Merry Christmas

I would like to wish  all my Crafty Friends and Followers  a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I hope 2012 is a good year for everyone.

To finish off the year, and by the skin of my teeth, here is a card I made earlier for one of DD's friends baby's 1st Christmas. It fits in nicely with the House Mouse & Friends last challenge of the year ' Fuzzy & Warm'
I took the piccy ages ago,and because I had to 'find' it, it has taken me ages to post it here!
( Edited to say, I uploaded the wrong picture, this is the one it should have been!)

Just a short one tonight, need to be organised for Santa coming tomorrow - wonder if I'll get any goodies!

Enjoy the holidays.                                                                                                                                    

Avril xx                                                                                                                                                     

Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly - but no music!

Hi All, just a quick post, didn't really want to miss the challenge at LIM this week which is Music, or if you don't have music it could be a song.  I played around, but didn't really get what I wanted with the Music stamp, so went with a song.  Stamped the image  and sentiment with Pine Needles and Peeled Paint, added red glitter to the berries and Crystal stickles to the circles down the swirls - looks quite sparkly , shame it doesn't show in the photo!

Thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Enjoy the Journey

Can't believe how fast this month has gone - Only 1 more week to Christmas!!!

It's also the last challenge of the year at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and this time the theme is Travel - this can be a particular place or a travel theme, which is what I chose. The rest of the Team have made some fabulous 'creations' so please pop over and check them out.
For my card -  I bought a compass mask at a craft show a few weeks ago and I used this with DI Pumice Stone in the bottom corner, quite pleased with the effect.  I then stamped directly onto DP with Black Memento Ink using  a selection Tim Holt stamps.  The ticket, a piece of recycling here, was stamped onto a used brown envelope.  I stamped 'umberella man' on spare card and added him on 3D pads to give a bit of depth.
I know its a busy time, but the challenge is open for 2 weeks, so possibly after the big day you will 'need' some "me time" and it will be a great opportunity to make something that doesn't resemble a Christmas Card!!  There is a fabulous set of stamps as a prize from our permanent sponsor, Marina of Cottage Crafts, and don't forget our new feature 'The Spotlight'.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges
  Sundays with Chrissy - Anything Goes
  Corrosive challenges - Anything but Chrisitmas
  One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
  Sparkles Forum - Anything but Christmas card
 

Well that's it from me, thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Snowflakes at Less is More

Well, 2 posts in one day!  - Most unusual!!!

I have intended to make this card all week as I wanted to get back into doing the LIM challenges, which this week is One Layer - Snowflakes,  but I must admit, although I have posted, I haven't actually crafted this week. Normally I find crafting takes my mind off 'things' but this week I just can't settle.  Although DD finishes Uni today for Christmas, she has a part-time job, supposed to be just 'term-time' but she has never quite managed this.  This year Christmas Eve is a Saturday - and she has to work Christmas Eve - the concession being she can finish at 3p.m.  She will have a 3hr journey on a good day, so I am just hoping we don't get snow as her journey takes her over the A66, which has already been closed last week. Sooooooooooo...............

Back to the card - Penny Black Silver Snowflake -( won in Brenda's Recycling candy,)  sentiment Hero Arts, both embossed in Silver Razzle Dazzle.  When I first started doing LIM I didn't like any of my cards, but now, I look forward to doing them.

  I am also entering this in
  Aud Sentiments - Any Christmas Sentiment
  Crimbo Crackers - Embossing

Well that's it for now and thanks for looking - and listening!

Avril xx

Here Comes Santa

Hi All,

Hope everyone is feeling OK and not getting too stressed about Christmas.
Showed you a C&S card yesterday, so thought I would show something different today.  I bought this stamp off Ebay just before I went on holiday, so didn't get the chance to play with it, so although the cards are gone, I had to ink it up - I'm now ready for next year!!!
The papers were free with a craft mag, along with the sentiment. The image, which is Rubber Stampeed was stamped in Vintage Photo, masked and then  I stamped a music stamp,  then again on vellum.  Glamour Dusted his beard, Glitter flock on his eyebrows and Glossy Accents on his specs.
I am entering this card in:
  4 Crafty Chicks - Christmas Card
  Crafty Ribbons - Traditional Colours
  Cute Card Thursday - Stripes
  Paper Crafting Journey - Christmas
  Paper Play - Christmas
  ABC Christmas - Christmas
  Crafts & Me - Christmas
  Divas by Design - Christmas
  Crafting for All Seasons - Christmas
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Well that's it for now, thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Quick Christmas Card

Hi All,

The Christmas cards are posted, the tree is up, but somehow, I don't feel very Christmassy!  So, I thought I
would show a card I made a few weeks ago.  I have kept most of my cards quite simple this year as  they needed to be made early.
This one uses my all time old favourite Judikins Angels - Naughty & Nice, very simply coloured with Promarkers and GlamourDust. The die cut frame is a Mariann Corner die and quite easy to line up.
I am entering this card in the following:
  Bearly Mine Challenge - Un-Traditional - No Red or Green
  Paper Minutes - Clean & Simple & Mostly White
  Crafty Boots - Christmas
  Creative Stamp Friends - Christmas
  Cupcake Crafts - Don't look at the Light (Sparkle. Shine)
  Hooked on Craft - Christmas

Well, that's it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Mr Mojo has returned!

Hi All,

What a week, really desperate to craft and then found  Mr Mojo was still on holiday! Hopefully things are returning to normal, and crafting is now resumed.

