Tag Swap

Hello every one ;0) I have now taken one of my boys to London and settled him in at his University digs. It's been a very busy time and art work has had to come second (Family first). So I haven't been around much I know. I have seen a swap for tags, how cool I thought. This will get me going, I love making tags. So I am joining the lovely Heather For her first swap/challenge.

For the swap you have to make three tags size 3x5 inches, each tag has a different theme made by Heather This is my version of 'Vintage Birds' with some stamps and a little help from the Graphic Fairy and Vintage Moth Some stamps and a wee bit of time ;0)

This is my version of the 'Day Dreamer' Theme image from Crafty Individuals and flowers & bird painstakingly cut from Laura Ashley DP ;0) Some stenciling and inking and some paint covered with clear crackle paint to add to the texture. If you enlarge the photos you will also see that the back ground is also covered in clear crackle. This has warped the tag a little but I'm sure it will flatten out with a weight on it for a while ;0)

And last but by no means least is my take on 'Season of mellow fruitfulness (Autumnal)' Some die cut leaves in co'ordinations card stock for texture both used as stencils and actual die cuts. Some stamping on paint chip (love using them) and actual leaf imprint on some friendly plastic and metallic rub on to show the leaf detail. I do hope you like these tags ;0) one of them could be yours if you join in the swap I hope you play along. Love Dawn xx

Travel Tag

Hi Peeps, over at Simon Says Stamp & Show (SSS&S) & Tag It On 93 they want to see some travel. The DT went all out as usual so stop by and have a look. I went for a tag (love making tags) There are about three transfers on the background as well as stamps. I love the tickets which you can buy Here as well as many other lovely's including the dress form ticket.

I started with a die cut of Tim's (tag) and then some Distress ink shabby shutters & Crushed Olive. Edged with Walnut Stain, then the Vintage Fairy & Denzer World came to the rescue with some images that I transferred using gel med & hot glue. Finally I stuck on the lovely down loads and edged them to with distress ink in walnut stain. A couple of Oxford Impression stamps and there you have it, oh and some of the twine in air mail (thought this was appropriate as we were traveling ;0) Love Dawn xx

The Stamp smith challenge

How about this for a wake up call? So bright and believe it or not my second post of the day, so make sure you have a quick nosy below ;0). I love the stamps from The Stampsmith most are very detailed but these are for all the men in my life ;0) this plate has Jimmy Hendricks, Jim Morrison (a favorite) Janis Joplyn and John Lennon I don't know if they actually make them any more so I am glad I gave in and bought them.

Here's a wee close up as there are lots of layers. The Stampsmith are asking that we use a sketch as a starting point this time so I have left out a circle and followed the rest with lots of psychedelic colours of alcohol ink to give it a real retro feel. I do hope you find time to join in to. Love Dawn xx

Sketch book Marilyn

Monday Morning, fresh start to the week and it's going to be beautiful sunny weather today here in the UK but we are told to make the most of it as it's gonna be chuckin' it down the rest of the week so my washing machine is on and the beds are going to be stripped. Yep that is my exciting day ;0) Although When I was in Hospital I did have time to do a few things crafting wise and I thought I would share this with you and Paint Party Friday (PPF) I started with a white page and couldn't think of anything so I spashed some water and Neos on the paper allowed to dry then I stamped Marilyn very lightly as I wanted to add my own sketch to it as well. A few stamps here and there a little more colour and it's kind of Andy Worhol but not (my own version) I do hope you like it, I have had to miss a couple of the PPFs as in hospital so it's really nice to join the others again. Love Dawn xx

Travel ATC

Hello and a very good day to you ;0) I am back from hospital and apart from one complication I am recovering well. So I still probably wont be around as much as I would like on the computer but I am very well and thank you all for stopping by and wishing me well again. I had some time spare and the ability to sit comfortably to create an ATC & inchie. I really enjoyed playing again on these small canvasses.

