A shoe fit for a very good friend!

I was amazed by all the visits again yesterday thank you for stopping by (I did about half of all the entry's but I will defo get back to all that commented yesterday if I haven't already thank you. Now I have a lovely find to share. I have found an amazing template over at Terri's (it pays to play tea cup Tuesdays he he) so make sure you pop along for the video TT if you fancy ago at one of these gorgeous shoes. I saw it and I knew a Friend who would love it and you can make it big enough to hold a few gifts too!

This is it ready to go full of lace and hand made goodies for the special lady Lynne wehave agreed to do this swap for each other and I am so thrilled. One of the reasons I like blog land so much you get to make some fabby friends.

Now I have made some buttons from polymer clay with script stamps on and I know Lynne like me Love's anything French style so this shoe and the Eiffel tower were a must along with some vintage and new lace/ribbon for her to play with. she had been making lots to do with birds and so I added some eggs that she can paint! and I am happy to say I have had a lovely e-mail she is so happy with it and my little swap will be in the post soon (we gave each other until the end of June so I was a little early, she has far more commitments than me ha ha) honestly if you don't know Lynne pop along you will love love love her stuff, just make sure you stop by and visit me again ha ha.

here is close up of the front of the shoe. Now in the first photo you can see the heel I made to go with it, talk about tricky it took for ever! but I was happy with it in the end. I have used some yummy DBL sided DP and a beautiful cubic zircon Crystal slide for the ribbon I knew I had to use it for this very special friend. I really enjoyed making this for some one who I knew would love and appreciate the work put into it and it was a pleasure for such a lovely person.  I hope you like my share with you today. Don't forget to pop along to Terri's for the template and to Lynne's to see their wonderful work (I kid you not you will love both these sites) Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Design Paper (DP) Kay & Co. Stamps, Oxford Impressions & Stampin Up! Moulded Items, Polymer clay Emboss powder, ink and Liqid clay. Flowers , Hobby Craft and Orchard crafts. Ribons various.

WOYWW 55

Hello I am very late today in joining you all. Last week I didn't play because my Dita died (so sad sniff) but I said I wouldn't talk about this earlier this week as it's too depressing. So on to the wonderful WOYWW with the lovely Julia. I have been playing with my gel again and UV light, some beads and old tea spoons. You may also notice my new toy arrived today oh goodie (this is a very early B'day gift from hubby as it's not until July and I can have it now so cool ) my melt pot!

Here is a close up of the gel I use (I only mention this as quite a few asked about this when I made my bird shrine) Here It sets like glass. Only it's now so sunny here I have turned off the UV and put them out side. On the left you can see an oval pendant with beads hanging. from it. It is now a magnet! (steampunk style!) this will be in a later post!

I am also keeping my promise and showing you another draw, this has so many bits in it from scrabble tiles, moulds to butterflys to watch parts etc so much cool stuff in here enlarge pictures to have a closer look if you like. I am going to try and get round a few desks now but the sun and the melt post along with a very long sewing list is also clamoring for my attention ha ha. I also have another new follower yay! and she is lovely as all of you are.  Thank you for your continued support and wonderful bloggy comments. Love Dawn xx

Tea cup Tuesday and a glitzy skull

Look at these boxes, I saw these in a shop some years ago and I had to have a look inside and this is what I found!

These are my wonderful teacups for this Tuesday (and not a spot of china in sight!) and I adore them so much so I have never used them. I must of had these a few years now and for an amazing price too! they just look so 50s (to me any way) the colours and the box they came in. They're just made to look that way as they were new in a shop and the same wonderful delight was found in the next box!

I was going to a wedding and I bought them for the gift however, getting them home I loved them so much I bought a set for my self too! again unbelievable value (I do use these all the time) I also have one of those original tan baking bowls. I just love them, aren't they great colours? and the boxes too are just wonderful so this was my little share with you this week I do hope you like them. Don't forget to pop over to Terry's & Marther's for tea cup tuesday This has become one of my pleasures of the week, going to see lots of wonderful tea cups and so many too! I didn't realise how popular this little habit of mine was lol it seem's I am not the only one. 

