Alpha Challenge - Last Two Pages!

Well firstly, I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and I would like to wish you a Happy New Year!  I hope 2014 brings you lots of happiness and smiles!  This is also a perfect opportunity to thank you for all your support during 2013 - your visits and comments make me so happy and give me so much encouragement  - it means so very much!

 Anyway, its the last two letters of the Alpha Challenge over at The Craft Barn. The letters are 'X' and 'I' so I chose Xmas and Icon.  I have also added photo's of the cover and a view of the completed journal.

X - Xmas

I - Icon

Cover

Complete Album

Thank you to The Craft Barn for helping me to step outside of my comfort zone with this Challenge.  I had never done an Art Journal page before and I have had such fun this year and am really pleased with what I have achieved.    It has been wonderful to see all my fellow entrants work too - there have been some truly stunning creations! Pop over and have a look if you have time, you can't fail to be impressed - I feel such a novice compared to others work!   I wonder what next years challenge will be?   Sorry this is such a long post.  Thank you so much for visiting.  Enjoy the rest of the holidays and take care. Christine xx

Here is a quick run down of the products used:
Stamps - Tree Impression Obsession, snowflakes Crafter's Companion Let it Snow.  Letters SassafrassLass Hombre and Fishtails - Crafterwork Card small letters. Circus Letters are IndigoBlu. Forever Friends by Do Crafts numbers. I don't know the make of the Marilyn Monroe stamp but its clear.  All black Stamping is Archival and the Distress Inks used are Peacock Feathers, Shaded Lilac, Seedless Preserves and Squeezed Lemonade. Kaleidacolour inkpad Spectrum.  Tim Holts Rays Stencil, White and Purple glitter and White Seambinding.

Merry Christmas!

Well its Christmas Day tomorrow so I would like to wish you and your families a wonderful, fun filled Christmas holidays!  I have only managed to make a couple of Christmas cards this year but I thought I would share this one with you.

Its a very simple card using wooden die cuts, glitter, paper, a stamp and Kraft Card.  With Darren still being poorly and also time spent with my gorgeous new Granddaughter Freya, I haven't been crafting or blogging at all - I am so sorry!  Will try and visit you all over Christmas.  I appreciate you sticking with me - it means so much!  I will try and do better next year.  Once again, have a wonderful Christmas.  Take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'S'

The letter 'S' is the challenge over at the Craft Barn so I went for 'Skeleton'.

I have been waiting for a reason to use these stamps which are from a Company called Recollections.  I am more used to creating girlie or pretty pages so this was a challenge for me!  I used Pumice Stone, Brushed Corduroy and Antique Linen Distress Inks along with Coffee Glimmer Mist with Crafters Workshop Harlequin Stencil and Sheena Aging Beautifully stamp set for the background.  The letters are an old clear alphabet set, I can't remember what make.  The black stamping is Archival Ink and I just love the quote! Please pop over to the Craft Barn to see the other fab entries and Design Team pages.  My last page got chosen in the top five - that is three times I have made the top five of the Challenge - I can't believe it - I am so pleased!  Apart from the occasional card, my pages are the only craft I am managing at the moment.  I even had to buy my Christmas cards yesterday which I really wasn't too pleased about!  Sometimes circumstances just get in the way, never mind - hopefully I will be able to make up for it next year.  I hope you are all having a good week.  Thank you so much for visiting me - I am so pleased to receive your comments.  I will get round to visiting you when I can.  Take care.  Christine

Alpha Challenge 'Q'

The Alpha Challenge letter at The Craft Barn this time is 'Q' and 'quantity' is the word that jumped into my mind.

The letters and butterflies are from Circus Alphabet by IndigoBlu, the flowers Sheen Douglass Always Floral, the heart is from the wedding collection by Marion Emberson and the birds are by Marion also - the Birds and Trees set.  I have no clue about the little clock - its a little wooden stamp I have had for ages.  The background is created using Spun Sugar and Weathered Wood Distress Paints and edged with Peacock Feathers and Picked Raspberry Distress Inks.  The alphabet tiles are coloured with the Spun Sugar paint and edged with Picked Raspberry ink.  I am very close to the end time of the challenge as usual!  I never get any better.  Thank you so much for visiting me - its appreciated so much!  Have a lovely weekend and I will visit you as soon as I can.  Take care.  Christine xx

Butterfly Girl

I made this for my friend's daughter's 13th Birthday, I hope she likes it as it is not the original card I was going to make as that went horribly wrong!

I have been after the stamp set, Butterfly Beauties by the Stamp Man, for ages.  It was discontinued a very long time ago and I managed to get it on Ebay recently - I was so pleased!  The background is Mown Lawn, Picked Raspberry and Salty Ocean Distress Inks randomly splodged on the card then spritzed with water.  I dried it with my heat gun then dabbed all over with an anti static bag before stamping with Black Versafine and embossing with clear detail powder.  Without using the bag there would have been oodles of embossing powder everywhere!  The sentiment is made in the same way and is from the same stamp set.  The pops of colour in the centre of the flowers are painted on using undiluted ink from the same ink pads.  The numbers are Cuttlebug.  I kept it quite simple as I think the images are just so cool they didn't need any additions.  As usual I have to apologise for not being about in Blogland much.  I have spent some time with my Daughter and new little Granddaughter who is just so beautiful!  People told me how wonderful it would be to be a Grandma and its so true - I love it!  I can't wait to see them again, thank goodness for Skype!  Thank you for visiting me - I am so grateful!  Take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'N'

Over at The Craft Barn the letter for the Alpha Challenge is 'N'.  I went for 'Naked'.