This photo should be landscape but it doesn't appear to have saved it that way. Never mind, you still get a really good close up of the inchie here as well as the background stamping. I based the ATC on travel I even put a real old French Franc on as well as a vintage stamp, I think it gives it an authentisity all of it's own ;0) Love Dawn xx

Hello Bloggy friends. Just a short post to let you all know I am off to hospital for my operation ;0) I will miss your beautiful talent for the week I am gone. 

Not to be morbid but if for what ever reason I don't come back (which I am sure I will But just in case) You have all given me the best time. I have had such support and love and I hope I have given such as well.

But fear not I will be back with some more art work and to visit you all again very soon. I will really miss my usual challenges and talking to you all. However, I have packed some arty stuff to take to hospital and I will share this with you on my return. Love Dawn xx

Shabby Chic Box

Hello all it's Paint Party Friday I do love joining in this challenge, I usually join in on my Journal Journey's blog sharing my pages. However, this week I was playing with a cigar box and slapped paint all over. Paint is so versatile isn't it? ;0) I first sanded the box and removed all labels, saving some for ephemera at a later date (I try not to waste anything lol) then covered in a lovely Laura Ashley emulsion. Then papers and stamping ensued.

I peeled the pretty paper off the letters (as it had a glossy finish) then painted. Put some lovely vintage lace on and some pretty die cuts along with some confetti  made in to a lovely rose and inked edges finished off with a button and a gingham brad. I am now going to spend time oohing and arrhing at all the work that appears on this wonderful challenge. Maybe you will have time to have a look around while your here? Thank you to all that visit and comment. Love Dawn xx

Grungy Monday 18

Another Monday, I do hope you have all had a super week end and you are all well rested. We all had lovely weather and my grandson staying so we just had joy. We also have adopted a new puppy called Duke as in (The Duke John Wayne;0) He was my daughter in-laws and she is now pregnant with her 2nd child and has decided having a puppy would be too much. Michael took to him immediately So the house is getting rather full of cats and dogs lol. 

Duke and Lola get on very well and he's settling in nicely with the cats to. Another member of the family.

here is this weeks GM with the lovely Linda Studio L3 and this week we're using another one of Tim's techniques. It's always fun to play along with every one here. Over at SSS&S it's all about showing tags so I thought I would also play along here as well this week. Thank you for your continued visits and comments. Love Dawn xx

Journal Journey Ch02

Hello. I hope you are well and enjoyed the week end and the sun. It's always an exciting time for me when it comes to the first of the month as it's time for my Journal Challenge I do hope you will come and join me this month ;0) 

As this month the challenge is FAIRIES I know how many of you love these beautiful mythical creatures, so I do hope you will be able for the month of August to get a lovely journal page together all about these lovely fairies. There is also a give away this month so do pop along to Journal Journey's for more information of how to join in the fun. Love Dawn xx

Vintage Singer Sewing Machine

When I went to Harrogate for my B'Day I found this amazing piece of vintage loveliness. I know that many of the blogs I have visited have a love of sewing and particularly vintage machines so I thought I would share this beautiful fined with you. Prepare yourself for lots of photos. I was thrilled to find this wonderful treasure.

The key is missing to open this treasure. However, easy done with a screw driver.

The original instruction manual 1926 

I really wanted to share this find with all of you, I hope you to find it of interest. This machine was made in Scotland, the Clyde bank factory If you have any other  knowledge about this model or the special feet that were found with it that you would like to share I would love to know more about it. This machine is still working and has the original plug, which I have been advise to change but I think it's all part of it's obvious beauty, don't you? I have a modern machine I use, I just had to own this piece of historical start to electric sewing machines. Love Dawn xx

Grungy Monday 17

Hello, a whole week that's a long time for me with no postings. I do hope I am forgiven ;0) Thank you all so much last week for congratulating me on the GDT appearance so lovely of you. I enjoyed it lots and saw every ones work, you really all rocked. And so it's Grungy Monday again with Linda SL3  who hosts the weekly challenge & Tim Holtz who's products and techniques inspire in this challenge. This week it's Rock Candy stickles.  I have now run out, with this challenge so more will be on the list to buy as I really love it's subtlety.