On to my crafty treat for the day now.

Over at A Skull a Day There is a skull a day shown (not my usual cup of tea ha ha) However, not horrid at all. I found a freebie on there, how to make this skull. So I thought I would share one I made with you. Skulls don't have to be a gruesome thing do they? No as you can see here I have made a very pretty skull. I coloured the card stock with copics then added lots of pearls and gems and I also added a tongue ha ha. Pop by and collect this template it's will come in handy come October I am sure. You could enlarge it and make some giant ones to hang out side, or keep them small and make a garland of skulls, I enjoyed making mine .Hope you liked my little shares of tea & skulls (very extreme lol) Love Dawn xx

Editied to add direct link to the skull template HERE

Fathers Day card

Hello Newbie followers it seams every time I come to post I have new followers (HOW COOL IS THAT?) I am so thrilled you think it's worth popping by time after time (especially as it's been a little sad here of late, we'll say no more on that subject, still getting used to the fact she isn't here any more) and still you are joining my journey I am totally surprised every time some one becomes a follower, like people find what I do interesting is really so cool. I am so grateful for all of you, thank you. Well it's Friday evening and the cricket's on and then the England match later (I'm not  complaining) he only ever watches FB when the world cup is on and even then usually only the England matches, nope my hubby is more a rugby/cricket fan and I can so live with that! So, here I am, guilt free at the crafty table in my kitchen (craft room) ha ha Having made my darling hubby a card from his grand son for Fathers day (already done one from his sons) I may just stick my name on this one too lol. 

There are a couple of challenges I would like to enter this card into as well. There is the lovely Hels who would like us to think of numbers this week over at the Sunday Stamper and a prize too! so pop over. And the wonderful Stampin' Sisters in Christ would like a male/fathers day card. Do pop to these wonderful challenges if you can, there is some super talent and love waiting for you at both these challenges.

And it wouldn't be a post from me with out a close up now would it? lol This is a very simple card (and Quick! if you have forgot or if yr short on time) I have used some wonderful male DP and distressed the edges. A little stamping and a few little bits added and done! I hope you like this little offering. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Card Stock, Stampin' Up! (SU) Design Paper (DP) Graphic45. Inks,  Stayzon, Distress inks Tim Holtz, Ranger. Ribbon (tape measure) ? Stamps, Paper Artsy. Ticket, Tim Holtz.

ATC Swap! and a big THANK YOU

Hello my beloved bloggy friends, thank you so much for all your lovely words for myself and my family in regard for DITA it's unbelievably harder than I though it would be only having her a few years, But she isn't here and I miss her terribly and your word were so helpful I had a good cry (crying now too sniff) But I won't talk about it again to you all but THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Hello fellow crafters,  have something to show you (at last he he) over at Artist Trading Club There is a new swap for JUNE.  And it's dresses or dress up ;0) oh and I had alot of fun making these, I hope you can see in the photos ok.  I couldn't see when I took the photos the sun was SO BRIGHT! And am I loving this weather or what? oh yes I am, so very very much (sorry for all you HF Suffers) but I love the sun. I don't sit out in it baking by any means but I just love the fact the sun is in the sky giving much needed heat and the sky is such a beautiful blue in our corner of the world.

I also wanted to have a wee bit of a theme making the dresses, so I thought I would go for  ' A dress for all seasons' the first is Spring! You can click and enlarge the photos I think. So I followed the Tutorial (TT) by Margret for the back ground to put the dresses in. Just pop along to the link Here and you will find the instructions. Really very simple to follow and I love the end result don't you?

Here is Summer! as you can see, I have basically done them all the same. I have made the back grounds the got the sewing machine out stitched in appropriate colours then added some distress inks to match round the edges to give a softer appearance. each had a stamped corner and a dress added.

Here's Autumn

And finally Winter.