I an not overly happy with this page.  I had to rush it today as I am off to stay with my Daughter and Son-in-Law for a few days tomorrow.  Sarah give birth to my first Grandchild on 25th October so I can't wait - she is the cutest baby!  You can see a photo of her on my last post here.  Anyway, back to my page - the stamped image is a fabulous Clarity stamp.  The flower mask is Arch of Flowers from Imagination Crafts and the texture mask is Mini Tile Texture from Crafters Workshop.  I have used Seedless Preserves, Peacock Feathers and Victorian Velvet Distress Inks with Black Versafine and clear Detail Embossing powder for the lady image.  I wish I had a shape like that when I was naked!!  Thank you for visiting me, its so lovely of you and your comments are appreciated so much!  Take care.  Christine xx

New Baby Freya Card (and a Photo too!)

My little baby Granddaughter Freya was born recently and here is the card I made for my Daughter and Son-in-law.

The image and the phrase are by Lili of the Valley and I coloured the image with Promarkers.  The dies used are Spellbinders Labels Four, Petite Circles and Petite Scallop Circles and the ornate edges to the circle are made by using the small doily die from the Couture Creations Ivy Die set and cutting the die cut in half and laying it under each side of the scallop circle.  On my screen the check card looks blue but it is in fact purple - I hope that shows ok on your screen.  The purple stamping is done using Heliotrope Versacolour.    Here is a photo of Freya, she is so gorgeous!

This is a couple of hours after she was born.  I am one very  happy Grandma!!  I am still not getting much crafting done and am not getting round all your blogs.  Again I am so sorry!  Thank you so much for visiting me, I appreciate it so much!  Take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'L'

The Craft Barn Alpha challenge this time is the letter 'L' but the twist is, we have to use a window. ' Lean' is my word.  The only craft I am managing at the moment is this challenge - I am determined not to miss a letter!  I must say 'thank you' to the Craft Barn for choosing me in their top 5 for my last page.  Its the second time I have made the top 5 and its a real honour!

The main image is from The Quest which is part of the A Little Bit Magical stamp set by Sheena Douglass.  The brick stamp I used on the window is from Enchanted Doorway from the same set.  The image is coloured with Promarkers and I stamped it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The background is Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass and Mowed Lawn Distress Ink and the bricks are Vintage Sepia Versafine.  I used a plastic template for the window - I don't know what make it is and I had forgotten I had it.  The letters are Cuttlebug.  If you have the time, please pop over to The Craft Barn to see the other fab entries and design team pages.  I am still having trouble visiting your blogs - I am so sorry!  Off to the hospital with my hubby today and Friday my daughter is having her baby by cesarean as it is breech.  I am so looking forward to being a Grandma!!  Thank you for visiting me, I really appreciate it - your support is wonderful! Have a fabulous day. Take care, Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'J'

Here I am again with my Craft Barn entry for the Alpha Challenge which is 'J'.  I went for 'Jingle' so its a Christmas page.  I also want to add a dose of self pity and apologise, once again, for not blogging very often and not getting around to visiting you all often enough.  My husband has been ill for about four months and the specialists don't know what it is and as I suffer from CFS (ME was the old name) I am not coping too well although I am trying to be positive!  My daughter is due to have a baby (so exciting!!) on 1st November but its breech at the mo so she has to go into hospital on Monday to see if they can turn it. I am a great big ball of worry all round!  All in all, craft is taking a bit of a back seat and I am so sorry!!  Self pity over now - here is my page!

I love Christmas so it was a good excuse to do a Christmas page!  The background is Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky and Pine Needles Distress Inks blended then spritzed with water and dabbed with kitchen roll.  The tree stamp is a very old wooden stamp with no maker on it - I stamped it twice so it went right across the page.  The Santa's Sleigh is by IndigoBlu.  I used black Archival Ink.  I used a Clarity mask for the moon and coloured it with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink.  I dotted dries white glue all over the page and over the stamping for snow and added Tim Holtz white glitter for sparkle.  The large letters are Cuttlebug and I wrote the words along the bottom and the music notes with a permanent pen.  Please visit The Craft Barn Blog to see the DT pages and the other fab entries.  Thank you so much for visiting and bearing with me!  Its much appreciated. Take Care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'G'

'G' is the letter for the current challenge over at The Craft Barn,  'Girl' is the word that jumped out at me so that is what I went with.