I made this tag a while ago, and although I love making them, never feel quite sure about just sending a tag, so usually end up adding to a card. The tag on the tag is Crafty Individuals, and is coloured with DI Tattered Rose, the words are also CI. I used  Hero Arts French Writing on the main tag, which was again distressed with the same DI.  The papers are K & Co.  The butterfly(Inkylicious) was stamped on Vellum with Versamark and then sprinkled with Mica, I added the Mica powder to the swirl.  I stamped the words on the DP with Versamark and dusted with  the Bronze Mica and Perfect Pearls Interference Red, which didn't show up at all in the photo, so - here is the 'bad' photo which does show!

I am going to enter this in the following:
  Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
  Totally Papercrafts - Anything but Christmas
  Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
  DYSU - Anything Old
  Dutch Dare Challenge - Things With Wings
  Southern Girls - Ribbon
  Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes 

That's it for me, Mr Mojo wants to play, so can't disappoint.

Thanks for looking, hope you like it.

Avril xx

Dressmaking time at Fashionable Stamping Challenges

Hi All,

Well I am back after a lovely relaxing holiday, and hopefully I will be able to do some crafting later today as I am now suffering withdrawal symptoms from no crafting for over 2 weeks - wish I could take it all with me when I go on holiday - but would the plane be able to take off!!

Managed to complete my DT card for Fashionable Stamping before I went away and this  was a real pleasure to make, as I love vintage and sewing themes, which is the challenge this fortnight.  I distressed the base card with Tattered Rose, Spun Sugar and Antique Linen before Stamping with Hero Arts French Script, and the DressForms and Corset stamps from Crafty Individuals. The  bill head was also distressed with the same inks before being added to the card. The corsets and DressForm were then stamped again and cut out after being coloured with Distress Inks.  The ribbon started life as mauve, but after Domestos - it was the perfect shade!

I have just had a look at the cards over at FSC made by the DTs and there are some fabulous creations, so please pop over to be suitably inspired, and of course, there is always a fabulous prize on offer from our permanent sponsor, Marina of Cottage Crafts, and now there is a Saturday 'Spotlight' (I have lots to catch up on - holidays do interfere with crafting).

  I am also entering this card in Stamp & Create's challenge which is Vintage
    Make It Monday - Anything Goes
    The Ribbon Reel - Anything Goes
    Craft Your Days Away - Buttons or Bows
    Divas by Design - Anything Goes
    Fab & Funky - Anything Goes
    I Break for Challenges  - Vintage

Nearly forgot to mention - came home to find that I had won some of Brenda's Recycling candy.  Not only dose she have a great blog, but she is a very generous lady,  and if you haven't visited her, please do.

Well that's it for now, need to catch up on what has been happening in blogland!  Hope to see you soon.

Avril xx

White Christmas at Fashionable Stamping Challenges

Hi All,

Hopefully you are reading this and I am on my way to the sunshine in Sharm-el-Sheik!

The challenge this week over at Fashionable Stamping is 'White Christmas', that can be white cards, snow or snowflakes or or anything Christmassy! interpret it anyway you like, the choice is yours!
The girls on the Design Team have made some fabulous Christmas cards for inspiration, so please pop over and have a look, and of course we have our permanent Sponsor Marina of Cottage Crafts donating this weeks prize.

For my card I have used Gilding Flakes, and an IndigoBlu stamp.  I added a little glitter to the baubles, matted onto red and then a white card base.  It was a bit difficult to take a photo of, either too much glare and you couldn't see the detail of the stamp, or I lost the sparkle, which is really quite pretty.  The sentiment is HeroArts.

I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followers, thank you so much, I am really thrilled that you like my 'makes' enough to follow, and a BIG 'thank you' to everyone of you.

Thanks for looking,
Avril xx

Less Is More is Gold!

Hi All,

I am having such a busy week!   Made this card on Sunday, thought it would suit LIM as the theme is Leaves this week,   but haven't had a chance to upload until now and even now I'm dashing - off to help my Son move home!
I recently bought some Gilding flakes and Flitter Glu - and this was my first (almost - I'm not showing that one).  The Leafy Tree is an old one from Elisive Images (now Chocolate Baroque), and I have stamped using the Flakes.  The sentiment is Hero Arts. 

This will probably  be my last post, apart from my (hopefully) scheduled post for FSC on Sunday,   as we are off on holiday on Sunday for a couple of weeks of sunshine. I am not much of a sun worshiper as I hate to be too hot, but I do enjoy winter sunshine.

Thats it for now, but pleas pop back on Sunday for the new Challenge at FSC.

Thanks for looking

Avril xx

Late Again!!

Hello All,

Just a quick one - because I am late again with my card for LIM.  I played around with inks and stamps 'creating' various  masterpieces (who am I kidding), but just wasn't happy with them.  Then the light bulb went on and I thought of this very old Dolly Mama's stamp, there's a whole set of them  with various sayings, and we bought them when we first started crafting, I have 2 and my friend Diane has 2, and which one did I want to use,  yes - Diane's!!
So this was made tonight in our 'craft & natter' - took ages to colour with Promarkers, but its Red and Orange to fit the challenge at LIM.  The sentiment is from Rivercity Rubberworks, which just arrived in a little parcel today!

That's it for now, its almost past my bedtime.

