Shabby Chic

Well after making one card yesterday I got in the mood and made this. I love the shabby chic style too. What's a girl to do when she like so many different things? Well simple, buy more stash ha ha.  Any who I thought I would play with The Shabby Tea Room well couldn't have a more fitting card could I? lol they are wanting 'Heart' this week! and while I am at it, I thought I would play with Tuesday Taggers they would like 'Texture' and I feel I have managed this criteria as well They are also being sponsored by Tanda Stamps and I popped by to have a look and gosh they have some grat stamps too (fingers crossed). And why not play with Sir Stampalot for a 2nd time this month, and they want 'Punches' in the month of June (not literal fisty cuffs I hasten to add lol).

Want a better look? here's a close up! I covered some plain chip board with CS and DP and then inked them up and added some gems & pearls don't you just adore the ribbon? Oh heaven for Esty buys, but it cost more in postage than it did for the ribbon! so a real luxury but it was very worth it I hope you think so too!

Mmmm so how did I make it? well it took a while but I think it was worth it. I love the feel of this card (no idea who it's for though ha ha ) these days I tend only to make a card when I need one as I have 100s (I do not exaggerate) and I still haven't got round to doing a craft fair yet! And I would just hate to give them away at £1 each as you don't seem to get alot these days for this kind of stuff and I would rather keep them. Any way I cot some CS then added some DPs then some more CS stamped it with a lovely script stamp (delish) The I got the sewing machine out and added the vintage lace. Then i got the cuttle Bug out and made a frame and dry embossed it. phew! I told you it took a while to make lol

Well I then stuck it all together and took some photos in the most beautiful sunshine, it's so sunny I hope you can see the cards detail ok. I hope your having  safe fun in the sun, and you enjoyed my card, don't forget to pop around to the DTs they do work hard to give inspiration in these challenges don't they? and if you can leave a comment and I can hopefully get round to your blog too! Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Stamp, Stampin Up (SU) french script. Design Papers (DPs) Mellisa Frances & Crafty Individuals. Card stock SU Ribbon http://www.etsy.com/shop/MemrieMare if you would like to have a looksey. Cuttlebug EF & Die cut, Nesties. Punch, Marther Stewart.

Tag & Card

Afternoon Blog Land. We have sun today, it actually feels like a beautiful Spring day I am inspired to work. (although I am also inspired to go out) mmmm what to do? I have a wonderful delivery from LB Crafts I orderd some stamps from Oxford Impressions I love there stamps but they are quite hard to get hold of in the UK as not many stock them, now LB do stock them (but they are not on their online shop) Thats why I have put both links up (they should both pay me commision, I am not connected in any way to either company lol) so if you like some OI stamps have a look get the name then call up LB and order over the phone if they are in stock they are super quick! if not they will call you when they are. So I have two super new OI plates Marie Antoinette & and Alice plate now they are so much bigger than I was expecting so It will take me a while to cut up and mount them (only have enough mount for one plate, disaster!) flippin heck So sorry for waffling, on to my tag!

The tag is called 'The Works' (I'll explain later) it's for Tuesday Taggers with anything as long as it's a tag! and Tag It On (TIO)  With the Title 'In the City'.Over at Something Completely Different (SCD) this weeks letter is B and I have used lots of 'Blue' on this tag. And finally Timbroscrapmania This is a new challenge blog on their 2nd week and this week the theme is 'Distressing'.

I really enjoyed making this tag. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the results too! I have used my own template for the tag and then some cream cardstock. I used the wonderful THs DIs and got to work. Then I cut up a Christmas stamp so I could use the buildings alone (that was hard to do my poor stamp!) stamped then I got some of the TH sprockets & Gears covered them in versamark then black stazon ink stamped & heated. This is to signify the working city and that sometimes you yourself feel like a machine work sleep work sleep. I wanted to put another sentiment on at one point 'Work to live not live to work' but went against that in the end. I kept thinking of the song by Queen from the album 'The Works' Title of the tag.

In the top left hand corner is a small (moon) clock that work is ruled by time now and even if your not in the city you are on call with mobiles and e-mail and time is of the essence, hence also the clocks on the right hand side. I suppose I wanted to say with this tag don't become a machine remember what's important in the REAL world don't get caught up in the have to have the big house the flash car etc or all you will do is work and have lots of material things but your children will grow and resent you you won't know them, they won't know you! they may well have the extra lessons ballet, karate, or what ever else but a simple picknic and a wonderful few hours with you is what they really want. I could waffle for ages about the wonderful picknics we had at our local park the kids still remember them.

