Shabby Chic Framed Art

Hello, crafters and friends. I have decided that come what may I am going to have a shabby chic front room (as my pocket will allow) it's going to take time and money so it will be a slow process. However I can start by making some art for the walls can't I? This is a box frame that started off life in a charity shop brown with some dried flowers in it (wish I had taken a photo.) Any way I stripped it sanded it and painted it. It's since been sat there looking at me. I didn't know what I was going to do with it, and then I had an idea and so here it is and I hope you like it.

I have to say a BIG thank you to the The Graphic Fairy I have used a few images from her blog (so many freebies you have to go and see) here you can see receipts, perfume bottle labels, post cards etc all from the lovely fairy. I have printed them off and aged the papers so they look old with DIs. The lady images I am not so sure where they come from, the one in the corner says ACF not sure who that is, the other has nothing on that photo to let me know. If you know do let me know and I can give credit because they are really pretty and very useful.

The beautiful DP is from Making Memories the 'Je t'doreor' collection oh so lovely, I used this so many time as back ground to photos I was taking of tags etc I finally had to use it (so glad I did) 

There are some yummy things of Tim's in there too (new things lush ;0) The broken doll I can't remember what there called but DON'T throw away the packaging I made some wax versions as well so I have a supply with out keep buying them (how cool?) not as much detail as the original (original in the frame) but not a bad substitute ;0) Well this is my post I hope you like it, let me know what you think I always value your opinions. Love Dawn xx

Journal double page

Who doesn't? ;0) I love cake in all forms yummy. I had saved some photos from a magazine and decided to go for it yesterday and this is what I came up with. I am really getting into the journaling, although I know I am a long way from being good at it. Saying that I like what I have created and that's what's important isn't it. I really love the colours and I wanted to create a back ground that would be light and co-ordinate with the photos. So I got some distress ink (DI) and added a couple of squirts to a 2fls oz bottle and then topped up with water, then I got some Tattered Angles GM in bubble gum oh I love this colour. and there was the back ground.

A bit of doodling and a wee bit of journaling and that was finished and I really am happy with it. (not happy with the tea pot and cup & saucer but I can't really do anything about that) I'm loving my cake stand ha ha, and cup cakes, we was in Harrogate a couple of weeks ago and we couldn't afford the Tea room at Betty's think hubby draws the line at £45 for high tea for two lol any way I made my own high tea of sorts. I hope you like my journaling efforts I hope you have a lovely day, looks like our Spring is on the turn but I really have enjoyed the last two weeks of warmth and buds on the trees blossoms blooming every where, God really does bless us so very much I really love the reminder of creation when all comes alive again in Spring. Love Dawn xx

Card,Tag & challenges

Good morning, I am SO tired and the weather is  on the change to a more wet and colder few days so the weatherman say's I have been crafting a wee bit ;0) and having fun. And I can see many of you have to. I have been doing the rounds and your all so busy. This is how I have come to know about the  Less is More challenge there is a sketch to follow this week and as always you have to keep things to a minimum. This can be harder than any card to make sometimes but I loved the challenge of it. Another challenge this fits is The Play Date Cafe challenge they have a lovely colour combo this week of White Blue and Lilac and I think this is a lovely combination. So pop by these challenge blogs if you can and join in.

Here's a close up I have used stamps from Oxford Impressions and a couple of cuttlebug EF some of the co-ordinations card stock so I could sand it down for added texture and interest.

I really had fun creating this, I have used several of tim's dies to create this and I have used a few stamps (crafty secrets) with faux stiching and a lovely sentiment. I am going to enter this in to Tag Tuesday which is 'vintage sewing' this week.

Here's a close up showing the tag in more detail, you can see the EP and stamped back ground as well as more detail on the actual die cut. I have to say even though I stayed up all night creating several pieces and getting ahead with comments and posts I am really happy and I am off to bed for a few hours so my eyes will at least stay open. What a silly thing to do, stay up all night! Love Dawn xx

RELAX

Relax, yeh right lol but this lady is very relaxed in her lovely chair. There are quite a few techniques on this tag. I have been at it with paint and wax again ;0) not forgetting a transfer as well. This is for a couple of  challenges one is a brand new one, there only in their 2nd week and they are Paint Party Friday (PPF) This is going to be a popular one I can tell. From what I have read there are no specifics as long as you use paint, I think they will be more challenging as it goes on, with types of paint to use etc. The other challenge is also a new one, I am excited about this one to. This is over at the lovely Linda's blog and it's called Grunge Monday. pop over for details about this challenge needless to say Tim Holtz is a continuing theme.

