsor this week is 


who are offering a prize of 2 images

Here's what I did

Image - little autumn girls from All Dressed Up
Coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and pencils
Papers - LOTV - Birdie Lane
Flower die - Lazy Daisy from Saras Country Garden Collection at Crafter's Companion
Happy birthday  die cuts - Just for Men collection at Crafter's Companion
Bow Die - Grand bow from Downton Abbey collection at Crafter's Companion
Label die and pierced label die - MFT


Hope you'll join in with us this week to welcome us back for a whole exciting year of challenges -
And don't forget about the DT call!

Challenges im entering with this card

All dressed up - anything goes 13/1

Hugs
Judith