Surprise Us!

Hi Folks,

Well I hope you all had a good Christmas and if you were good, got lots of lovely new stash!  I must have been very good this year - lots of new stash, which I've been dying to try out,  but haven't had much crafting time.
The theme this fortnight at Fashionable Stamping is 'Susrprise Us'   and my surprise was that I had a couple of hours on Friday night to make my DT card, but unfortunately, it has rained since (for a change) and I've really struggled to take a decent picture.
I've used new Katzelkraft stamps, so a good excuse to go all girly and pink!
The lady is stamped in Onyx Black Versamark, coloured with Tattered Rose Distress Marker, and the background is DI's. The frame , which was cut with a Nesti, was coloured with Victorian Velvet and then heat embossed with Silver Pearl EP.
The background  is a mixture of Katzelcraft and Inkylicious stamps, which were stamped with a Memento black inkpad for a slightly faded look.
My fabulous teamies were a bit more organised than me and will really surprise you with their creations, so please pop over here to be 'surprised'!!!
And don't forget - we are sponsored by Marina of Cottage Crafts who will be offering the winner a €7 gift cert to spend in the online store.

Before I go, I would like to wish you all a Very Happy New Year,  and hoping that 2013 will be a lot sunnier so we can all take good photographs!!!

I am going to enter this in:
  In the Pink - Pink & Pearlie
  Totally Gorjuss - New
  Stampin for the Weekend - Anything Goes
  Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Thats it for me until next year, thanks for - looking,  your very much appreciated comments and your continued support and friendship.

Avril xx

Christmas Greetings

To All My Lovely Friends and Followers,

I would just like to wish you All a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for all your visits and continued support during this  last year, it really means a lot to me.

Best Wishes to you all.

Avril xx

Mask It

Hi Folks,

Well I'm back after a lovely sunny holiday, it was really nice to wake up to sunshine every day for 2 weeks,
but its back to reality now, and a catch up on Christmas!
Back to reality also means another challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and this time its 'Mask It'.
This can be using masks or stencils as well as masking techniques with rubber stamps.
I have used both on my card, I started with a Tando Music mask with Tattered Rose and Bundled Sage DI, and then over the top I used and Imagination Leaf Swirl mask with the same inks.  For the stamped panel I used IndigoBlu 'Music Hall'. The lady was stamped and masked then I stamped with the Music hall poster and then masked that before random stamping with the music score.  The sentiment is also from the same set.
I made the card before I went on holiday, but didn't take a photo and since returning home the days have been so dark I have really struggled to get a decent photo and this looks a bit 'green' no matter what I do!
The rest of the DT have some wonderful creations for your inspiration, so please pop over here to take a look, and don't forget, we are as usual sponsored by Cottage Crafts and the winner will receive a €7  to spend in their online store.

Now that the washing and ironing is done, Christmas Tree is up and the cards are all posted, I hope to start catching up and finding out what you have all been up to!
Thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Lets Get Inky at Try it on Tuesdays

Hi Folks,

Its time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesdays and this time its 'Inky'.

I don't know about you, but I love playing with inks and just seeing where it take me, and this tag was no different.  I started with a white tag and used Tim's Marbled Stains technique, using Iced Spruce and Picket Fence and because I don't as yet have the Metallic stains I used a few sprays of Perfect Pearls which gave a gorgeous simmer in places.  I then started stamping the snowflake, first with Picket Fence, then Silver Paint Dabber, followed by PaperArtsy Snowflake Fresco Finish. Silver homemade Frantage for a sparkly border.



The next layer is Vellum, again stamped with the snowflake, first in Iced Spruce then Snowflake Fresco. This was then put through a crimper, before adding silver embossing. To give depth, I used an ink duster on the reverse, first with Evergreen Bough and then Festive Berries.  The main image is Inkadinkado, stamped on white card, coloured with DIs and Stickles, and again a silver embossed border.  The fivers were stained with Festive Berries and Evergreen Bough - you should have seen my hands - must remember to wear rubber gloves!!

I hope you will join us and show us your inkyness and if you need any inspiration, please pop over here to sew the rest of the DT's inky offerings.

Again a scheduled post - I hope everyone is well and safe.

Avril xx

To Die For!

Hi Folks,

To Die For!  Yes, that's the new Challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges, and we would love to see either Diecuts or Punches on your creations, and don't forget our lovely sponsor, Marina of Cottage Crafts is offering the lucky winner a €7 Gift voucher to spend in her online shop.

For my card, I have used this lovely image from Rubber Stampeed which is a recent EBay purchase. I have coveted this stamp for a long time, not knowing the name until my DT sister Yvonne used it a few weeks ago and gave me the info( thanks Yvonne)  - and after a quick search on EB - there it was just waiting for me! 