Here is a close up, like I said plenty of paint and wax, some old book pages and the torso from Tim's new die cut, sewing room. I love it so much lol. Well that's it for today I hope you have a chance to comment, I love hearing what you have to say and it also gives me a chance to pop along to a new blog if you haven't commented before. A big hello to my new followers to Josie & Janna so lovely to see you and I hope you enjoy the journey I am on, I have been to both blogs and they are lovely and full of talent. It's time to get a move on with the rest of the day. Love always Dawn

Sew much fun

Hello every one how are you today, well I hope. I am having my beloved grandson over for the week end and he takes up all my time so as well as hoping to help the family of my friend Pat (who died Thurs) I have a bundle of energy in James to deal with. Nothing like having children around when you want to feel sorry for yourself :0) they remind you of all the joys in life. Well another little tag using the many (too many) things  bought last week end. I will be feeling the pinch for a while oops! ;0) I am going to add this to a challenge over at Frankies Tag it on Frankie is going for haute couutre  hope you like it Frankie. do pop along she has some lovely challenges and I really should join in more often. All she asks is that for every challenge you use a real stamp.

Here's your close up, the dress form from the die cut 'sewing room'. I had to have this and it's so versatile, don't worry I will show you how lol look at previous post for one example and I am going to (when I get the chance) to use the torso on it's own for some thing as well. I hope you like this, let me know if it fits in to any challenges I may have missed ;0) Love Dawn

Tag & Challenges

How are you, this fine day? I love playing with tags, sadly one of the challenges I like to play has stopped, thankfully though some lovely person has taken up the mantle YAY! Rebecca New Tag Tuesday and what better than 'Spring' so here we are with a Spring tag I hope others will join in too. And over with Hel's of Sunday Stampers it's all about die cuts.

Here's a close up. I have used two of Tim's DC today the little bird cage and bird (how cute?) and also the stand from the dress form. The back ground stamps are all SU and all the inks are also Tim's I used some EP on the flower so it stands out IRL The gold ink is Ink it up! and I coloured my little bird with some stabilo pens. Who needs a gilded cage when Spring is here. Love Dawn xx

I sadly was told today (Thurs) one of my friends at church has died today. It's a loss to be sure but I am happy that she is with our lord and saviour and her pain is over, she had several strokes and has been in hospital since before Christmas. I do not know when the funeral is as yet but if I disappear for a few days you know why, in the mean time I have scheduled this post for Fri. Love to all of you D xx

The Sun Is Shining

I am so happy because the sun is shining the garden is showing signs of life and I have time to craft. Doesn't get much better than that does it? ;0) I felt about 8yrs old colouring this in. I could of gone for the copics as I often do when colouring but I wanted that child like quality. The stamps are from Dyan of Dylusions I love the body and mushrooms the rest including the head I did my self The inks are tim's for the back ground.

I used to draw girls all the time in class with my friend Paula. But I would never had drawn them for a project because they are so child like but looking at Dyan's head (provided with the stamps) as lovely as it was I wanted something different, so I drew my own and then I thought why not the house and hills as well? even mr sun is smiling so that is what the sun did to me today lol maybe I should stay in the shade ha ha. This also fits well in the the Artistic Stamper challenge whitch is 'Spring is sprung' and while I am at it I will include it in to Tag Tuesday  'Spring' and the wonderful Rebecca has take over the mantle of the lovely Louise. 

I made an ATC on Friday with a new sheet off a friend of mine, you may well know her as Land of Nod Studios Well the lovely Debs has now decided to do some digi sheets and they are gorgeous, go and have a look for your self HERE I have already bought some and I love them. And on her blog she gives images away every Friday they are not to be missed.