Take care

Avril xx

Another Chrstmas Card to Share

Hi All,
Just a quick post tonight to show another of the 'batch' Christmas Cards.  I made something similar for a LIM challenge a few weeks ago, but just used the CI stamp. (kept it simple for LIM).  For this one I inked the background and matted onto silver. I stamped The Night Before Christmas text from Inkylicious, and inked again with DI, and lots of Stickles around the distressed edge.  The Jingle Bells stamp on the bottom was a 'freebie' from CI with my last order. The Snowflake is a Marianne die borrowed from my crafty friend Diane.
I am going to enter this card in:
  Papertake Weekly - First Christmas
  My Time to Craft - Sun ,Moon or Stars
  Partytime Tuesdays - Bling it On - anything Sparkly
  Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Christmas
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Just before I go, I would like to mention that  Dot  a very talented DT member from FSC is giving away her fabulous card from this weeks challenge, Dot is trying to get to 50 Followers, she is almost there, and if you pop by her blog, I am sure you will want to visit regularly, prepare to be inspired.

That's it for now,

Take card

Avril xx

Altered Poppy card

Hello All,
Thanks for all your well wishes and I'm pleased to say they worked - woke up Monday feeling OK, so I think the horrible cold for the day must have been the reaction from the Flu jab.
Is been a really dark and miserable day today, and although apart from lack of natural light, perfect to stay indoors and craft, I decided I had better tidy up my rather messy craft room - (spare bedroom) and do a bit of re-organising.  (That's because I couldn't find anything since finishing the Christmas cards).

So tonight, in a nice tidy room, I thought I would share this card, it started off as my DT piece for FSC 'Coffee & Cream' with coffee coloured poppy heads, BUT -  DH said 'Poppies have to be RED'.  So it was put aside for a couple of days, and as I liked the idea of the printed background, kept to the original idea but paper pieced the poppy heads after stamping in black and heat embossing with clear powder, and added a bow.  I also cut the card down and matted on to a red card base.
The poppies are Hero Arts and the text is the sentiment from Inkylicious.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
  Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes PLUS Brown
  Heart Song Inspirations - Anything Goes
  The Crafty Pad - Paper Piecing
  2 Sisters - Ribbon
  Allsorts - Anything but Square
  Challenge Up Your Life - Friendship
  Our craft Lounge - Distressed and Stressed
  Rainbow Lady's challenge - Remember with Poppies

Well, thats it for now, been on here too long. I'm still having poblems with my neck, but the weekly physio sessions are definitely helping, I'm not getting the pins & needles in my arms now and can move my neck more. One good thing from it, I don't do any lifting of shopping!!

Take care

Avril xx

Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Times Gone By

Its time for another Challenge at Fashionable Stamping, this time we would like you to think of 'Times Gone By',  there is some fabulous inspiration from the Design Team, so please pop over and take a look, you won't be disappointed.  There is also a gorgeous stamp to be won!

For my card I went with  Fashion  from Times Gone By.  I used a Crafty Individuals stamp, coloured with Promarkers, and  DI Spiced Marmalade for the followers and shading on the image. The tag is also from CI.l
The clock, ticket  and stamped corner Flowers were 'freebies' with my last order, that's one of the great things about ordering direct from CI, you get a little packet of 'freebies', I can't wait to ink them up and see what they are!  The DP is MME Lost & Found, there are some gorgeous papers in this pack.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Addicted to Stamps - Shabby/Chic/Vintage
  Dream Valley - Anything Goes

Just a quick post tonight, I had the Flu injection on Monday and just haven't felt great since and today I have started with the cold from h............!   hopefully it won't last.

I would like to say 'hello' to Stephanie my new follower, thanks for following.

Avril xx

Time to Share

Hi All,  now that I have finished making the Christmas cards, I must start and show them.  This is one of the last ones I made, it is probably a 'one off' - due to the fact that I stuck the matted image on the card upside down!!  So... it couldn't be wasted, hence the Easel card, inspired by the challenge at AllSorts this week which is Christmas Easel card.  The image is a new stamp, bought at the Purely Papercrafts show a couple of weeks ago, it is by IndigoBlu,  I heat embossed with Stamp-N-Stuff EP in Jeweled Gold, it really does have a great sparkle.  The snowflake corners are Clarity, the sentiment is an old one from Anitas.
Found a couple of other challenges for this card:

  4 Crafty Chicks - Die Cuts - its a Nesti scalloped oblong under the sentiment.
  For Your Inspiration - Photo - Black & Gold
  Stamp & Doodle - Embossing
  Always Something Creative - Must Sparkle
  The Craft Garden - Christmas - No Red or Green
  HeartSong Inspirations - Embossing/and or 3 layers
  One Stitch at a Time - Christmas
  Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Monochromatic

Before I go I would just like to say 'Hello' to Monica - my new follower, its lovely to see you, and thanks for following me.

I hope you all have a good weekend, weather forecast isn't too good, but it just might be perfect crafting weather!

Take care

Avril xx

Wishing on a Star!

                                        

Doesn't this make a change -   It's only Tuesday and my card is ready for LIM!!
The challenge this week is 'Stars' and I have used  Lavinia fairy and stars stamps that I am ashamed to say I bought at Harrogate in September and this is the first time they have seen ink!!  The sentiment is from an Inkylicious set.  All stamped in Black Memento with just a dash of Glamour Dust.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
  Bows & Berries  - CAS
  Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
  Dream Valley Challenge - Anything Goes

I had problems with my internet connection again last week, and its surprising how much time you make for crafting when there are no other diversions - I only have 3 more Christmas cards to make!!!  I have been in 'factory mode' at least 6 of each design, but they are done, in envelopes and the address labels on - just need stamps (big sigh), so it must be true - every grey cloud has a silver lining!

