Fly Butterfly Tag

I started this tag by stamping the butterfly image (using the butterfly from the Stampin' Up set called "Touch Of Nature") onto a prepared Panpastel background and then masked the area so that I could stamp the script background (using Crafter's Companion script cling stamp).  

I then used a couple of Tim Holtz stampers anonymous stamps for the honeycomb and heavy black dot shapes. I then stamped the flower (below the butterfly) which was part of a "Little Claire" stamp set, sticking embellishments to the centres.  The edges were inked with various shades of ink and the stickers "Fly" were added.

Farewell Card

As I tidied my desk for the day I decided to make a quick Farewell Card.  I stamped the image, (Stampin' Up stamp from the Natures Nest set).  I coloured the image using water colour pencils and then added a stamped sentiment.  This was then mounted onto green cardstock.

I then used a background style honeycomb stamp for the background of the card, and inked the edges of the card.  The matted image was then stuck to the front of the card.

Thank You (From All Of Us) Card

I had a few off cuts of patterned paper on the desk from my earlier project, so thought I would put them to good use by making a card.  I like patchwork so making 2" blocks seemed to be the natural way to go.

The patterned paper pieces are part of the "Floral Boutique" collection by Stampin' Up.  The white rectangle was cut using a die with a stitched detail by Memorybox.  The "Thank You From All Of  Us" sentiment is part of the Stampin' Up, "One Big Meaning" stamp set.

Floral Boutique Storage Jars (Stampin' Up)

Waking in the middle of the night does have benefits.  I got up and covered some pots and jars with patterned paper.  I think they look quite pretty.

I started off with an old coffee tin I had washed and put by for some sort of craft project.

The tin measured 27cm x 15cm tall.  I found a set of patterned papers (Stampin' Up, Beautiful Boutique range) that I thought would work well and cut them to different widths adding an additional cm to the measurement for overlapping.  

Using double sided sticky tape, I stuck the top row to the tin and worked my way down woth the two other patterned papers to the bottom.  I added ribbon as a trim and put the plastic lid of the tin on the base (so that it doesn't scratch the surfaces).  I then did the same with a couple of jars.

Good Luck On Your Travels Card

Today I made a good luck card for somebody going on their travels.  I used two Stampin' Up products.  The Sunburst Thinlit die and a stamp from "The Open Sea" stamp set.

I also baked as we're visiting relatives tomorrow.  One cake will be lemon and one jam with butter cream and I'm undecided on the third.  I also made a batch of flapjacks too, so quite a productive afternoon.

Nostalgic Telephone Box Tag

I enjoyed making the tag yesterday & decided to make another today. I like that there is no agenda, that I can go in any direction I please. Today was a grunge day!

I cut an off-cut of patterned paper to a tag shape and inked it in several shades. I used a stamp from the Stampin' Up "Feeling Sentimental" set for the telephone box and inked the edges.

Thinking Of You - Sitting Cat Card

Our pets are a big part of our lives and we miss them when they're no longer with us.

This quick card uses a Memorybox "Large Sitting Cat" die cut and a sentiment from the Stampin' Up set called "Sheltering Tree".

The Time Of My Life Tag

Today seems to have passed in a blink of an eye, but I did have a little time to play with ink making this tag "The Time Of My Life".

A plain tag, with stamped images of the cogs & sentiment. Inked edges in several shades & embellished with bits & bobs.

One Wild Ride Card

It's often difficult to find a male card, but this one has worked well.

The hexagon background is a Memorybox "Honeycomb Background" die. I'm not sure who made the car stamp, but it could be by Anita's.  The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up Set called "One Wild Ride"

Guess What? Card

Returning to one if my favourite manufacturers of stamps to make this card. I've used a Penny Black stamp called "Guess What" designed by Margaret Shelley.

I have used my Faber Castell Pastels for colour on this card.

Thankful Card

For this card, I have used a We R Memory Keepers "woven" embossing folder for the background.

I used an Anita's stamp and coloured the image using Faber Castell pastels.

Wish You Were Here Card

I managed to have a quick play with the We R Memory Keepers "woven" embossing folders, making this card with a stamped and Panpastel background,mounted onto black cardstock and then mounted onto the embossed cardstock.

I really like the effect of the embossing on these tags, now I just have to find the time to do something with them.