I love this main image - its a B-Line Designs stamp that I bought second hand at a sale a while ago and haven't used before.  The quote is from the Safari set from Paperartsy and the letters are Cuttlebug.  The background is done using Picked Raspberry, Tattered Rose, Spun Sugar and Peacock Feathers Distress Inks.  The flowers are stencilled using the Daisy Oval mask from Imagination Crafts and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink.  The black stamping is done with Archival Ink and I have added glitter to the centre of the flowers the the necklace.  As usual there are lots of other fab pages to see over at The Craft Barn.  Thank you so much for looking - its so appreciated!  Take care.  Christine xx

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 225

At last I have managed to join in again!  I haven't showed my desk for so long!  Not much going on however, just a bit of a mess really where I unloaded by bag from visiting Alexander Palace show.  If you want to join in with WOYWW, then pop over to Julia's - its lots of fun!

I am pleased with my new stash!  Masks, stamps, some things to paint, paper, card, a gorgeous Sweet Poppy Stencil, a couple of Cosmic Shimmer embossing powders, adhesive pearls, double sided sticky sheets and a new bottle of Glossy Accents.  I am behind with all my blog visits (again) and will try and catch up over the next few days.  Will visit as many desks as I can too!  Thank you for visiting me, its so lovely of you to take the time!  Take care.  Christine xx

Flowers from Space!

I bought this Jofy set of stamps by Paperartsy a while ago and last week finally had a play.

I got the idea for this card from the September issue of Craft Stamper.  The stamping is done with black Momento ink then coloured with Promarkers.  The background is a couple of Distress Inks, one is Scattered Straw but I can't remember which the other one is.  I gave it a little spritz with water, dried it then stamped the swirls (Creative Expressions) with the Scattered Straw Distress Ink.  I left the gap deliberately under the grass at the bottom so I can add a little sentiment later depending on the occasion if it needs it.   I love these stamps, they look like flowers from space!  Have a good day and thank you so much for visiting me, I appreciate it so much!  Take care. Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'Z'

ooh this was a difficult challenge over at The Craft Barn!  There are not so many words starting with 'Z'.  I went for 'Zone'.

I used Distress Paints for the background colours - Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn and Broken China.  I dabbed then on then smoothed them out and blended the edges with my fingers.  I had not used them before a Hels Sheridan workshop I attended last Saturday, the workshop was amazing - Hels is fab fun and an amazing teacher, (I will post the results another time).  I went with my friends Marl, Claire and Lizzy and we had such a laugh!  Anyway I digress! The paints are awesome and Distress Inks work over the top!  I used different masks over each section.  All are Special Touch masks.  I inked through with Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean and Pine Needles Distress Inks.  The stitching detail separating the sections is an InkyDoodles stamp from the Fabulous Fabrics set and the large letters are Cuttlebug.  The circles are Spellbinders.  I am late again, just sneaking in last minute!  If you get the chance, please hop over to the Craft Barn and see the DT pages and other entries - all of them are always fabulous!  Have a brilliant weekend whatever you are doing and thank you so much for visiting me.  Take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'O'

The current letter for the Alpha Challenge over at the Craft Barn is 'O' and as usual, I am entering very close to the closing time!  I haven't posted since the last entry for this challenge - I must craft more!  I chose 'oodles' cause I love that word and luckily it was in the dictionary though it has a very small definition!

The background is Tumbled Glass Distress Ink sprinkled with water then dabbed with kitchen roll.  I then inked through a Clarity Stamp Dotty Stencil with Festive Berries Distress Ink and put a dot in the centre of of each red dot with a white Inkessentials Pen.  The dots behind all the letters are done with a Promarker and everything is edged with Black Soot Distress Ink.  I then  added dotty Card Candi to finish the page.  I always use Pinflair Glue Gel to stick Candi rather then foam pads.  So there you have it, oodles of spots and dots! Please pop over and see the other fab entries and brilliant Design Team pages here. Thank you so much for visiting, I really appreciate it.  Have a lovely weekend and I will try and blog again soon!  Take Care, Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'D'

The letter for the Alpha Challenge at The Craft Barn this time is 'D' and I decided on 'Dandelion'.

I love these Dandelion and extra seed stamps - they are from a set called Dandelion Wishes from Creative Expressions and I have stamped them in Black Archival Ink embossed with clear embossing powder. I can't remember where I got the 'he loves me ,  he loves me not', stamp but it just seemed to fit the image. The background is Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean and Pickled Raspberry Distress Inks splodged with water, dabbed with kitchen roll, dried and then sprayed with Abominable Snowman Glimmer Mist.  I then used an aperture from Stamps Away Apertures Set 2 and inked through with Pickled Raspberry Ink as a base for the main image.  The letters are made with Cuttlebug dies and I have edged everything with little dashes using a thin permanent marker pen.  The whole page really glimmers but you can't see it too well as my photography skills are not very good!!  I hope you have a fab weekend.  Thank you so much for visiting and if you can spare the time, it would be fab if you could pop over to The Craft Barn and see the other entries and DT pages.  Its also just a very cool blog to visit!  I always find loads of inspiration there!  Thanks again and take care.  Christine xx

Gilding Flake Crazy!