The image was stamped and given just a light shading with Tattered Rose DI and used the ink and a waterbrush to paint her lips. The sentiment is Tim Holtz.  My Diecut frame was distressed with the same ink.
The papers are Prima Botanical (free with a recent mag). Flowers TH Tattered floral die, and distressed with Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet, and a Marianne Swirl.

I hope you will join us and if you need any inspirations, please pop over here and see the fabulous creations from the rest of the DT.

This is a scheduled post, and hopefully I am enjoying some much needed sunshine, something lacking in the UK lately.  I hope you are all safe and the weather isn't too unkind to you.

Thanks for looking.

Avril

Autumn Lady

Hi Folks,

The last week at Make My Monday's Autumn theme is Buttons and Ribbon, so for me, a feminine Autumn card.
The image is  Kanban, not sure of the name as it was borrowed from my crafty friend Diane, coloured with Promarkers and distressed with Vintage Photo and Walnut stain ink. The base card, was coloured with Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade DIs and then randomly stamped with an old Anita's leaf stamp in the same inks, plus Vintage Photo. The seam binding ribbon was coloured with a mix of DIs. and finished with an antique button, the co'ordinations backing was embossed with a CB script folder.  The Design Team have come up with some stunning creations as usual, so please take a look here, I'm sure you wont be disappointed.

It has been a pleasure working with the ladies from Make My Monday, and I look forward to entering their challenges again in the New Year.  If you're still with me, you are probably wondering whats wrong with the December challenges!  Nothing..........its just that I'm off on holiday for 2 weeks on Wednesday, so apart from scheduled DT posts, this is it for now.  I must admit, I'm a bit stressed, we didn't organise this until a couple of weeks ago, so I have been in overdrive getting everything done before I go away, hence the poor blogging of late!

I am entering this is:
  Crazy 4 Challenges - Put a Bow on it
  Stampin for the Weekend - Texture - Embossed background
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes
  Gingerloft - Leaves (background)

Thanks for looking, see you in a couple of weeks.

Avril xx

Sparkly TioT

Hi Folks,

It's time for a new challenge over at Try it on Tuesday and this time we would love to see your 'Sparkly Christmas' creations, and don't forget, for our month of November, we are sponsored by Crafty-embelies
who are offering our monthly winner a £10.voucher.

I don't know about you, but I do like sparkly and bling at Christmas, so I decided this holly swirl from Elusive Images (now Chocolate Baroque) would look good in Gilding Flakes, and as I make all my Christmas cards, easy enough to do a small batch. Picture factory mode - CB on knee when watching TV and embossing with Swiss Dots - long strip of card repeatedly stamped with Greeting - gold EP over whole sheet, heat emboss. Flitter Glue and Flakes (everywhere) the hardest part of that bit is using the stamp too many times - but I must say the stamp cleaner is good!
If you need inspiration for your Christmas Sparkle, please pop over here and have a look at the gorgeous creations my teamies have on show.

I am entering this in :
  Gingerloft - A Touch of Gold
  Crafty Catz - Lets have Sparkle
  Christmas Card Challenges - Double Embossing
  The Paper Players - Silver/Gold
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Thats it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Autumn Supplies - Vellum at MMM

Hi Folks,

Its the 3rd week of the Autumn Supplies over at Make my Monday and this week the challenge is to use Vellum.

I've kep this quite simple as I didn't want to distract from this lovely Stampscape image wich was stamped onto the vellum using Stazon.  The leaves were also stamped on vellum but with Distress Inks and heat dried.

The DTs have as usual some fabulous inspiration for you, so please pop over here to take a look.

I am entering this in:
  One Stop Crafts - Monochrome Tones
  ATCs & Cards with Attitude - Autumn
  The Squirrel and the Fox - Anything Goes


Thats it for now,

Avril xx

Christmas Home Sweet Home for Fashionable Stamping

Hi Folks,

Its time for another challenge over at Fashionable Stamping and this week it's   Home Sweet Home. My teamies have again excelled themselves and created a wonderful variety of 'Home' themes, so please do pop over here and take a look.  We are again sponsored by the lovely Marina of Cottage Crafts who will will give our winner a €7 voucher to spend in her online shop.

For my card, I  used one of the new Christmas stamps from Stampendous. I stamped  on to a shaped card, distressed the image with Vintage Photo, masked the image and used the free stamp from this months Craft Stamper  for the Snowflake border, and stamped in Iced Spruce, which was also used for the shading. I stamped again and  coloured with Promarkers and DIs added Diamond Dust, which gives a lovely crunchy sparkle, which of course, doesn't show in the photo, and attached with 3D foam.

I don't know about you, but I do try to make all my Christmas cards, so there was a little batch of this one!