Home - to a pile of mail

I've been away for ten days on a canal holiday and had a fabulous time. When I got home there was a huge pile of mail to be opened. 

I was excited to see a package which I've waited for the delivery of for ages.  A We R Memory Keepers woven embossing files, which took well over a month. I can't wait to have a play with them later (but the mountain of washing has been done first).

The Audlem Mill Shop

I'm away at the moment and came across The Audlem Mill Shop at Audlem, Cheshire. 

I was drawn to it by the word "crafts" and the old Singer sewing machines in the windows. The shop has a lovely cosy feel to it even though it covers two large floors.

The work of artist Deborah Phillips

While roaming the internet today , I came across the work of Scottish artist Deborah Phillips.  Her art work really appeals to me, working mainly with acrylics, featuring what appear to be familiar landscape scenes with textural grasses and flowers in the foreground.  You can take a look at her site and artwork by clicking this link.

Christmas Tag Memories - The Night Before Christmas

While making Christmas gift tags this evening, my mind became flooded with memories of when my children were young. I would read them the story "The Night Before Christmas" when they were snugged in their beds waiting for Father Christmas to arrive. So it seems apt to use part of the story on a tag.

I also made a couple of other tags too.

Trees At Dawn Card

This card has a background of blended Panpastels of assorted shades. I then used a stamp from the Stampin' Up "Lovely As A Tree" set. For the sentiment I used a word from the Stampin' Up "Endless Birthday Wishes" set.

Beautiful Landscape Chair

Roaming around the internet on a grey damp Sunday morning, I came across this absolutely stunning landscape chair.  It would look gorgeous in my new craft room, but sadly not at that price.  You can find it at The Whitehouse Gallery who have an amazing array of goodies that you're going to want to take home with you.

Seeing this chair reminds me that I still have not got round to finishing the landscape lampshade I started some months ago.  The way things are going, the craft studio will have been built and finished before I finish it. 

Three Sea Cards

I've continued to play with stamps on a sea theme and made these little blank cards, ideal for so many occasions.

For these cards I again used Stampin' Up. "By The Tide" stamp set.

Celebrate Fish Card

I've been trying to source a retired Stampin' Up set called "By The Tide" for a while. It seems it is a little like Hens teeth - pretty elusive, unless your prepared to pay an extortionate amount and get it from America, with the added customs charges it makes it an expensive set. Anyway, I now have a set, do I didn't waste any time in having a play.

For this card I have used a Panpastel background, stamping the fish on an off-cut and then cutting around it so that different shades are on the fish. 

I used a sentiment from the Stampin' Up set called "Goid Greetings".

Robin In The Snow Christmas Card

This afternoon I've returned to Christmas cards. This card uses a stamp called "Robin and Snowdrop" by Little Claire Designs.

I used Promarkers to colour the robin and pastels for the sky and ground. I also used a little glitter and sticky gems too. The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set called "Good Greetings".

Teasel Tag

I'm still playing with the Wiodware Teasel stamp (JGS329), making this stamped and inked tag.  I've used a Promarker and a Sakura gelly pen for the teasel itself.

Teasel Card

I came across a card with a teasel on it and went in search of the stamp used.  It turned out to be a clear stamp by Woodware (JGS329 Teasels) which was quite cheap at £6 inc P&P.  I absolutely love this stamp.

I used a pre prepared Panpastel background and stamped the image using StazOn.  I think it's really effective.

I also made this card which I am less sure about.

Yum Yum, It's Cake Time

The cake tin was empty so I decided to make what we know in our house as Yum Yum cake.  The recipe is pretty informal, so you can throw in or leave out anything that suits.  

Recipe:

250g Butter (very soft, close to melting)

2 cups of Self Raising Flour

3/4 cup of Sugar

3 eggs (whisked)

1 cup Sultananas

1 cup of Raisins

1 cup of Currents

1 cup of Glace Cherries (halved)

Handful of Pecan/Walnuts or Brazil nuts (chopped into large chunks)

A sprinkle of sugar for the top

Preheat the oven to 130 and grease a baking tin.

Cream the butter and sugar together, add the whisked eggs, fold in the flour and remaining ingredients (if the mixture is very stiff, you can add a splash of milk).  Put the mixture in the baking tin and cook for 35-40 minutes.  Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

(I individually wrap each portion and pop it in the freezer as it's great when you have an urge for cake and there's nothing about, especially when defrosted in the microwave).