On to the card, The Play Date Cafe I missed the dead line for the PDC yesterday and I really did love the colours and thought my Match Box would be a bit different for their challenge lol but I was LATE well not this week I have the colours in this card. Totally Gorjuss theme is texture lots of this with the Distress glitter and embossing. Ginger Snaps Creations (GSC) is focusing on Growth this month and this week it's 'The good Earth' I had lots of fun looking at photos of the Earth on google but went with a tree in the end no trees no Earth!The Wednesday Stamper (TWS) Are also focusing on 'Trees' this week.  And although it's a simple card I quite like the end result.

Here is a close up of the tree on the card. I started with Cream card stock used some Stampin' Up inks in various colours, Used a sponge to get the distress look, stamped my tree and then used Disterss stickles. It's a simple card you could use for many occasions I am thinking Birthday, Thank You etc I do hope you like todays offerings I am going to be busy creating so may be gone a day or two I will still be popping to your blogs though looking at your fabby work. I have some more new followers you are most welcome and I have also started following a few more blogs so have a look and see if you can find a blog you haven't tried before you may find some gems, well I certainly think so. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Stamps, Paper Artsy, Crafty Indiviuals. Card stock, SU. Inks SU, stazon, white gelly roll pen & Tim Holts DI Ranger. SU eyelet & Ribbon. Making Memories mini Alphabets.

Days gone by (Spring)

Morning, another day closer to the heat of the SUMMER!!!! (I hope it's chucking it down here!) But for now a tag for Spring! This will cover a few challenges today. Tag It On the theme is an 'alternitive Spring' Ginger Snap Creations is to 'Take on a tutorial' Tag Tuesday is 'Stuck on collage' and Tuesday Taggers is 'Bugs' Oh and TT prize this week is with The Craft Barn Which last time I won! and have now recieved my goodies so fingers crossed you never know.

I did this tag with all these challenges in mind. TIO Alternitive Spring this is such a sweet image and not yr general daffs and eggs etc so I hope this will be OK GSC I have used a couple of tutorials. One from Tim Holtz Book 'Compendium of Curiosities this is first putting down colour Stamping/embossing over it using clear EP then adding more colour then taking off the CEP with the heat from iron. I then used one of GSC TT Image transfers here I have seen it some where before but I had forgotten all about it and it was really easy to follow great effect! You can see the 'Bug' for TT it's a dragon fly used s couple of  times in the back ground and the roses are sticky ones I have called my Tag/Collage 'Days Gone By (Spring)' as it's got that innocence of childhood, long since gone for me lol. I do hope you like my effort for today I did enjoy makng it why not try one or two  techniques that you haven't tried before on yr next project? I really enjoyed this and will be having a go at some more soon. Enjoy the rest of your day, Love Dawn xx

Oh I just want to thank kath as I had new neighbours move in a couple of days ago and I was with out a card, popping on Kath's blog as I often do I saw a great card HERE and I lifted it (of course I would never copy a persons work exactly) so mine is a wee bit different not sure it's a good as Kaths but it really got me out of a tight spot. I made it completely from scraps (again) and I hope the new neighbours like it, as soon as it was done I popped it through the letter box, thanx again Kath xxx

Oh if you are looking for the winner of the Blogaversary candy click HERE for the lucky winner!!

Items Used:-Stamps, Paper Artsy & Craft Stamper. Image Katzelcraft (Available at the Craft Barn). Inks, Distress Inks Tim Holtz Ranger. Flowers Hobby Craft. Tag Tim Holtz. Fibers, Stash. DP K&Co.

I'm a GDT member at Tuesday Taggers And aTrinchie too!

I was so thrilled to be asked to be a GDT over at Tuesday Taggers every one that wins has the opportunity, how cool. The theme this week is Masquerade/Jesters I went with the Masquerade I just kept thinking of the beautiful masks worn and thought I would like to make one or two ;0) I have had an idea I can use this for a challenge this week too! Over at the Three Muses the challenge this week is 'incognito' and Marilyn is most certainly that, I hope you like it.