I am entering this card in:
  4 Crafty Chicks - Winter
  Everybody Art - Oval shape
  Its All about the Vintage - Snow
  Joanna Sheen - Cold & Frosty
  The Crafty Pad - Christmas

That's it for now, hope to catch up with you later- had such a hectic week I haven't managed many visits, so I need to see what you've been up to!

Avril xx

Stitching for MMM

Hi Folks,

This is my second week as GDT over at  Make My Monday, where the theme this month is Autumn Supplies and this weeks challenge is Stitching - Real or Faux. This months  sponsor is Vee Cassidy who is offering  a £10 voucher to spend in Joanna Sheens online shop
Stitching and cardmaking usually means 'layers' to me, so I decided to go with Layers of Autumn colours, from misty mornings to vibrant sunsets.  The stamps, used on all layers were Tim Holtz and Inkylicious, stamped in Black Versafine and Distress inks.  The sentiment is Inkylicious.

The Design Team have, as usual, some fabulous creations, giving plenty of inspiration, to please pop over here and take a look, you won't be disappointed

I am entering this in:
  Corrosive Challenges - Flutter By
  Stampin for the Weekend - Stitching
  Make my Monday - Anything Goes
  Paper Playtime - Autumn Colours

That's it for now, apart from saying 'hello' to my new followers, its lovely of you to join me on my crafting journey.

Avril xx

Memories at Try It On Tuesdays and a DT Call

Hi Folks,
Time for a new challenge at Try It On Tuesday and this time its Memories, and for the month of November we have a fabulous new sponsor,  Crafty Embellies

who are offering our November winner a £10 voucher to spend in their on-line store.

Also, don't forget we are having a DT Call, which is open until 20th November, so if you're interested, please add DT after your name in the linky.

For my card - Memories had to be vintage, well nothing new there I here you say!
My card base I used Tim's Marbled Stains technique using Picket Fence, Old Paper,Tattered Rose and Worn Lipstick Distress Stains and then stamped with Inkylicious Vintage Script Create a Collage stamps.  The main image is TH, as is the film strip, stamped onto acetate. My flower is a TH Tattered Floral die, coloured with distress inks, the gauze (bandage) was dyed with the left over inks from the card base.

  I am entering this in
  Its all about the Vintage - Make your own background
  The Pink Elephant - Favourite colouring medium - mines always inks
  Eclectic Ellapu - Its a Vintage thing
  No Matter which Challenge - Photo insp.
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes

That's it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

GDT spot at MMM

Hi Folks,
I was really thrilled when the lovely people at Make My Monday asked me to do a Guest spot for the month of November.

The theme this month is Autumn, and this weeks challenge is Kraft and String.
For my card I used a cream watermarked carkstock and used a Papermania stamp, (borrowed from my crafty friend Diane - don't know about you, but its alsways great to ge your hands on someone elses stash) .  I masked this and over stamped a script in Frayed Burlap. I stamped the same image on a Kraft tag, again masking and using the same script. I then stamped the image in spiced marmalade, used a nesti to cut the circle and added using foam pads.  Flower is made from TH Tattered floral die, stamped in Spiced marmalade and spritzed with Glimmer mist.

The team at MMM have some fabulous makes to show so please pop over here to take a look, and this week they have a wonderful sponsor who is offering a £10. voucher for Joanna Sheens on line store.

I am entering this is

  Heck of a Challenge - 50 Shades of Autumn
  Come and Get It - Monochrome
  Gingerloft - No colouring (mines all ink)
  PaperPlaytimes - Shades of Autumn
  ABC - Tic Tac Toe (Brown cardstock/Fall Theme/Twine)

Had a great day at the Papercrafts show,met up with a couple of blogging pals - and some real bargains as well!

Thanks for looking.

Avril xx

It's Musical at Fashionable Stamping

Hi Folks,

Well another two weeks have just whizzed past,  and time for another challenge at Fashionable Sstamping Challenges.  This time we would like to see Music on your cards, and if your need any inspiration, the DT have as usual surpassed themselves with creativity, so please pop over to FSC  to take a look.     Also, our sponsor - Cottage Crafts will give the winner a €7 gift certificate to spend in their online shop.
I decided I should really start my Christmas cards - so a good opportunity to use an old favourite.  My image, Santa Collage from Rubber Stampede, was stamped with Faded Jeans Distress Ink, masked and then overstamped with a music script, Santa's face was coloured with Promarkers and I applied Glossy Accents to his glasses.  Jingle Bells is a Crafty Individuals little freebie. The background is blue cardstock stamped with a Penny Black snowflake, and heat embossed in Bright White  WOW EP. The backing is a CB Embossing Folder borrowed from my crafty friend Diane, and of course it wouldn't be Christmas without glitter, so snowflakes and Santa's beard  have a good coating of Glamour Dust.