Thanks for looking, and I hope to catch up and visit soon.

Avril xx

Dotty for LIM!!

Hi All,

This week at LIM the theme is  -   POLKA DOTS

So for my little offering I have inked up a very neglected stamp, the image is by Stamps Happen and is one of the first stamps I bought!   For my 'Polka Dots' I paper pieced her jumper and added a strip of the same BoBunny paper down the size.  The rest of the image is coloured with Promarkers.  Didn't even need a sentiment!!

I am also entering this card in:
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
  Partytime Tuesdays - Anything Goes
  Papershelter challenge - Anything Goes
  Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

I would like to say 'Hello' to Vicky my new follower, Lovely  to see you!

Enjoy the rest of your week, and Thanks for looking

Avril xx

House Mouse Challenge - Fall

This is my second Spot as Guest Designer for the House Mouse Challenge Blog and the theme this fortnight is 'Fall', very appropriate for this time of the year.  The girls on the Design Team are a very talented group and have made some fabulous creations for your inspiration, so do please pop over to the blog and have a look, and hopefully you will join us. 

For my card I have used one of the unmounted Fall stamps from Joanna Sheen.  I stamped the image, coloured with Promarkers and used chalks for the sky.  I stamped and coloured a few extra leaves,and added some Glamour Dust, (the original stamp only has 3 falling leaves), there are also some smaller leaves in the set, so I stamped these onto the panel at the bottom.  I inked the base cardstock with Bundled Sage, Antique Linen, Tattered Rose and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:

  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
  Quirky Crafts - Autumn Leaves
  One Stop Craft - No Designer paper
  I Love Promarkers - Cute
  Little Red Waggon - Autumn

Coffee & Cream with a hint of Dark Chocolate

The Challenge this week at Fashionable Stamping Challenges is 'Coffee & Cream with a hint of Dark Chocolate' Mmmm!

So, we would like to see your stamped creations using Coffee and Cream with the option of Dark Brown or Black. and as usual there is a fab prize from Marina, at Cottage Crafts our sponsor.

For my card I have used 'Dandelion Wishes' set of clear stamps from Inkylicious.  I repeatedly stamped the sentiment on  cream cardstock in Antique Linen Distress Ink  I stamped it again on spare card in Vintage Photo, tor the edges and distressed using a combination of both. I stamped the Dandelions on a nesti cut from the same cream cardstock and again, distressed this.  I added Glamour Dust to the little seed heads.
For my hint of Dark Chocolate, I used a Dark brown card base and ribbon.

The Design ~Team have made some absolutely fabulous samples for you inspiration, so please pop over and check them out.

I am also entering this card in One Stop Crafts challenge - No Designer Paper
  Sugar Creek Hollow - Shades of Fall -(shades of brown)
  Totally Papercrafts - Layer on Layer (there are 3 layers here - I think that counts)
  Fab & Funky - Distressed or torn
  TopTip Tuesday - Layer It
  HeartSong Inspirations - Use Flowers/Felt
  Moving Along with the Times - Vintage

Late Again for LIM!

Well once again - Where has this week gone!

When I saw the challenge at LIM this week was 'Cocktails', I knew I had to use this digi image from Bugaboo, I bought the set, and have only used them once or twice,  but I must admit - I'm a bit basic when it comes to digi's I can re-size, but that's it!  I always need to print out and then layer, I can't do anything else with the image - note to self - I must learn!
I coloured with Promarkers, layered the images onto black and added Glamour Dust - so what took so long!
  I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
    http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/4Crafty Chicks - Colour It Up

This is just a quickie post as my Crafty Friend Diane is due - Craft and Natter night!

Thanks for looking, and Thank You for all the nice comments I have received lately, especially as I am still not spending too much time at the computer to leave many comments, but I am trying to catch up!


Avril xx

Sugar & Spice

A couple of weeks ago I entered Lexi's challenge for the first time and was so surprised when I won the Guest Designer spot!  The challenge this time was to use a sentiment and this cute 'Sugar & Spice' was the the one I picked. I thought it went so well with this Penny Black image, and to show the sentiment to its best, I thought  it had to be an easel card.  I made the roses after watching a few tutorials on UTube, but didn't add all the layers on the smaller one.
I am also entering this card in Craft Your Passions challenge - Double up in Pink
  Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
  Heart Song Inspirations - Use Flowers/Felt
  Sentimental Sundays - Fancy Folds

We have just returned from a long weekend in the Lake District, one of my favourite places, the Autumn colours were gorgeous, the first piccy is Rydal Water, the other is Lake Windermere, I always think this is a lovely time of the year - especially if you are lucky with the weather.

Thats it for now, thanks for looking.  Hope you all have a good week,

Avril xx

Less Is More

I think this must be the earliest I have entered LIM
I went to a small craft fair yesterday and one stall was selling Wood Backed rubber stamps for £1.00 each, and this was one of them! Perfect for this weeks challenge which is one layer and 'hearts'.
The stamp is All Night Media and I have coloured with Promarkers and added a little Glamour Dust. I did try a bow at the top, but wasn't too sure.
The Happy Anniversary stamp is straight - I promise - must be the way the card is lying for the photo.
I didn't have any heart stamps before yesterday, and now I have 2 - bought another which you may see later.
Just a short one tonight,
Thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Spooky Mouse!

Oh Lucky Me!  I am thrilled to have been offered a second GDT spot on the House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge, and of course I jumped at the chance, well....... which HM fan wouldn't!