Here is a close up of the mask on the card I guess you recognise Marilyn too! I have used this stamp many times but still no idea where it came from. There are lots of stickles to make the mask come alive! So what did I do? Well I stamped Marilyn on some vanilla paper with stazon. Drew a mask free hand on some card stock, used lots of Glimmer Mists (GM) you should see how they sparkle IRL. Then I used the stickles to make patterns on the masks. used some foil card stock put through the Cuttlebug EF then some yummy Basic Grey paper, black card stock too! then lots of sticky dots (like brad heads) I even gave her a diamond necklace (More stickles)

I thought I would (as it's TTs) make a tag to go along with the card, this time a change of mask and feather! but same back ground & paper. Done the same as the card only different colours. I stappled the mask to Marilyn with a feather. Pearl necklace this time with some pearl glue paint, distressed the edges of the tag,  that's about it. It's very nerve racking being  a GD as you don't know what any one else has created and you just hope that yours is ok and doesn't look too sad next to there all too often amazing creations so I am honored to be amongst them this week I hope you like this, so do pop along and have a go I really enjoyed this theme. 

On to my Trinchie for Something Completely Different I love this challenge every month something fun and every week a great theme. I had trouble with the theme 'MEN' I found this stamp at the last minuet as I have no stamps with a man on then this came to my rescue (I have ordered a couple now) I wish you could see it IRL the colours are wonderful with Glimmer Mist (GM)

I only just taken these (Late at night) so it's hard to see well. I got some white card stock couple of GM then dried and then some DI stamped and then some cream CS and stamped the image cut out and added to the Trinchie. I bought these postage stamps ages ago (honest must of had them over a year!) never new what to do with them other than I liked them and it's perfect for this isn't it?

I don't know how I came up with the saying it just popped in my head, after many I just coudln't use for one reason or another, then woosh and I thought yep! my thoughts exactly. How uncomfortable these must have been to ride and why on earth so high? I know some bikes were high so you could put the oil lamps out at night but this was strictly for recreation/getting around BARMY! ;0) I hope you like this fun little post and thanx again for stoppin by have a great week and pop by again soon for a nosey and a chat. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Stamps, Marilyn, Crafty Individuals & Habbico. DP, Basic grey. Card stock, foil, SU & Stash. Glimmer Mist. Stickles, distress Inks. Makin memories, mini alphas. Postage stamp, e-bay. Ribbon & Feathers stash.

A day with Tim!

 

Morning I am shedualing this post, as grandson will be coming and I don't know if I will get to play much on Tues & Wed. So here I am on Mon. am with fingers crossed. A day with Tim, (not him self) but sure felt like it going through loads of techniques all day and then putting some of those practiced techniques in to a piece of work and this is it!

I thought it would be a shame not to enter this into a challenge so I thought of Tuesday Taggers  as there theme is swirls and curls and I have used a swirly stamp and they are being sponsored this week by one of my fave online shops (I know I have a few lol) but Crafty Individuals have some great stamps and the company is very generous I have recommended them before because of their great service. Now it just so happens I won last weeks prize, how cool is that? so the chances of me winning again are pretty slim lol but one can try and it's always fun to enter isn't it lol

I have done the flower before, but here it is again, and if you look at all the butterflys you will notice that they have been punched from crackled DP, I love the effect and of course some DI smudged (Dawn's techniqcal term) in to show the crackle effect.

I have taken a grunge key and stamped it with clear EP  and heated re-inked to get this rusty effect with a darker DI. I also put some alcohol ink on the jump ring to age it too.

Another close up of the Butterflys all crackled, just thought, I should of turned the last to photos round lol. I have had a ball with Tim's book it does feel like kinda havin' him there guiding you through every step, very good instructions and accompany photos.

The final photo bet you thought we wouldn't get there lol. You may notice the clear EP frame which had been done when there was only a very light back ground  of DI I have added more and more on top then whiped the excess off the top of the EP and so the frame still looks like the origional light colour, I know most of us have done a lot of these techniques before but just in case you haven't I am letting you know ;0)  Well that was the last photo, better get some things done in prep for the cutie (James) to arrive. may with a bit of luck get some more crafting done today so I can get another post shedualed. Thank you for stopping by and any comment you may leave thank you. Love Dawn xx

Items Used: - too many! Tim Holts, DI, alcohol inks, Idiology distress stickles, distress crackle, Grunge, & stamp. Nestabilites, Marthar Stewart, Making Memories DP & Ribbon. Anna Gryffin Stamps. Think thats it!