It was our 9th Wedding Anniversary yesterday and this is the card I made for Darren, my husband, I went a bit crazy with the Gilding Flakes!!

The stamp is from a tree set by Creative Expressions, the Hexagon's are a Sissix die set, the Gilding Flakes are Lancashire Rose by Indigoblu and the letters and numbers are Cuttlebug dies  The photo doesn't do the Flake justice, they shine amazingly and the colours are gorgeous!  We didn't go out to celebrate as Darren is poorly at the moment but we did have a yummy Indian takeway.  There was so much and we ate the lot!!  I hope you have a lovely weekend and thank you so much for visiting me, I really appreciate it.  Take Care. Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'T'

Its time for the Alpha Challenge at the Craft Barn and its 'T'.  I chose 'Tree'.

Its a very simple page but I just love this tree stamp and didn't want to clutter it up too much.  The large tree and leaves are from a Lavinia clear set and are stamped with Coffee Archival ink.  The background is Peeled Paint, Pine Needles and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks which were randomly applied then spritzed with water.  I then just dropped on some blobs of Cut Grass Dylusions Ink Spray and dabbed it around with a piece of kitchen roll.  The letters are Cuttlebug dies and the curly font reminds me of branches - and the tiny tree is a punch.  If you have time, please pop over to the Craft Barn and see the fab DT pages and other cool entries.  I am always in awe of everyone's wonderful pages!  Have a brilliant weekend whatever you are doing and thank you so much for visiting - its so lovely of you to take the time!  Take care.  Christine xx

Create Your Own Sunshine

Come Rain or Shine is the challenge over at Artful Times and I have just got in with a couple of hours to spare!

I saw this stamp set which is called Uptown Girl Sunny is Stylish by Stamping Bella, when I went to Newbury show a couple of weeks ago and I loved it and it was perfect for this challenge.  I tried to make it look like the rain was falling round her and she was in the sunshine she had the created to go with the sentiment - I hope you think it works?  The paper I paper pieced for her clothes and is also the mat for the sentiment is Bo Bunny Isabella 6 x 6 pad.  I used Spellbinders Curved Rectangles, Small and Classic Circles and the grass and foliage are Inky Doodles and Marion Emberson clear stamps.  The inks are Tumbled Glass, Mown Lawn and Sqeezed Lemonade Distress Ink along with Black Versafine and the hair, skin and shoes are coloured with Promarkers. Not forgetting, of course, the Card Candi!  Please visit Artful Times and see what everyone else has been up to.  As usual, I am behind with my visit - but I will catch up I promise!  Thank you for visiting me and take care! Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'Y'

The Craft Barn's Alpha Challenge this time is 'Y' but with a twist - we had to use yellow.  Now I failed to read the 'yellow' bit  (silly me) so I made a page in pink and blue!  Whoops, I had to start again!!  The word I chose was 'You' which my husband actually suggested.

The mirror is made with a frame stamped from the Vintage Photography Creative Expressions stamp set - I stamped it in Sepia Versafine, embossed it with clear powder then added highlights with Patina Creative Expressions Guilding Wax.  I then attached it to a piece of mirror card to make it into the mirror.  The photo doesn't really show that very well though, sorry!  The pink background is a fabulous Special Touch mask that was a pressi from my friend Marl, that has been inked through with Spun Sugar Distress Ink.  The flowers are cut using the Cherry Blossom Spellbinders set inked with Mustard Seed Distress Ink and the same ink has been used to frame the page.  The writing is done with a brown Promarker on yellow card from my stash and the 'YOU' is stamped, embossed and cut out and highlighed with the Patina Guilding wax. Please visit The Craft Barn and see all the other fab pages and maybe enter yourself, its great fun!  Its been very hot here in Bournemouth again today.  The outside of my house is being painted at the moment and the man doing it must have fried! Thank you for visiting me, I really do appreciate it! Take care.  Christine xx

Embossing Paste Tree

I made this card for My Father-in-Law, Roger's recent birthday.  I used Dreamweaver stencils for both the tree and the sentiment.  The embossing paste is Dreamweaver Gold but then I sprinkled it with various autumnal shades of Perfect Pearls then heated it up with a heat gun - its gives a lovely texture.  The background is embossed with a new Anna Griffin Chicken Wire embossing folder - I think it is going to be one of my favourites!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  I will be visiting you all over the next day or two.  Thank you so much for visiting me.  Enjoy the lovely weather (if you are lucky enough to have it) and take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'B'

The Alpha Challenge over at The Craft Barn is the letter 'B'.  It had to be 'Blues'.

This is quite a straightforward page showcasing some of the blues greats.  Magic Slim is not as well known as the others but I saw him at a festival a few years ago and he is amazing!  Real true blues music!  The background is Salty Ocean and Faded Jeans Distress Inks blending over clear embossed music notes.  The letters are Cuttlebug and the treble clef is a die cut my friend Marleine gave me.  The pictures are various album covers from the internet.  We have loads of pictures we could have used but it was easier to download them cause they were already the right size.  Please pop over to The Craft Barn to see all the wonderful pages.  I am off to Artstamps show at Newbury tomorrow, I can't wait!  Whatever you are doing, have a fabulous time!  Thank you for visiting, I am so grateful!  Take care.  Christine xx

All White Christmas Card

Over at Artful Times the challenge, which ends in a short while, is to make an all white card.  I thought this ended tomorrow so have had to really rush!  Luckily I had already done the main image a couple of days ago.