I do hope you have enjoyed a look at these, and if you are in the swap hope you liked the sneaky peak to what you may get this month. It's not too late to join  in if you fancy having a go. you just have to have sent them in by the end of the month. I hope to get these sent to Chris tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by, oh I almost forgot (how rude of me) welcome to my new followers, you are so very welcome to share my crafty journey and I hope I can share in yours to, so leave a comment. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Stamps Oxford Impressions (Marie Antoinette plate). Design Papers (DPs) My Minds Eye, K&Co and Laura Ashley. Ribbons, stash. Inks, Tim Holtz DI, Ranger. Gems, stash.

RIP DITA

Dita our rescue dog of just over three yrs died yesterday in the garden peacefully on the grass in the sun. (this was a shock but I am happy it was this way, just old age I guess) She was a fantastic dog/companion we took her all over with us. This is her on her first day at her new home and away from what ever traumas she had previously suffered and below are her retirement years I don't want to spoil yr day. I couldn't talk about it, I am just too upset. I just had to share this with you I hope you don't mind. Love Dawn xx

You will be missed  DITA ?-15/06/10

Tea cups and ATCs

Morning, I hope your well. I managed to stop by a few blogs yesterday, gosh I have missed lots and I saw some stunning work of all types. I thought I would join Linda this week as she is starting a new Tim Holtz Technique Monday over the next few weeks. I have to say I bought the book and did almost all the techniques in a day I was that thrilled with the book and how easy it was to use. Any way Linda is hosting a Tim challenge each Monday, and there are prizes to. So why not pop along for more info.

Here is a close up of this weeks technique, (water stamping) it's bleaching with out the bleach, I normally share how I create things so you can all have a go to but we have been asked not to for these challenges, as all the challenges come directly from Tim's book. I do love to share but I see what they meen for the challenge so if you don't have the book I suggest you get one (there is a chance to win one on Linda's blog this week) it's worth every penny and it is a book you can come back to over and over again. (I do hate not sharing though). thanx for stopping by. Love Dawn xx

And it is Tuesday so I thought I would share another Tea Cup Oh how I love these, although I haven't seen any good ones for over a month now and I am running out of good ones to show you. I have to say I enjoyed all the visits I made last week, and there were some oh so special ones to see but the butterfly set was exceptional and especially as it was bought for such a great price for the whole set, I almost dare nit show mine after the beautiful goodies I saw last week, but here goes.

Isn't this so sweet I have six with saucers and side plates too! and all for £3 so I couldn't not get them I do love the flower on these (Poppy's I think) such delicate little things.

I had lots of request for the bottom of the cups so I have started to include them now, I have no idea if they are valuable as I am not really a collector, just some one who really likes tea cups, they don't have to be special I just have to like them and then they become special to me he he all my love to you, oh and if you would like to see some more darling cups why not pop along to Terry's and add your TC&S or just drool over all the wonderful delights that you can find there, I hope they don't mind my little addition ;0) Love as always Dawn xx

Items Used:- Clear embossing ink, Distress Ink from Ranger. Card stock. Stamps, Tim Holtz.

Monday Monday

Looks good to me...... Well the weather is set to improve for the week, sun for all the UK woo hoo. Hello fellow bloggers I have been ill and not crafting much however, I am working on a project that I can not share with you as yet as it is for a fellow crafter but I assure you once I send it off and she has received it I will let you all in on it. I am sure lots of you do the same too. I also want to say a big thank you to my new followers. I am so pleased so many of you are leaving wonderful comments too, so wonderful to stop by your blogs and share in your obvious talent.

Now I have three sons, and my baby has almost left high school and has had his Prom  last week. I thought I would share a few photos I took of this handsome young man with you all so here he is my baby, Matthew.

Now this sixteen year old is my baby only 6'3 good prospects and too yummy for words lol but then I would say that as I am his mum ha ha

Too cool for school. So to all you mums who have a girl and are starting high school this year START SAVING NOW! I swear, it was like forty wedding days when I dropped my Matthew off. I could say a lot on this subject but I don't want to be called a party pooper! I think it is important to celebrate but really American prom isn't until after college (about 18yrs) and although I agree they should have a celebration of finishing school I am not so sure I would have gone this far, is that just me? am I being a party pooper?