Here's a close up so you can see the lovely rock candy. I love Dina Wakley new stamp as well. I just feel these will be very versatile for so many things, my journaling will benefit from this beauty I'm sure ;0). I think the papers really make this tag all come together beautifully. Thank you for stopping by as always and any comments you leave. Love Dawn xx

Grungy Monday 16

Are you gonna have some fun playing this week! It's all about the GRUNGE this week, grunge board/paper from the fabby Tim Holtz and the lovely Linda. I am a special GDT  this week I know, how cool? Also there is the lovely Brenda also GDT member I am sure she is as thrilled as I am, do pop by and have a nosy at Brenda's lovely creations as well ;0)  I had so much fun I played for too long and made lots of goodies I hope your going to join in the fun this week.

And if you have visited before you know I love to make the odd tag lol :0) and I was having SO much fun I thought I should go with a tag too! I have used quite a few Die cuts from Tim. But if you look at the top item you can see I have been making moulds of tim's goodies and filling those moulds with friendly plastic (FP)! And on the tag I have a wee cherub mould and got the FP out again. I also had lots of fun with the emboss folders and sand paper. Oh and you see my die cut flowers, guess what I glued on them before die cutting them? stained kitchen roll (I keep them all from my spraying exploits lol) and then when I need some coloured paper hey presto it's already there and it's already textures and soaks up all my inks (hey we have to recycle don't we?) I know you gonna have loads of fun with this grunge Monday thanks as always for you comments and visits you all keep be going. Love Dawn xx

Digi class wk 2 & 3

Hi, I forgot to post how I have been doing in my digi class with Tammy I am learning so much each week my head is literally exploding ha ha And on top of that my other class has started to, it's all about journalling & the elements I am doing this class with Effy More about this class on my other blog Journal Journey's So please pop over. And please don't forget I am now doing a challenge of my very own (still can't believe I am doing this I am totally thrilled about it) click HERE for more info on this month challenge if you fancy joining in and don't forget to grab a button ;0)

So, in the 2nd week we created a simple PDF Oh my we used so many tools I am gonna have to keep practising, I have to say though by the time  the 3rd week came around I was a little more confident and I was really pleased with my simple drawing I came up with.

Aren't my characters cute? The pussy cat is all mine and the teddy one is Tam's idea but I managed to digitally draw all this my very self. (Pats self on the back) I am really pleased with my progress and we will be doing more of a 3D style next week so I am looking forward to learning more, much more ;0) I have to say I am sure lots of you know the basics but I didn't have a clue! * whispers* to be honest I don't think computers like me much sshh. Any way if you wanted to join in Tam's class I am sure you still can, as you can down load everything and save it so you can do this all in your own time and as you can see if I can do it I think any one can ;0). Thank you for stopping by as always and leaving comments as well, Have a super weekend. Love Dawn xx

Tea Cup Tuesday 14

Today I am showing Paragon. As always I am playing along with Terri & Marther who's idea it is to have 'Tea Cup Tuesday' (TCT). Oh how I love this set, isn't it just gorgeous? I love the colour, a pale green and the pattern inside the cup and on the plates is raised to. Here are some more photos to look at;

I hope you can see from this photo how the pattern is raised ;0)

All the plates have this mark as well as the cup. It's really lovely to have the green and white as they are, to me it gives an added chicness to the set. The shape of the cup is so pleasing to the eye, and the handle is so practical yet beautiful as well. I do hope you will join in and play along, I so love looking at tea cups ;0) Love Dawn xx

Grungy Monday 14

Hello it's getting late here in UK 9.30pm. I haven't been around much because the weather has been SO wonderful, I love the sun ;0) So I have been catching up with some reading I have read four books in the last ten days really good fun to read. Any way Monday is here and I have to go and play with Linda from Studio L3 and Tim the master of grunge ;0) And this challenge was lots of fun this week especially playing with Perfect Pearls (PP) & Distress Ink Refills (DIR) so much fun and really great product!