For this fortnights challenge they would like to see Halloween/any or all of the colours Black/Orange/Yellow/Green.
I don't normally do Halloween cards,  and don't have any suitable stamps, so needed to improvise and it was a case of letting the imagination run wild, so to speak!  This is actually a cute stamp called 'Lip Stamp' (nice red lips on the stamp) but I changed it to vampire teeth and gave  him a cloak (coloured with Promarkers and added glitter)
The orange and green papers are from a handmade paper pack and I distressed all the edges with Walnut Stain DI.  Hand drawn spider and web - couldn't resist! Sentiment was computer.
Do have a look at the Blog as the Design Team have made some fabulous creations for you inspiration, and I really feel very privileged to work with these girls again.
Thanks for looking and I do hope you like my little offering - and you are inspired to enter this great challenge.
I am also entering this card in the following challenges
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
  Stamps & Fun = creativity - Halloween
  Victorine Stamps - Halloween
  One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
  Sparkles Forum - Halloween
  Challenge up Your Life - Halloween
  Scecret Crafter - Anything Goes as long as it Sparkles

Avril xx

Fashionable Stamping Challenge

The challenge this week at Fashionable Stamping Challenges is 'Anything but a Card' and this is a theme I haven't really ventured into, so it was a bit of a challenge for me as well!

I decided to make an Explosion Box - something that has been around for quite a while - but I have never done one. I have  usually seen them made with papers and embellishments, but as this is a stamping challenge - I decided on my trusty Hero Arts Script stamp and my new Inkylicious Butterfly stamp and of course Distress Inks. (Vintage Photo, Spun Sugar and Bundled Sage)

Its all very similar, but I tried to make the acetate butterflies look as if they were flying free from the box when it opened.
The sides of the box were embossed with Butterfly Swirl CB folder as is the panel on the top of the lid. I also stamped a butterfly and embossed with UTEE for the lid.  This was a difficult piece to photograph, so, sorry for the poor piccys.

The design Team have created some fabulous pieces of work for your inspiration, so please pop over to the FSC blog, I guarantee you will be amazed at their creativity.

I am also entering this in the following challenges:
  Stamping for the Weekend - Colours of Autumn
  Stamping with the Dragon - Fall Colours
  PaperPlay challenge - Autumn colours
  Pixie Dust - Anything but a Card

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Blue Lady

I'm late again for LIM who want to see the colour of your 'eyes'.
Well - mine are blue - so not much choice there!
The lady is by Inkadinkado and stamped in Adirondack Denim, her hat band is coloured with Denim Promarkers. I used blue chalk for a soft shading, matted onto dark blue and a computer sentiment!
I am liking my LIM cards now - just need to do the earlier in the week.
I am also entering this card in the 4CraftyChicks challenge - Monochromatic

Hope you all have a good week end. 

Thanks for looking,
Avril xx

Vintage - Again!

I am really going through a Vinage phase at the moment, I think its because after  my little spending spree at Harrogate last month, I was making room for the new stamps and began to look at all the neglected stamps, most of which were vintage - my first buys in the stamp world. 
This is 'Pearls & Plumes' by Hampton Art Stamps. she is coloured with Promarkers, I added Glamour Dust  to her feathered hat and pearls, this does look sparkly in real life  The embossed panel was stamped with a script stamp in weathered Wood Distress ink, then spritzed with water, embossed with CB folder and then distressed with  Weatherd Wood, Worn Lipstick and Fired Brick before rubbing some Metallic Rub-ons on the raised embossing.  I used the same DIs and rub ons on the swirls. The vellum layers is from last year's Papermania's  Silent Night, and has a lovely gold pattern printed on.  The flower which is old book pages and organza was cut with scalloped Nesties and spritzed with  Bronze Cosmic Shimmer
This started as just a short one tonight,  but I got carried away with the discription,  hope you are still with me!
I am entering this card in the following challenges.
  Make It Monday - As Always - Anything Goes
  Anything Goes - Die cuts/punches
  Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
  Fab & Funky - Die cuts/punches
  Simon Says - Sparkle & Bling
  Truly Scrumptious - Distressing
  Crafty Cardmakers -  Anythging Goes

I would just like to say 'Hello' to my new followers Paula and Lindsay -  Thanks girls, You have just brought the total to '70'  - and I am so thrilled - Thanks You All

This post has take 2 nights to do, thanks to the pins & needles I keep getting down my arm, due to the 'pain in the neck' so if I'm a little slow in paying visits, I hope you'll understand.

Thanks for looking,
Avril xx

House Mouse Christmas Sparkle

The challenge at House Mouse this fortnight is Christmas Sparkle, and after making 4 for the LIM challenge last week, my little pile is slowly growing - oops, that sounds terrible, but you know what I mean.

This image is called 'Stocking Full of Love' and even if you don't like mice, you have got to love these!
The papers are from the Artylicious CD, snowflakes Cuttlebug,  large one in glitter paper, and the little sentiment is Penny Black. I added lots of Glamour Dust and  Diamond Dust for the snow.
Again, a short post, you're probably thinking 'thank God - she sometimes prattles on!' but I am having problems with the disks in my neck giving me pins & needles in my arm - had my first physio session yesterday, and sitting at the computer isn't helping - but thankfully I can still craft, its better when I am moving as long as I don't turn my head!

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Cute Card Thursday - Animal Crackers
  Southern Girls - Anything Goes
  Inky  Impressions - Punches or Dies
  Scrapalicious - Anything Goes
  Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

That's it for now, hope you all have a good weekend.

Avril xx

Less is More - and just in time!