The tree is a Dreamweaver stencil and I used white paste sprinkled with glitter.  The flowers I made myself with punches, glitter and pearls and the sentiment is a Sissix embossing folder borrowed from my friend Claire.  I hope you can see this ok.  Sorry I have had to rush but am expecting my Mum and Dad in-law round any second for a chinese and I haven't got my make up on yet!  Its my Dad in-laws birthday today so we are celebrating!  Must dash.  Thanks for visiting and please pop over to Artful Times and see all the other fab makes.  Take Care.  Christine xx

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 214

Its Wednesday!!! Time for the weekly desk peek!  If you don't know what I am talking about, pop over to Julia's Fab Blog to find out and join in the fun.

As you can see, my desk is covered with goodies!  All purchased on Sunday at the Portsmouth Sincerely Yours Papercraft Show.  I went with my friends Marl and Lizzy, we had such a laugh!  Marl and I both had to get the Jofy stamps you see at the front - I think I may have persuaded her she needed them and it took Lizzy and I ages to decide which sale dies to buy.  Sitting at the back on the left is Featuring Magazine - it contains an article all about Julia and WOYWW - its brilliant!  The magazine concentrates on art journalling and mixed media and is full of really cool stuff!  I will keep this short for now.  Hopefully next Wednesday I will be able to post a desk of more goodies as I am off to Artstamps at Newbury on Saturday with my friend Julie.  Thank you for visiting me, I really appreciate it!  Have a good week and take care.  Christine xx

Claiming my Blog with Bloglovin

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5658733/?claim=sb79ckaehps">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

This is just a post to claim my blog with Bloglovin.  I hope I have got it right!  I am not good with all this technical stuff!  I am going to add a Bloglovin widget to my blog along with a 'follow by email' button then I should have all bases covered when things change.  I have imported all of the blogs I follow into Bloglovin so I don't lose any of your posts.  I hope you will still follow me, I neeeeeeed you!!!

Thank you and take care!  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'U'

Its the letter 'U' for the Alpha Challenge over at The Craft Barn.  I chose Unicorn.

I wanted the background colours to be ethereal so I stamped and coloured the unicorn with Promarkers, made a mask then  gently streaked Pickled Raspberry, Peackock Feathers and Shaded Lilac Distress Inks coming away from the image.  The Unicorn is a Messy Rabbit stamp by Joanna Sheen, Unicorn is stamped with Fishtails clear alphabet stamp by Sassafras Lass and the stars are a little Lavinia stamp just repeated lots!  I had to add lots of sparkle with Glamour Dust as unicorns are so magical!   Please pop over and see the other fab entries and the brilliant design team pages.  Thank you so much for visiting and have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing.  Take care.  Christine xx

What's on your Workdesk Wednesday? 211

Well, I haven't been around for a while again!  Life keeps getting in the way of crafting and blogging - hey ho! I have managed, rather late, to join in with WOYWW today though!  If you don't know what I am talking about, then hop over to Stamping Ground and Julia will explain.

You can see my dictionary open at the letter 'U' cause I am just about to choose a word to make a journal page for a challenge.  There is some new Martha Stewart clay and moulds waiting for me to play with and the card standing next to that is going to be sent out later to a friend (once I have made the insert).  There is also my usual cup of tea, my box of Promarkers, right at the back between the tea and the card is a plastic bag with some die cuts and stuff that my friend Marl gave me.  In the left hand corner are some buttons and tags from recently bought clothes which I am sure can be used for something.  I am off to have lunch now with my poorly husband - he has a horrible ear infection at the moment which has completely floored him. I have been to the dentist and even our little pussycat is poorly!  What a day!  Later on I will be catching up on my blog visits.  Have a lovely day and take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge FE - FR

There is a twist to this Alpha Challenge over at the Craft Barn.  It is the letter 'F' but must be between 'FE' and 'FR'.  I chose Friend.

As soon as I thought of the word 'Friend' I thought of this cute Lili of the Valley stamp.  I don't often use people stamps as I am not very good at colouring them but risked it cause it just seemed the perfect image!  The tree is a Lavina clear stamp, the sentiment is from the Only Words - Through the Rain Sheena Douglas unmounted set.  Forever Friends is from a clear We R Memory Keepers set called Daisy Phrases and the letters saying Friend are made using a Cuttlebug Die.  Ooh I almost forgot, the flowers are Spellbinders Cherry Blossom.  The inks used are Vintage Sepia Versafine along with Salty Ocean and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks.  The colouring is with Promarkers.  If you have time, please pop over to The Craft Barn to see the fab DT pages and all the cool entries.  Thanks loads for visiting me.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Take Care.  Christine xx

Anniversary Card

It was my friend Claire's 25th Wedding Anniversary yesterday and here is the card I made.