Here's a close up of the images I used. I inked and stamped the back ground with some crafty Individuals love their stamps and Malcolm is a little angel bless. I stuck the ATC on to a cheap little note book to take with me to Harrogate to write down e-mail addys and ideas I saw. I hope you like my items today I had lots of fun making them. Love Dawn xx

WOYWW 94

Morning, I haven't been here for some time. Julia's WOYWW is so popular I always feel guilty not getting round to every one, but if you wanted to see my desk here it is. When I was at Harrogate (this week end) I bought a lot of things (most are away now they wouldn't fit on the table ha ha) But I love my new distress ink pad holder so spent yesterday labelling and colouring the labels, talk about procrastinate from doing other things lol but it was fun. I am doing a fat book swap as well each of us are doing a technique and then when we get it back we will have 40 techniques including instructions. mine is a shabby chic with paint and EP 15 finished so a way to go just yet lol. there is also a couple of stamp sets just peeking in one by Dyan and another from Tim. I will say thank you for stopping by and hope to see you on another day. Love Dawn xx

Journal 'what do you believe'

Over at the'Artist nest' we are journalling each month one of the journals is given inspiration by a question each month. This month it's 'What do you believe?' so this is my page. No close up though. I used a glossy magazine then I crunched it up, laid it flat and then used  (watered gesso all over it) when it was dry I put some other paints, by Dyan from AFTH. Love Dawn xx

Tags for challenges

Hello, I had the best week end away. I went to the Great Northern Paper craft Extravaganzer GNPE. There were some wonderful stalls there. I was only disappointed that there were no make and takes going on. Having watched Tim on CHA and many others they all do demos of there products, some do make and takes. But there were no makes and takes and a few were doing some examples of making things but not at all what I thought these shows were all about. It was just like having lots of shops to go looking around and spend lots of pennies. Although I ended up with three bags full of stuff, I was only there two hours and I had planned for it to be a whole day. It was very popular and it was crushing how many were there. So that over with harrogate was the place to be had a lovely time lunch in the sun and Tapas for the evening meal. B&B and then church and  then a wonderful vintage fair (things to die for and I just had to make a few purchases ;0). So waffle over with that was my weekend, if you were even interested ha ha.

The Tags, well I have done this for Gingersnap Creations I really had a lot of fun making this. For the Bkgrd I used some paper towels I had been mopping up my journals with. I found a type writer font on the freebie Da Font in my side. I punched them out and covered with glossy accents some distress EP on the key along with some AIs first to give it age, the paper is G45 and that's about that. 

This tag is for a challenge over at Bella Creations Unique Challenges. Create a spot light of colour. I decided rather that just punch out a circle as you would normally I would print the stamp of Alice's Rabbit (looks more like a hair in the book illustrations) then stamp another image and colour his jacked and then glue it on top of the original image. Then I was going to do the same with Alice and I thought I would just colour a little directly on her dress of the first image. there is plenty of time to join in both of these challenges if you would like to have a go. I hope you like these tags and that your week end was eventful as you wanted it to be ;0) Love Dawn xx

A wax canvass?

I should be in Harrogate enjoying my self buying stash and wandering around the love town while you are reading this, so I thought I would leave you with something so you wouldn't miss me too much ;0) I think it's official my Mojo has returned making the coasters awoke the artist in me and this is what you get while playing with WAX ;0) It's my first time creating a piece mainly of wax this way, and what fun. I wasn't sure about it, any how you be the judge what do you think?

Obviously this is old material pattern paper (charity shops are marvellous things) and the part of the cover. It just got me thinking about me and my sister, as there is a seven year age gap. The image can say so much and this is why I had to include it. I love how the wax works with text and I will be doing this again soon ;0) with more text. I could really do with a quilters iron lol but at £35+ it will have to wait. don't you find every thing always needs new tools. This is why crafter (me any way) are always penniless ha ha. I hope you like, and welcome to my new followers, Ricardo, Tee, Chelsea, and Martica. It's always fun to share with new people. Love Dawn xx

And as a thank you to those who continue to visit and comment, And because I am away for the week end, (which has put me in a fabby mood) I have also added a couple more of my scanned vintage adverts for you. Love Dawn xx

Altered Coasters

Hiya, how are things with you? good I hope. I am off for the weekend to Harrogate there is a craft fair there and I haven't been to one of these big shows before, the weather is looking good and I am taking DH and we're going to make a weekend of it, how cool ;0). He is very supportive of my hobby as it helps me so much and he never moans about how much stash I have (bless him). So this will be another scheduled post! I have been messing with coasters again and I really like what's happened. There is actually a challenge for steam punk on a sight I have never hear of so I will enter this to Creavil it's a German challenge sight.