What beautiful weather we are having and it looks like it's set to last over the weekend, so we have to make the most of it, which for me has resulted in little time for crafting, however I did make my card for LIM last night when my 'crafty' friend Diane came over, we were both very productive as well as talkative!
This image is a Lavinia stamp borrowed from Diane, thanks, and the sentiment is computer generated.  I added Glamour Dust to her wings and a little bit of soft chalk for the background, matted onto black card and that was it - I am beginning to feel a lot easier with this challenge, but it has taken quite a while!

I am also entering into the Allsorts Challenge - Keep it simple
  Truly Scrumptious - CAS
  Sisterhood of Crafters - Silhouettes

That's it for looking, will be back later with another of last nights efforts.

Avril xx

Vintage Lady

Its catwalk time again over at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and  - … what would we like to see …


Well, we would love to see you cavorting onto the catwalk with all those stylish olde worlde, antiquee, shabby chiceee looking outfits, so our theme this fortnight is …
                                                         VINTAGE

For my little number -

I have used Rubber Stampeed  'Dreaming of You' which I stamped on to Acetate with black Stazon ink and on the reverse I dripped 'Johnsons Klear Floor polish, Twinkling H2O paints and some mica powder and glitter. Covered this with a single layer scrunched up tissue and left to dry for 24 hrs. She was then matted onto cream and then brown cardstock with brads. I stamped another butterfly which was coloured with Alcohol inks. The script is Hero Arts and the larger butterfly is from Inkylicous The background is Distress inks - Vintage Photo, Spun Sugar and Bundled Sage, and then a CI swirl stamped in gold. I do hope you like my little 'creation'.
The DT at FSC are a really talented group and have produced some amazing 'creations' for inspiration, so please pop over and pay them a visit, I promise you will not be disappointed . We would love to see you enter the challenge and there is a fab Retro stamp sheet for the Winner.

  I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
    Sweet Stampin - Anything Goes
    Polkadoodles - Distress
    Raise the Bar - Things with Wings
    Crafting for all Seasons - Fall Colours
    Marks Finest Paper - Things with wings
    Just some Lines - Fall Colours
    Art Impressions - For the Girls
    Scrapbook Sisters - Autumn colours

I would just like to say 'Hello' to my new follower Lynne, great to see you there!

That's it for now, and thanks for looking, and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Avril xx

LIM - No 4

This is the end of last night 'productive play' and another Christmas card in the box as well as another for LIM - 1000 cards!
This is a PSX stamp and I coloured the holly and red bows using the fine nibs for the Promarkers - great for detail like this. Matted onto silver and lots of Glamour Dust. The sentiment is Hero Arts.

 I am also entering this card in:
  The Paper Variety challenge- Home

That's probably it for me for today and I am looking forward now to looking at the fab cards already entered.

Thanks for looking,

Avril xx

LIM - No 3

Back again to help swell the numbers - I noticed when I linked the last card  to the LIM challenge some folks have added 10!  I  think thats an amazing response to the challenge.

This card is using a Crafty  Individuals stamp - stamped onto pearlised card, matted onto black glitter paper, a little Glamour Dust, and a CB embossed card.

I am entering this card in Paper Shelters challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks again for looking.

Avril xx

LIM - No 2

A good crafting night last night, and another for the LIM challenge - hope you get the 1000!
I  bought these two little angels  (Judikins)  for the first Christmas Cards I made and they have re-surfaced every year in one form or another, great for LIM cards.

I am also entering this in:
  Little Miss Muffet Challenge - Things with Wings
  Rainbow Lady's Challenge - White Space
  Flutterby  Wednesday challenges - Anything goes (with wings) 

Thanks for looking

Avril xx

Less Is More

This is just a quick posting to 'add' my card for the LIM challenge this week which is
                   Now we are going for the 1000 submissions.
                                                       so
                                           Anything CAS Goes
I have had quite a busy week 'socialising' and have had a 'girly' shopping day with a friend - coffee/lunch/not ot mention the shopping. I am now dashing to tidy up the mess I made last night  - lots of bits in progress, but only  this card to show - before my friend Diane comes over to play!  Depending on how much talking and how much crafting gets done - I might have another one to post.

I am also enering this card in:
  Crafty Ribbons challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking

Avril xx

House Mouse 3rd Birthday

No internet for a week!  Its amazing just how much we rely on it now, and only 20 years ago it didn't exhist. Normal life can now resume - after 2  new  modems and a 'Virgin' man.  There was a good side though - no blogging  meant more crafting time!  I made quite a number of cards, and this House Mouse was one of them, it is for the 3rd Birthday of the HM Challenge, where the theme is - you guessed - Birthday - with the option of flowers,  there is a 'blog hop'  and some the original DT have joined in to celebrate, so if you have any HM stamps, join in.
I have used   Cupcake Birthday with Mudpie & Muzzy  image and coloured with Promarkers. The pink embossed Birthday is cut from a CB Birthday folder. Papers are 'snippets' from stash.
I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Daring Cardmakers - Birthday (they have a fab prize of a Funky Hand Papercraft CD)
  Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
  Lexi's Creations - Card for a Child
  Stamp with Fun - Anything Goes
  Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Birthday

I would just like to say 'HELLO' to my new follower Craftin Suzie.

Well that's it from me - I'm off on a blog hop!

Avril xx

New Goodies - So - Less is More

I hope you all had a good weekend and these horrible winds haven't done any damage to anyone.