The main image is a stamp  from a Joanna Sheen Wedding set called Diana.  Its stamped in Versafine, embossed with clear powder and coloured with Promarkers.  I added Glossy Accents to the two large roses.  The hearts are made with a punch and the numbers with a Cuttlebug Die.  The border along the bottom is using Spellbinders A2 Scallop Borders One.  The silver hearts look a bit dark but they are actually really shiny and bright - my photography skills are pretty non-existent!  Thank you for popping by and take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'K'

'K' is the letter over at the Craft Barn's Alpha Challenge for this fortnight.  I chose the word 'Kiss'.  I thought of it because I have a lips stamp but had to cheat and find the image of the kissing couple from the internet as I didn't have a suitable image myself and I cannot draw!

The background is inked with Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade Distress inks then spritzed with water.  I then inked though star shaped sequin waste type stuff that I have had for ages but never used. The word 'Kiss' is stamped with black Versafine using Sassafrass Lass clear stamp set Hombre and the lips are an Inkylicious stamp and red Versafine ink.  Its quite a simple page but I liked the image so much I didn't think it needed much else.  Please pop over to the Craft Barn to see the DT cool pages and the other fab entries and maybe join in yourself if you have not done so already.  I have been a very bad blogger this week and haven't  been able to visit you all yet but will be catching up very soon, I promise!!!  Thank you for visiting me - I really appreciate your visits and comments lots.  Take care.  Christine xx

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 206

This is a mega quick post as I am being picked up in five minutes to meet up with some friends.  Its Wednesday again, time for the weekly desk snoop.  Hop over to Julia's to join in the fun.

No crafting going on today.  Just stuff to be put away.  Starting from the left is a gorgeous mask that my friend Marleine gave me, this months Clarity Club stamp, Martha Stewart moulds and clay, an old wooden pencil case I found at a car boot and inside were those little wooden frames! How cool are they!  A plastic tub to keep new clay in and on top of that is a Crafty Individuals stamp that I just had to have!  In the background is some more abstract Encaustic Art that I did at the same time as my last post.  Have a fab day and thank you for visiting.  I must dash off. Sorry if there are any mistakes! Take care. Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'A'

The dictionary letter for this fortnight's Alpha Challenge over at The Craft Barn is 'A' and I chose 'Abstract'.

I find my favourite way to achieve abstract is with Encaustic Art (painting with wax using an iron) so that is what I did.  The letters are cut out using Cuttlebug dies.  There isn't really much more to say about this page except that the colours are much more vibrant in real life and I have polished it so it really shines. I am quite disappointed at how it looks in the picture but I can't seem to get a better photo.  If you have time, please visit The Craft Barn and see the fabulous Design Team pages and the other wonderful entries.  Thank you so much for visiting and have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing.  Take care.  Christine xx

Clean and Simple

Over at Artful Times the theme is Clean and Simple.

This was the first card I thought of.  The flowers are from an Inky Doodles set and the words are Sheena Douglass.  The colouring is with Promarkers and the word 'hello' in the background is embossed with white detail embossing powder using Versemark ink   I didn't have the correct red card to match so I coloured the edges of some white card with a matching Promarker for the mat and coloured white Card Candi in the same way.  I wondered if this was too fussy so I did a simpler version too.

 

I hope it is ok to enter two cards!The purple hearts are glazed with Glossy Accents.   Please pop over to Artful Times and see Von and Neet's fabulous work along with all the other brilliant entries.  Ooh I just have to tell you, my Daughter Sarah is expecting her first baby!  It is due on 1st November and I am so excited about becoming a Grandma!!  As many people have pointed out, I will be Granny Smith!  Its lucky I love that particular apple isn't it?  Thank you so much for visiting me. Your comments are much appreciated.  Take care xx

Alpha Challenge 'W'

There is a twist with the Alpha Challenge at The Craft Barn this fortnight.  The letter is 'W' and we have to include circles in the background.  I have left my entry until the last minute yet again and had to rush - I do it every time!

The owl is from Inkadinkado Patterned Birds and Bugs and is stamped in Black Versafine and coloured with coloured pencils.  The circles are stamped with Spice Big and Juicy using stamps from the Creative Expressions Button Floral stamp plate.  The moon is achieved by lightly brayering with Stonewashed Adirondack using a punched circle for a mask and the letters for 'WISE' and the crown are die cut from a Cuttlebug alphabet set.  The writing is with a glaze pen cause its the only brown pen I had!  Thank you for visiting me and please pop over to The Craft Barn to take a look at the other entries and the DT work.  I hope I haven't forgotten anything, This post is a bit rushed I am afraid.  Take care. Christine xx

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 203

Its that time of the week again - yes - time to have a nose around and see what other people are doing in their craft space!  To join in the fun - hop over to Julia's.  Go on, you know you want to!

I am  trying out one of the stamps on a new stamp set I received from Inkydoodles yesterday - I just love those flowers!  This set and the Christmas set you can see are both half price at the moment so I just had to have them!  There are a few Promarkers and Copics to the right, various other bits and bobs and an empty cup that was full of tea!  The card stood up towards the left at the back was sent to me by the lovely Darnell. Here is a closer picture of it - its so gorgeous. Thank you so much Darnell!!!