I liked playing with the PP & DIR so much I had to do two at the same time and aren't they vibrant colours, the pigment is fab! One tag is kinda soft steam punk and the other? Well ladies and butterfly's what else is needed, so yummy ;0) You can see the backgrounds in these close ups and the resist technique works really well, so don't forget to pop along to Tims for the technique. I also did some extra stamping coloured with Copics and cut out then added to a tag (Butterfly) and on the other I added some more of Tims goodies as well as a vintage pocket watch face (enamelled) to help give different textures and 3D appearance. Thank you for stopping by, I always appreciate your comments and encouragement. Love Dawn xx

Journal Journey very first challenge

I had to share on this blog as well as my journal blog how excited I am to be starting my very first challenge! Yes me. I have been on a few Design Teams and so I kinda know what's expected and I have fell in love with journaling. I just wanted to get more involved and hopefully get more people to have a go who are perhaps scared or lack time and get others back into it. 

Here is a sneeky peak of the challenge ;0) I do hope you will pop along to Journal Journey's and join in the fun ;0) Don't forget to grab a button to so you don't forget to play on the 1st of each month. Love Dawn xx.

Grungy Monday 13

Another technique from the master Tim and the wonderful Linda of Studio3 has asked all to join in. Who am I to argue ha ha. I went a bit daft with the technique here, well I do love the alcohol ink. I have lots of colours now and just love to mix it up.

I have also used some stamps from Dylusions. I do love the products that make up the dylustions range. and you can see a close up of the colours I hope you like this some times simple is best and I think I should have stayed simple but saying that I am happy with the out come. Thank you for stopping by Love Dawn xx

Tea Cup Tuesday

Good morning. Wimbledon (Tennis) is going beautifully the weather is fab and It's Tea cup Tuesday what more do you need woo hoo. This is my newest addition to my collection. And what a beauty it is, isn't it? Some of you may recognise it as this has been shown on TCT before by Terri her self. When we did the Easter swap I was let down and Dear Terri came to the rescue. The end result of which was this beautiful Trio and a wonderful goodie bag (which I forgot to take a photo of sorry).

I think you will all have to agree that this is a fine piece to any collection and I am so happy to own it. The touch of the china is so delcate and it's so fine it's almost see through and to have survived all this time in such a wonderful condition is a credit to who ever has been looking after it all these years. Now it is my turn, and this will be used, as all good china should be. However, I will be extra careful ;0) Thank you for popping round to share by china and I hope to be seeing some beautiful china on my rounds today. Love Dawn xx

Grungy Monday

Well it's Sat morning and it's raining again (surprise) And we had such plans for today. Any way it has given me time to join in with Grungy Monday over with Linda & Tim And I always have fun making things with techniques ;0) So here is a tag full of fun & paint ;0)

There is a mixture of Crafty Individuals stamps and images as well as some Timmy goodies ;0) It's not to late to play along. You have until Sunday night ;0) I hope you like the tag. Oh and while your here I would love for you to pick up my NEW blog button for my Journal blog as I will be starting a monthly journal challenge in July. I do hope you will come and play along ;0) Love Dawn xx

Learning Digi

Hello it's Friday all ready and it's all passing so quickly, I started a digi course on Monday. I am so not a computer person. I barely manage with a blog, learning slowly as I go. Any way the new course is Here on Tam's page of classes, this is also where there is a fabby FREE class (I talk more about this on my Journal blog) so if you want to know more and see some of my examples of this course please pop across for more Info. 

Yes, so me and computers do not mix, but I thought I would be very brave and show you all just how much of a beginner I am so no laughing ;0) It really is laughable if you know anything about digi. But I want to encourage perhaps some who are scared of things like this and say, I completed all the tasks and there was a lot to learn in this first week (I am practising lots though) And if you compare this to a college course, yes you get the teacher there IRL but the course are a few £100 so I am told and this is more my pocket size and Tam doesn't do a bad job at all and so much support through the week to answer questions. Any way enough gabbing here is my very 1st piece of digi. Love Dawn xx