I  am very fortunate and have had a lovely weekend.  On Saturday I went to Harrogate Papercrafts Show with friends Diane and Michell and had a great day.  It was lovely to meet up again with Christine and Lisa and also to make some new acquaintances - Joan and Maureen.
DD came home on Saturday, just a short visit, and went back today, so although I was itching to 'play' with the new goodies, I was banned from crafting while she was here!  After she left, the first thing I did was make a card!  and decided I would be early with my Less Is More card.
The stamps and sentiment are from the same Inkylicious set and I have stamped the dandelion twice in DI Bundled Sage, I cut a nesti oval in a 6 x 6 card and used this as a mask and although the colours look completely different, the oval is sponged with the same ink!  I added a sprinkling of Glamour Dust to the floating seed heads, didn't think it needed anything else - unusual for me! - think I might be getting there Mandy & Chrissy?

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
  Crafting When We Can - Anything Goes
  One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
  Dream Valley Challenge - Photo Inspiration

I would just like to say a huge 'HELLO'  and THANK YOU to my new  and  'old'  followers and I will be round to visit you.

That's it for now, and I hope everyone stays safe in these dreadful winds tonight.

Fashionable Stamping Challenges - A Tag

Well Girls, its that time again for my little walk down the catwalk at Fashionable Stamping  Challenges.  The theme this time is a 'Tag' - and you should have a look at the fabulous tags the other DT members have made for your inspiration.
I haven't ventured into the world of tags previously, yes I have added a tag to a card, but that seemed different to actually making a stand alone tag, but really, once I started, it was just like adding all the bits to a smaller card,  don't know why I haven't done this before!
For my tag I used an ordinary postage label, stamped the Eiffel Tower,  masked it and stamped the Post card, both from the Royal Langnickel French Travel stamp set. I drew a line and stamped Hero Arts French Writing to one side of this before removing the mask. The little Paris tag, from the same set, was stamped onto spare card and I added an eyelet. These were all sponged with DI inks Vintage Photo and Tatted Rose. I used Clarity's Sketchy  Lady and stamped her onto spare card, paper pieced her dress and hat and just coloured her skin, I added foam pads just to 'lift' her. The swirl  was sponged with Vintage Photo and is cut from  a Marianne die. To finish I added a scrunched flower and pale blue organza ribbon.
Well I hope you like my 'little number'  and are tempted to  pop over and browse the inspirations on the catwalk of Fashionable Stamping Challenges. I hope you join us this time as there is a fabulous prize on offer from out sponsor Marina from Cottage Crafts.

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:
  Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
  Challeng up Your Life - Paper Piecing
  Allsorts - Flowers & Swirls
  Just Us Girls - Text
  Addictied to Stamps - Anything but a Card
  Paperplay - 2 or more stamped images

Thats it for now, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Avril xx

Less Is More

The challenge at Less Is more this week is -
 It's the first Saturday of the month and so we have a colour themed challenge once more and this time it is
                                                          METALLIC
We'd like to see CLEAN & SIMPLE cards with something that has a METALLIC finish to it... ink, embossing, card, charms, actual metal... come on people let's get creative -

This is a very different card for me for the LIM - it's black, I usually play safe and stick to white!
I have used the large and small Clarity Swirls, inked with Versamark and stamped onto a black cardstock that has a matt and shine appearance. I then brushed the image with LuminArte Metallic Mica - Bronze powder. I used a matt dull gold card for the mount. The sentiment was made in the same way. This was then layered onto a matt black for the card.
I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
  Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
This is a short post - but didn't want to miss this challenge - I know there will be some fabulous entries this week and I will have time tomorrow night to look and be inspired.
I would like to say 'hello' to my new followers and I hope to catch up with you tomorrow.
That's it for now,

Avril xx

House Mouse - 'The Ultimate Recipe'

The Challenge over at House Mouse & Friends this time is a ' recipe'. Not the usual card recipe where they tell you what to use - Oh no, this one is to include a recipe on you card!
There are some fabulous inspirational cards from the DT and some great sounding recipes with cute 'foodie' meeces.  I did think about using my 'Chocolate Truffle' stamp,  but this is one HM stamp that takes a lot of colouring, unlike most of the others I have and time is a bit short at present  so I decided on a 'different' kind of recipe - A Recipe for Relaxation and used Relaxing Bubbles with Bumble.
I have used Dawny P's sketch over at Papertake Weekly, I paper piece the bathtub and her arm, and she is coloured with Promarkers, I added Glitter flock and Glamour Dust for the bubbles.  The papers are from an old Laura Ashley set.  My 'recipe' is all my own work!!  printed out then cut with a nestie label. The flowers were cut from pages of an old book which was on its way to the Charity Bag, inked and cut with a scalloped circle nestie, bits of net and ribbon, all scrunched and held together with a brad, then spritzed with mica spray.
I am also entering this card in the following Challenges:
  Moving Along with the times - Handmade flowers
  Poodles Parlour - Animal Antics
  Aud Sentiments - Sentiment for a Girl
  DUSU - Friendly Critters
  Some Odd Girl - Paper Piecing
  Oldie but a Goodie - Sparkle

I would like to say 'hello' to my new followers - I can't believe I actually have 61!!  I remember when I started blogging and I got my first 'follower'  I couldn't wait to tell my family.  Now  there's '61' , all I can say to that is WOW!! and Thank You.

Its a miserable afternoon here after a promising start, so, I'm glad we went out early this morning ,which leaves me with nothing to do this afternoon but craft and I need to make a Starting School card for my Godson, going to see his uniform tomorrow!