What a lovely keepsake to have.  If you haven't already visited Darnell's blog, you really must - it is brilliant! Her cards are fabulous and her posts are so cool!  Thank you for dropping by my desk, have a fab day and take care - Christine xx

Another Flower Card

Here is the second of my flower cards.

This is made in the same way as the Flower Power card on my last post but with a different layout, Sheena's Always Floral Stamp set and Seedless Preserves, Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean Distress Inks.
I am very excited cause I got chosen for the Wall of Fame at the Craft Barn for my Repeat Page submitted for their Alpha Challenge.  Its the first time a project of mine has been chosen for anything!  Thank you for visiting and have a lovely day whatever you are doing.  Take care.  Christine xx

Flower Power!

It was my friend Susan's birthday recently and here is the card I made for her.

Distress Inks Salty Ocean, Pickled Raspberry and Mowed Lawn have appeared again - I just love them!  They are blended together with a blending tool, spritzed with water and sprayed with Abominable Snowman Glimmer Mist. I have added Glamour Dust for sparkle and the flowers are raised up with Pinflair Glue Gel. The stamps are by Sheena Douglass from her Little Bit Sketchy range - Flower Power and the words are from a clear set by Hobby Art - Birthday Collection.    I did a similar card with a different set of Sheena flowers - I will post that another day.  I hope you are having a lovely Sunday.  Thank you for taking the time to visit my simple little blog, it means a lot!  Take care, Christine xx

Masks at Artful Times

Over at Artful Times the challenge at the moment is to use masks and/or stencils.

For my entry I have used masks.  The large butterfly is created by inking through an aperture from Stamps Away Aperture Set 2 and the background is a Splodgeaway mask.  I can't find the name of it anywhere on the packaging but its an 8 x 8 frame and I just used parts of it.  The colours are Distress Inks in Salty Ocean, Pickled Raspberry and Peacock Feathers.  I have thrown drops of water all over and then sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist. The fairy stamps are Inkylicious and Sheena Douglass and the stars are Inkadinkado.  The sentiment is from a set that I think was free with a magazine ages ago.  I added pink pearls from my stash and lots of sparkle with Glamour Dust.  Please pop over to Artful Times to see the other fab entries and Design Team projects.  I have been trying to post this for a few days but I thought Blogger wasn't letting me.  It turns out its my computer that is the problem!  I am posting this on my husband's with no problem at all!  Hopefully I can sort it out soon, technology drives me mad when it doesn't do what I want it to!  I hope you are all having a lovely day - its bright and sunny here in Bournemouth.  Thank you so much for visiting, Take care, Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'R'

The Alpha Challenge letter over at the Craft Barn is currently 'R'.  Please pop over and see all the Design Team projects and other fab entries - here is my effort.

The image is from an Inkadinkado inchie set stamped in black Versafine on coloured card and punched with a one inch punch.  I just had the work 'repeat' in my head so that's what I had to do!  I love that little image, I used it ages ago on a card for my daughter when she got a new job.  Sorry I haven't been around much, will try and do better!  I am always promising that but I do struggle!  Life just gets in the way!  Anyway, thank you for visiting me and for sticking with me when I don't do so good with my blogging, I really appreciate it!  Take care and have a good weekend.  Christine xx

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 200

I haven't joined in with WOYWW for a while but had to be there for number 200!  If you want to join in too, then pop along to the fabulous Stamping Ground.

I am hoping to be crafting later but this is what my desk looks like at the moment.  There are some bits and bobs in the centre which are new purchases.  The biscuits to the right are to take with me tomorrow when I meet up with some good friends to craft. To the left are some serviettes that I picked up from a cheap shop and I thought they would be fab to incorporate in my crafting.  Behind them is a box that my niece Meg gave us for Easter.  It was filled with home made chocolates that were gorgeous!  Its a fab box that cries out to be altered.  At the very back is my art journal still open at the last page I made for the Alpha challenge at the Craft Barn.  I hope you are having a lovely day today.  I had the dentist this morning, just a check up thankfully!  Thank you for visiting, I really look forward to your comments and I look forward to visiting all of you too!  Take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge 'P'

The Alpha Challenge this fortnight at the Craft Barn is the letter 'P' and I decided to go for 'Perfume'.

The background of the page, quote and definition are inked with Dusty Concorde, Shaded Lilac and Peacock Feathers Distress Inks.  The perfume bottles are stamped in black Versafine onto card coloured with various Distress Inks along with Cosmic Shimmer and H2O paints.  I have added a touch of glitter to those too.  The word 'Perfume' along with the ladies are stamped in Imperial Purple Versafine. The background is stamped around the edge with a swirl with script randomly stamped over the whole background.  The bottles are a Joanna Sheen set but I have no clue on the makes of the other sets, sorry!  Do pop over to the The Craft Barn to see the other entries and the Design Team projects.   I will be visiting you all over the next few days.  Have a fabulous Easter break.  Take care.  Christine xx

Alpha Challenge - Mess

The Alpha Challenge over at The Craft Barn is the letter 'M' this fortnight - but it has to be a word between MA and ME.  I chose Mess.