This is a go at steam punk but not overboard, if you know what I mean. I got some great free steam punk back grounds from Sqidoo I had never heard of it my self, worth having a nosey through though. I printed the freebie off then used some matt medium on top of the already painted (and dry) coaster, then put the print face down wet the back with water and rubbed the paper with my fingers until all the paper had gone and only the image remained (easy and therapeutic) Then I put some petroleum jelly (50p @ Wilkinsons for a huge 200g tub) in places where I wanted the image to show through, then added a coat of brown paint all over the coaster and over the PJ to. (allow to dry) Then rub off the paint with a dry paper towel where the PJ was and volia! then I just added some images (Dezinaworld) and a clock with glossy accents added, as well as a new TH stamp with EP to raise it and there you go one simple looking coaster! ha ha.

As there is a lot of drying time I made two. Love how this one turned out as well. Not as much on this one but this image is so cool it's from an old film magazine. Below are some scanned freebies for you, they have some great adverts in them, they will have the feminist in you screaming, they just make me smile I love them lots. 

You should be able to click on these and save as. They are really large to so you can use them for journals or even reduce the size for an ATC. Bye for now have a great week end, love Dawn xx

Colourful card.

It's very late hence the poor quality of the photos. This is for the challenge over at The Play Date Cafe. I couldn't say no to this colour combo I really like it. (although it's lovely and bright IRL) Although it looks simple so much time has gone into this card. I made a promise to my self this week to use some of the many DP I have bought over the years. So here are some Stampin' Up! papers. I much prefer to use mix media to make my own back grounds now but there was a time I would always use DP. I am also hoping to get some 12 x 12 LOs going soon (been saying this since Jan.)  that will get rid of a few lol.

You may recognise the frame? I have moulded one of Tims and used some Friendly Plastic to fill the mould I made. The Eiffel tower I have made before I love that mould (bought) then there are the flowers lots of Alcohol Ink then  a stamp and cut out to stick on a card, tag or what ever, feel free to enlarge to get more detail. I will schedule this post I am off to the land of nod ;0) Love Dawn xx 

Tag & Challenges

Morning, I have lost it! (my mojo) I am gutted, so if you find it please send it back immediately!  I am so lost with out it, I was on such a roll as well so I am a little sad :0( so I thought I would do a challenge or two so I can get those creative juices flowing. Over at the Stamp Smith they want to see any SS stamp and the colours Blue and Brown. And SSS&S want to see some stars (they are there honest) And Hels over at Sunday stampers Also wants to see Brown.

I can't say this has brought my Mojo to life but it's better to do something than nothing. The stars are gems (the teeny tiny kind) in the top left corner. I thought I would use some paper and beads. these are glass beads off last years flip flops ha ha. I don't throw any thing away now with out checking A. if it's good enough for charity.  And B if it's not, what can I use off it? I used PVA tacky glue as it dries clear. I am happy with it but I need my MOJO back, believe it or not this tag took all day, I KNOW, you don't want to know how many ended in the bin. lol Have a good day. Love Dawn xx

Altered Coaster

Hello again it's still Monday. Both winners have contacted me, I am so pleased your both happy with your win. I am also back with a crafty piece for you. I really enjoyed the technique  for the back ground for this so Much so I am joining a fat book swap over at My Art Friends And I will be sharing this technique for the back ground. This is a great group with lots of wonderful things to share. This month we're looking for the first 40 people to join in and select a technique and we are going to have a large page x40. So lots to do as each page is original (not a copy) just imagine though 40 pages coming back your way each with a different technique with the instructions on the back. I have to say last time I looked (this morning) there were only eight places left. But if you miss out not to worry there are lots of other things for inspiration.

Here is a close up, I really like the torso, there from Wendy Vecchi Art Parts 'dress forms and more'. I got mine from Art from the Heart and there are so many variations to. I love them so thick will not buckle with paint spays etc I hope you like this. I love it!

I also thought I would share this, another technique with alcohol ink I have yet to perfect it. But I am liking it so far ha ha. This is packaging which I have stamped with stazon ink cut out then later I have placed AI on the back I painted it on and got lots of control however the colour was very diluted. So I have suffered the lack of control to get the intense colour. Then I have used my heat gut to melt the plastic so I could mould the wings. Have a go and let me know how you improve as I am sure you can. And so now in to my third year of blogging Love Dawn xx

Winners of the 2yr blogaversary candy

Hello And what a beautiful morning here in the UK looks like Spring is really on it's way, Finally.