That's it for now and I hope the weather is better where you are and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Avril xx

Less is More

The challenge at Less is More this week is a Recipe - a combination of any 3 previous challenges. So plenty of options as the challenge has reached week       
For my choice I have picked 3 squares - Week 4, Embossing - Week ,and a touch of Red -  Week 9.  I decided to use this Woman in the Hat, by Rubber Stampeed, she was one of the first stamps I bought and hasn't seen ink for some time!
I matted the  3 images onto red cardstock and embossed the with love in the right-hand top corner (no choice about this as the folder only works 1 way ( I have thought about cutting it open and sticking  the other end but most cards I make have the fold on the left, so it stays as it is).  Easy Peasy, card done - then I wondered about colouring her necklace red or the ribbons on the hat, but thought this might be more than 'a touch' so have left well alone. (it might get done before sending)
I see that the challenge has it the 1,000 followers - Well Done Chrissy and Mandy!  This challenge takes me out of my comfort zone, but it is addictive and I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks like this.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Ooh La La - No backing paper
  Stamps R Us - Anything Goes
  Make It Monday - As Always - Anything Goes

I would like to say 'hello' to my new followers, and I'm glad to say Mr Blogger didn't keep them too long.

Just thought I mention -I didn't get made redundant last week as 'rain stopped play' again, but after my  'interfeering again' this morning, DH says I might be!   I have started calling it the 'Winter House' cause there's not much summer left, it feels  like Autum.

Thats it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Latest News !!!

Well girls, I can now tell you my latest news! I am absolutely thrilled to have been invited to join the fabulous Design Team at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and become a 'Fashionette' !!!  This is  an extremely talented team, so please pop over to the challenge blog and see their amazing creations.           

For my first outing on the catwalk I created this little blue number ........

For my card I used K&Co papers, the image is a Crafty Individuals, that I have had for a couple of weeks and this is the first 'inking'.  I stamped the bill head on a cream tag, masked and then overstamped  Hero Arts Old French Writing, I stamped the heading again and on cream card and cut out with a nestie label.  I used Walnut Stain DI for the stamping and distressed with a combination of Vintage Photo and Tattered Rose. I paper pieced the corset bodices and parasol from scraps in the same pad. The  lace flowers were cut from an old lace collar and inked with Adirondack Denim ink.  I haven't added a sentiment, because I didn't want to cover all the swirls on the paper!
Well , I hope you like my first 'exhibit' on the catwalk of stamping and that I have encouraged you to pop over to see the fabulous show of inspiration from the rest of the Team.

I am also going to enter this card in the following challenges:
  Just Add Ink - Something from stash - Old lace collar
  Some Odd Girl - Paper piece
  Craft Us Crazy  - Anything Goes
  Phindy's Place - Mak your own embellishments
  Papercrafting Journey - Anything Goes
  Fab & Funky - Mono Madness
  Crafts & Me - Lace

Well that's it for now - have a great week -end and I hope the sun shines for you.

Avril xx

Enjoy the Ride!

Well, another week  has just whizzed by - helping DH (my new job as 'Gofer' on the Summer House - almost got the sack for interfering last week - I wish!)  - but its looking good and almost finished,   and in my spare time I've managed to do a bit of housework.! Oh and I  gave myself a day off and met up with friends for coffee- but very little crafting I'm afraid. I am hoping to be redundant this week-end and then normal service can be resumed - unlike Mr Blogger who has lost my followers again!!

I did manage to make a card last night while DH was at work, at least that's what he call the Youth Club!

Its for the Less is More challenge, which this week is 'Things that Move'.  This is the second card, not too sure if the first is LIM - will think about it.  This was one of the first stamps I  bought, (my Son still loves his mountain bike(s) yes, he has more than one and both very expensive!) and I used this stamp for the first birthday card I made him, and the last! I can't remember who made it. I have just stamped the image, matted with black and added brads, did some soft chalking and that's its, very LIM!! The sentiment was made on the computer.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Cards for Men - Anything Goes
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Thats it for tonight, thanks for looking and if you find my followers, please send them back to me

Avril xx

Less is More

The challenge at Less is More this week is to use inks - on a One Layer Card!
I have had a few ideas using one of the new stamps I bought from Crafty Individuals at the beggining of the week, but its been a busy week and haven't had a chance to do anything until now. This stamp was a 'freebie' I received in my "delivery" and I stamped it onto some scrap papers to see exactly what the image was, I am not really into birds for cards, but when I saw this image stamped, the idea for the card was there.
I have used my brayer before, but only a couple of times and then just for blue skies, and although I watch Barbara Grey on Create&Craft, I haven't really played with it!  I used Distress Inks Tattered Rose and Spiced Marmalade for the sky and Walnut stain on the hills.  Because this image was smaller than I wanted, I drew a frame with a Black Embossing Pen and then heat embossed with clear powder (I have seen Barbara G do this - so I can't take any credit for this idea).  I did the same frame around the sentiment.  This card is a 5" x 7" as I felt the image suited an oblong card and a DL was too long and thin!
This is a different type of card for me, and I really enjoyed doing it, so Thanks Chrissy & Mandy for the challenge - LIM really does take me out of my comfort zone, and I am starting to like the cards I make.  I will tell you a little secret - some of the cards have been 'altered' (or binned) after the challenges .

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
  Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
  Try It On Tuesdays - Anything Goes
  The Stamp Man - Anything Goes with summer colours

That's it for now, thanks for looking and if you like what you see, please leave a comment and I can come and visit you.

Avril xx