More ATCs & another delivery woo hoo!

 

More ATCs  And there are a few challenges between them. First is Stampin' Sisters in Christ. Which this week is about time, as is Something Completely Different which is for this month ATCs and this weeks theme is time. I am also going to enter this in for Allsorts which this week is a lable tag or ticket. They are the challenges for the ATC on the RIGHT. Now the challenges for the LEFT. Dragons Dream is a new site for me but this week she would like to see Tigers (my fave cat of all) or something tiger related. Tuesday Taggers is getting messy (photos to follow he he). You are also asked for a chance to win a prize to include a link for The Craft Barn, I have bought GM and lots of stuff from these so I don't mind recomending them.

The above two photos are close ups of the ATC  to the right on the first photo. (still with me?) hope so lol. Done lots of things on this I used TH stamp on acitate, stapled the ticket and took a clip from SU and used alcohol ink to distress it. Lots of Glimmer Mist and DI, I used sprockets & gears as masks, wiped the ink off them and put them back in the packet lol.

I love the texture that this stamp from Anna has given lots. Loads of GM at first and then some Stazon on the stamp and vola tiger stripes, and I thought as the Tigers are so endangered (some kind of tigers are actually extinct in the wild and off the face of the planet) hard to believe isn't it? So I thought the quote was very apt good 'ol Shakespeare!

 

I have been much messyer (if there is such a word lol) but there it is lots of mess and ink n stuff all over the place. Thanx for looking, and any comments. Love Dawn xx

EDITED TO ADD: this mornings arrivals woo hoo

 

 

Aren't these babies yummy!

 

 And more of Tims NEW stamps!

Items Used: Stamps, See Ds, SU, Anna Gryffin,Crafty Individuals & Tim Holtz.Glimmer Mists, Distress Inks. Making Memores, Tiny Alphas.Alcohol Inks, Acitate TH Ticket & Sprocket & Gears.

Up up and away in my beautiful balloon

I thought I would make a male card for this stamp, I really love it but I have no idea what manufacturer it's from, as I bought it off e-bay for a £1 so if you know the brand do let me know. I have decided to enter this for SSIC & Tuesday Taggers, there challenge this week is the theme 'TIME' so many options. I have a clock stamp, and clock charms too, but I thought this fit really well. I don't think there is a prize on offer for TT but do stop by and have a look at the DT if nothing else ,as they are super! I am happy with the out come as I don't often do male cards and I do find them a little difficult.

Here is a close up of the image, I have paper pieced the balloon wioth DPs but i had a lot of playing with more new DI for the back ground, if you look carefully I even coloured the people in the balloon with copics. Thank you for looking and keep your comments comming I really love reading them and appreciate the time you spend here. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Image e-bay. Card stock, SU. Ribbon, Hobby House. Stamped sentiment, studio alphabet. DP, SU, Making Memories & My Minds Eye. Inks, Tim Holtz DI. Copics. Marther Stewart Punch.

Love is in the air!

Hello blog land, I hope I find you all well today. I have been getting messy and I LOVE the results. I had so much fun making this I really felt creative and I hope you like it half as much as I do.

I am really hoping Hubby and I can get to Paris this year so I am doing lots of things that remind me of France. Here is the first close up. The back ground, I hope you notice is a French book (I bought from a second had book shop) for a £1 I tore strips up then got some PVA glue added some water and started to paste it on this lovely canvass from Crafty Individuals.

The gold items are from a pkt of buttons I thought they went really well with the French theme. I stamped some images with Tim Holtz (TH) distress ink (DI) then embossed with some more gold EP on top of the tea DI only in highlighted places, to give a haphazard look.

There has been lots of distressing done to the papers with the DI. Some chip board that I no longer recognize have been altered beyond all description lol

I do hope you like this I have decided to enter it for a challenge with BTC & G whose theme this month is LOVE. Also the Allsorts challenge is destress with buttons & bow , the gold items are buttons (although not a typical ones) and bow well my handsome fello is wearing one will that count? I don't know I hope so, as I forgot to put my burgandy little bow in the corner B4 photographing. Simon Says theme is also LOVE. Speaking of loveTuesday Taggers is also love is all around, so I am popping this into there challenge too! Also I am sure there are lots more challenges I could enter this in for as love is a great theme but this will have to do. Thank you for looking. Love Dawn xx