Well the first generator number is for those who follow that are Abroad that wanted to receive a little goodie pack from my self as I couldn't send the CB. I have had to do a lot of renumbering as many of you were just kind enough to pop by and say hello and congratulations. So finally there were just nine of you who replied who were from abroad and the winner is....... Number 1

  GRAFT ATTACK

If you would like to get in touch I will send you a little something in the post, thank you for following and celebrating my two years in blog land.

The second draw is for the cuttlebug it's self, So if you're in the UK This was your chance to win one of the most popular die cut machines out there. Now the cuttlebug is SO popular that many of you already have one, so that is testament to just how good this prize is. And I hope you really enjoy making and cutting to your hearts content. So in the end there were only three people who wanted this wonderful prize. The odds are looking really good, I know all these ladies really well and I hope you really enjoy your cuttlebug. The winner is...... Number 2 

TWIGLET. 

Please contact me so I can get the details I need to get this off to you. And thank you for following my journey in blog land.

I hope to be back later with a crafty post for you. I would like to say again, thank you for all your support it makes being in blog land so much more fun to share with you I really appreciate all your comments and I hope we can spend more time together. Love Dawn xx

Edited to add. I must have done some thing wrong with the number generator. As I did the draws in post and then when posting they results disappeared But I can assure you these were the results drawn I am sorry for any confusion this may have caused.  Love Dawn xx

Crafty Dawn's special post.

I hope you think this is a COOL give away! I have been in the bloggy world now for two years in February. And I can tell you this has passed by in a flash! But I have made some really wonderful friends and as a thank you I would like to give you this. Now I must stress it is NOT NEW. But I really look after my things, so it's like new ;0) I may even include a few more goodies to! 

So big question, what do you have to do?

• Leave me a comment to say you would like this give away.
• I hope your already a follower but if not and you like my art, not just the give away then I would love for you to become a follower.
• Be in the UK  for the Cuttle bug. (sorry it's so heavy)
• However, I will do a separate surprise gift  for my friends abroad (not so heavy)

That's it. I would rather if you already have a die cut machine please do not enter. Now if I can find out how to use that random generator thing I will use that. I hope this will be a sticky at the top, so please look below for new posts. I will only have this give away open for a just over a week.

Please mark your comment UK for the cuttlebug and Abroad for the surprise gift

 So if you can have your entries in by Sunday the 13th I will draw on Monday14th

THIS GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Bird journal swap. February

This is a swap I started in January. We started a journal on Birds and each month we swap a page with a different thing in mind. well for Feb. it had to be love, and my bird loves his freedom. We'll have 12 pages at the end of the year if we choose to participate each month. I hope to stick it out for the year. I have had two lovely swaps in return so far. 

The person who this was for has now received it and I can show it to you all. I hope you like it. Love Dawn xx

ATC Shrine

Another week begins. How was your week end? Did you spend it with friends, family,working, shopping or did you like me spend all Saturday crafting lol We always try to get everything we can done so we don't have to go out on a Saturday unless it's for pleasure  =) and even then I so prefer my own home lol. Well whatever you did I hope you had some fun. I spent Saturday making this. They're having a swap over at Bella Creations Follow the link and you can join in to. You have until the end of March. I am getting an early start on all my swaps ;0)

Here is a close up. I copied the image on to photo paper cut her out and added her to the match box which I had already decorated with paper. There is some special magic fairy dust & a magical shell to help her to become a ballet dancer so she can wear a tutu and twirl to her hearts content. I added some colour to the photo with my copics. If you would like details of how to make this shrine there is a template and instructions on the Bella Creations site as well. Well I hope you have a lovely Monday. I would also like to say a specially warm welcome to the new followers that have joined me on this crafting journey over the last few days. Love Dawn xx

Card for all the single ladies ;0)

So sunny this Sunday really difficult to take photos lol. I had to join in this challenge when I saw this image. Try it on Tuesday are asking for a card with the influence of a song. I love Beyonce I know I am probably way to old but I'm to old to care ha ha. Any way back to the card. If you haven't guessed already my song influence is 'ALL THE SINGLE LADIES'

Don't they look like they know something you don't ;0) and having a lovely time. I have copied the image on to photo paper and aged it and the rest I think you know. Just a quick card with a little humour. have a lovely Sunday. Dawn xx

This is for those who don't know the song. it wouldn't allow the real Beyonce so this for comic relief will have to do lol