I had great fun with this page. If you click on the picture you can see the detail clearer. The background is marbled using the shaving foam technique with Cosmic Shimmer Mists and Glimmer Mists.  The splats are Distress Stains and the drops and steaks are Charcoal Glimmer Mist.  I stamped the letters with a new clear alphabet set called Hombre by Sassafras Lass.  I picked this and another set up at Farnborough Make it show.  They were very cheap in a bargain box and stamp out brilliantly - not that you can see that too well as I have messed them up!  I have used lots of Shabby Blue Frantage embossing enamel and then a variety of bits and pieces all stuck on with Cosmic Shimmer glue.  There are also some drink stains - these are made with the bottom of a plastic glass and Distress Ink.  I think you can definitely say this is a mess!  Thank you for visiting and take care.  Christine xx

Liebster Award!

I have very kindly been awarded the Liebster Award by the fabulous Lori at Lori's Happy Place, thank you so much Lori!

The Liebster Award is designed to encourage visits to blogs which have less than 200 followers.

If you choose to accept (I will not be offended in the slightest if you choose not to), the rules are:

To thank the person who gave you the award, let them know if you accept and link back to their blog.
Post the award image onto the sidebar of your blog.
Nominate five bloggers who inspire you, and have less than 200 followers, to receive the award.
Leave a comment on their blog letting them know you have given them this fab award.

Here are my five wonderful nominees:

Paper Pathway
Jumbled Crafts
Sandra's Spot
Curious and Crafty Treasures
Sam's Home Cooked Cards

All the blogs I follow are a massive inspiration to me, and I thank all my lovely followers for your continued support.

I will be back later with another post (all assuming I finish the project I am working on!)  I will catch up with all your blogs later too!

Bye for now and take care. Christine xx

Circle Flower Card

 

I have just realised I keep making colourful cards on a black background!  I must do something different next time or you will all be bored! I have made this for a challenge over at Artful Times which is 'Spots and Stripes - Circles and Straight Lines.  The background is made using Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans and Salty Ocean DI's.  The spots in the background are Salty Ocean, Pickled Rasberry and Mown Lawn DI's and are inked through a mask.  The circle flowers and leaves are stamped on white card coloured with the same ink and spritzed with Pearl Glimmer Mist and the background is spritzed with Cosmic Shimmer Mist in Aqua Lagoon.  The flowers and leaves are from Creative Expressions Button Florals stamp plate, the butterflies are Inky Doodles Floral Fantasy and the sentiment is by Marion Emberson.  The straight lines are the stems which are made from ribbon and I am hoping the rings on the flowers can be seen as stripes even though they are circular, not sure if I can get away with that or not!  The flowers,  butterflies and sentiment are all raised with mounting foam. The ribbon is white seam binding coloured with DI's.  Please pop over to Artful Times to see the other fab entries and Neet and Von's brilliant examples.  Thank you so much for visiting, take care and keep warm if you are still in the grip of the March freeze.  Bye for now, Christine xx

Happy Mother's Day for Yesterday!

I meant to post this yesterday but the day ran away with me.  My Son, Daughter and Son-in-Law came to visit armed with cards, pressi's and a yummy Lemon Drizzle Cake made by my Son-in Law.  I had a lovely day - if you celebrate Mother's day, I hope you had a lovely day too.  Here is the card I made for my fabulous Mum-in-Law.

The photo doesn't really show the gold very well, sorry.  The stamp is from Inkylicious and the main image is stamped with gold pigment ink and embossed with gold embossing powder - it really shines in real life!  The image on the black is stamped with Versafine and embossed with clear powder and the sentiment is from a Marion Emberson clear stamp set.  The black and gold card and the adhesive stones are from my stash.  I added a little glitter to the centre of the poppies.

Its very cold today here in the uk - so, wherever you are, stay warm and have a nice day.  Thank you for visting me, I really appreciate it and I love reading your comments! Take care.  Christine xx

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 196

Its Wednesday!  Time to hop around the world and see what is going on with everyone's desks! If you are wondering what on earth I am talking about, then pop over to Julia's Place and all will be explained!

No crafting going on at the moment.  I went to Farnborough Make It show on Friday and my desk is covered with my new stash!  I had a fabulous day and managed to pick up a good variety of stuff.  I emptied my bag and just heaped everything on my desk and there it has stayed.  This afternoon I hope to sort it all out and play!  Last week I had the elements for my Husband's birthday card on my desk so I thought I would show you the finished card.

The image is a picture I found on the internet and is Miles Davis.  The trumpet is from Tando Creative and I coloured it with Brushed Pewter Distress Stain.  The background card is stamped with a little stamp I have had for ages, I can't remember which make, its stamped with black Versafine and embossed with clear powder and the silver embossing is done with the Spellbinders M-bossibilities Music folder.

Thank you for visiting my desk - have a good day and take care.  Christine xx