So my Grandson is back with his mum safe and sound, my time is my own again ye ha. and I am feeling much better this week so far, so  I am going to wish you all a fantastic week enjoy the weather don't forget the sun cream, so many people burnt after Saturdays yummy weather, and thank you to my new followers and a BIG thank you to all that comment your all super. Love Dawn xx

WOYWW 53 and some sewing!

Good morning, Hasn't the weather in the UK been Awful? well it has where I live the rain didn't take a breath yesterday at all! I am up before Julia this morning, and there is blue skyes which is lovely, we wanted to go to the zoo yesterday but I was not having a good day and the weather was horrendous anyway, but looks like a good day to go but I have the hospital in the afternoon so that kibosh's that idea maybe tomorrow before the little man has to go home. Well Hubby was so tired after yesterday I managed to get up with James at 6am. This is not un-known for me as my sleep patterns are some what irregular. I have an appointment at the hospital this afternoon (more questions and tests I assume) Any way,  I haven't been round the tea cups from yesterday (haven't had time) but I will over the weekend, I love looking at them and some ladies make such an effort (they have a proper English Tea ready for your visit) so sweet. So although I haven't been blog hopping I did get time to take a photo or two this morning While James was eating his crumpets.

Now my desk! Rather empty isn't it? That is because I was too poorly or busy with Grand son to do anything. And he is now happily brayering the table sat on my knee babbling away (so cute!) so I have to hurry. Oh if you want to know more or have a look at lots of other more productive desks ha ha then pop along to Julia's

This is one of my cupboard's with lots of inner draws. Each one has different things in I really would like a better system but this is all I have at the moment unless I can get alot more shelves! So here goes (sorry it's a wee bit blurred!

This as you maybe able to tell is my 'Punch Draw' and also some  more that I have on a shelf! now you can click on these to have a good nosey most are Stampin' Up! and Marther Stewart I find them the most reliable. I am sure many of you have far more than this I also have a few nesties but they are in another draw! for another day lol.

Now over the weekend, I bought a pattern and some beautiful material I have been wanting to make a bag for ages, it had to be a simple one though! now on the pattern this didn't have a lining so I improvised and added one! I am so not the best machinist but I have created the odd garment etc so here you go! 

Shawn my middle son took this photo I managed to do some clever editing and cut all of me out of the photo ha ha I even messed with the colour a bit so I look like I have a nice tan (my arms and legs are like milk bottles ;0)  me and computers don't mix so this is a huge achievement which I am pleased with (there is hope for the old girl yet!) I said it was a simple one I made this complete from start to finish on Sunday after church. I hope you like this today and It will be a while but I hope to get round a few WOYWWers later this evening and probably over the weekend too! Now I do hope you like my sharing time and I do hope to get some thing done later this evening when little man goes to sleep (I have a list as long as your arm of things to do!) Thank you all for your get well wishes, (I get used to this it's a way of life now for me) but I thankyou for your prayers and understanding. Love Dawn xx


Items Used:- Pattern Simplicity 2830 BIN 10 (£3.89) Material No Not Cath Kidson but from hobby craft £10.99 a meter and the lining was (£6.99) a meter. So no it wasn't a cheap make and I don't think I could sell them and make my fortune lol but I hope the infor is helpful Dawn xx

Tea cup Tuesday

It's that time again and I am very late today gone 5pm oh mt but I didn't want to miss showing and looking at the beautiful tea cup over at Terri's I was stuck on this blog as she was in Paris (a dream of mine I am trying to save up) and she is just a super crafter how also loves her tea cups like many of us.

Now this little cup may not look like much but I love it and I use this as my every day one as it's a nice size not too small and although yellow is not a fave colour of mine I love the flowers and how they are painted on this C&S so pretty. I have more than one of these and yes another chatiry find (most of them are) no craftyiness to show yu my ME is in full swing as well as my Fibromyalgia and I have my Grandson with  us, poor hubby is working hard to look after us both! so bye for now have a super week. Love Dawn xx

Bird Shrine

Oh My It's Sunday already, and I'm picking up the little man tomorrow for another week of joy and exertion lol. I am hoping to do some crafting but I don't know how much or if I will be posting much this week so please forgive me if I am not around much this week. I will get round to a few peoples blogs if I hope though (love your creations). I have a lovely tea cup set ready for Tuesday though so hope you pop back for that. But for now a shrine of sorts.

I hope you like this, I have had this frame for about a month and I wanted to do something with it  but didn't quite know where to go with it. Then I saw the challenge Alter it Monthly and I thought another opportunity to use this stamp set I hope your not too board of it. Having made it and looking at the DT I think it also fits in to the colour scheme for The Play Date Cafe Which this week is lemon, pale peach and peach. And the lovely Hel's from Sunday Stamper Is looking for letters (hope my letters at the bottom count he he)

I am sure you can imagine the work that went into this little creation. First this is just a chip board frame/shadowbox so it was primed with two coats then it was painted and then it had distress crackle on it, I love the effect I then put some DI into the cracks to help it show up. I made the eggs and nest from sculpey clay which was then baked and then coloured with copics. I found this cute chick and colored it with copics too (too much of a bright yellow so he had to be toned down a little ;0).

You can see the crackle effect better here I think. The sign was stamped with DI on embossed DP then I had some UV gel and let it set under a UV light, this looks like a piece of glass now and I am very happy with the result this new found gel gives me, it's even better then glossy accents (you know how much I love this stuff right?) and dries so much quicker under the UV lamp.

I used the same gel here too! This is some DP cut out, I have added ribbon and attached it to the bottom like a hanging pendulum, but it also makes sense with the chip board letters too!

'Life Time in a box' is the name i have given this piece. If you think of the eggs the chick and then the mother bird watching over them all, I am really happy with it. I also stamped the label's and cut them out distressed and coloured them attached some string and added the letters as you can see above.

I wanted to give you a closer look at the inside. I have stamped some feathers with feather images, and also scavenges some bark and more feathers and added them to this little box of life! I really like the added feather to the stamped image of the mother bird. You can see the chick how it had had it's added colour  and the detail in the eggs, I hope you feel it has the nest feel and you have enjoyed looking at this, as I have enjoyed making this. It took almost a week with drying time (lots of coast of paint on the box/frame) and to come up with the ideas but I feel it works well and was worth it. as I said earlier I will hopefully be working on some projects through the week in between looking after James (my grandson) so I may not be around much but I am sure I will still find time to visit some of your blogs and wonderful work as you are all so inspiring. Love Dawn xx

 I have also been given this rather different award by the lovely Anesha she is so inspiring, if you haven't go pop over to see her she is a very talented lady. Now the rules mmm quite difficult. You have to tell 6lies and one truth!

• I am a millionaire
• I am not happily married!
• I hate animals
• I have way to much stash!
• I love all the comments I receive
• I dislike the sun
• I have swam the channel

So which one it the TRUTH only one now the rest are big fat porkys (although I have to give you a hint I wish the top one was true lol)

I also have to award this to 7 other people and let them know (well I will have to do this later as i am of to church and pray for forgiveness for the 6 lies I just told lol) see you later and  will pass out the award to 7 of you and you will have to play liar liar to!

So my seven are:- Lynn, Irit, Hilde, Lorraine, Barbara, Viola and Linda. All these women are amazing and have fantastic blogfuls of inspiration so give them a visit. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:-  Frame, Twiddlebitz shadow frame  Eggs & Nest, Sculpey clay. Paint, Laura Ashley and Distress Crackle Paint Ranger. Design Paper (DP) My minds eye & Graphic 45. Distress Inks (DI) Crackle glaze Tim Holtz (Ranger) Stamps, Stampington & Co. Letters ? Ribbon, Stash.