I am entering this in:

  Delicious Doodles - Embossing
  Ladybug Crafts - Monochrome/Tonal
  Live and Love Crafts - Christmas
  WOW Embossing Powders - Christmas
  Stamping Sensations - Traditional Christmas
  Hooked on Crafts - Christmas - no red or green
  Divas by Design - Feeling Festive

That's it for me - must dash, I'm off to a Papercrafts at Nisssan, Sunderland this morning ,where I hope to catch up with a couple of blogging buddies.  Life has returned to normal now that the Save the you know whats are done, so I hope to catch up with what you've all been up to, later today.  Before I go, I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followers, and thank you all for your visits lately, especially when I have had so little time  to return the visit.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, I think I just might!

Avril xx

Feminine/Romance for MMM

Hi Folks,

Just had a little break from the last of the 'Save the Dates'  (I need to do this as otherwise they would get boring!) - nothing to do with the fact that I needed to do a card for the last week of the French theme at Make My Monday and this weeks challenge is Feminine/Romance. 
I have stayed with a vintage theme and I have used a Justrite Stamp on a 6" x 8" card..  My base card, which started life as cream hammered cardstock,was distressed around the edges and then stamped in Pumice Stone with the TH Papillion script, before adding the image, which was matted onto gold.  The ribbon was heat distressed, I used Frosted Lace stickles on an extra stamped image of the butterfly. The 'stamp' was coated with Glossy Accents.

I would also like to enter this at:
  Pink Elephant - Vintage/Shabby Chic
  Addicted to Stamps- Things with Wings (Butterfly)
  Sugar Creek Hollow - Vintage with Text
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes

As I said, just a quick post - back to the 'grind'

Before I go, would like to say 'hello' to my new followers - hope to visit soon!

Avril xx

Buttons and Bows

Hi Folks,

A bit late - but this is my entry for In the Pink where the challenge this time is Buttons and Bows.  My tag background was stamped with Versamark and embossed with White EP,  and then I used Paris postmark and a script with Bronze EP before applying Distress Inks. It was then given a good spritz with Bronz PP. The Dress Form was embossed with a Swiss Dots folder, inked and then spritzed with PP, it does have a gorgeous sparkle ! The buttons were die cut and coated with Glossy Accents.
I've been intending to take a photo of this tag all day, and then suddenly realised at 4.15 it would be dark soon - it does take a few days to get into the routine of darker nights - but on the plus side, I did take this fab photo of the sunset. (lots of pink on here too)!

I am also entering this in:
  Dream Valley Challenges - Glitter & Bling
  Sugar Creek Hollow - Text (I hope French text counts)
  Frosted Designs - Paints/Mists/Inks
  Hotshots - Bling

Thats it for now, and I know I've been a very poor blogger lately, but the Save the Dates are nearly finished, and normal service should resume - for a while!  Before I go, I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followeres - lovely to see you.

Avril xx

Tricoleur at MMM

Hi Folks,

Well there's another French themed challenge over at Make My Monday and this time its  TRICOLEUR,
Blue, Whie and Red.
I actually made my card last week following the theme in the sidebar, and when I saw the fabulous DT samples - I thought my card was a bit similar, but due to lack of time and imagination, I can't come up with anything else!! So there it is.  Its a long time since I followed a particular challenge and I didn't want to miss completing the month.

The main image is a PaperArtsey mini, bought at GNP, (I also used this in the Vintage card a couple of weeks ago,without colour)  and the background is from the TH Papillion set, flower is Tattered floral die, again stamped with the script.  All inking is with Faded Jeans and Barn Door DIs.

Thats it for now, as its back to the  'Save the Date'  production line!

Avril xx

Halloween for Softies

H Folks,

The challenge over at Try it on Tuesday is Halloween -  and although there are some fabulous stamps around, I don't have any - think I must rectify this!

So my take on Halloween this year has been 'un-spooky' to say the least!

For this tag I have used a Lavinia image of a witches washing line, left while she went off the the Party. (Well you have to have a good imagination for Halloween)

I used my brayer for the reflective image and the little scene was made with Distress inks.  The moon is Clarity Stamps, birds Tim Holtz.

For some 'good' inspiration, check out the fabulous makes from the rest of the team here, you wont be disappointed, and while you are there - check out the news - Try it on Tuesdays are having a DT Call.
If you are interested, enter the  challenge and put DT after your name, its as easy as that!

Before I go I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followers and thank you to everyone who visits, I really do appreciate it.

I am entering this at
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes
  Hooked on Crafts - Halloween
  The Pink Elephant - Halloween
  Dream Valley Challenges - Halloween

Avril xx

Halloween at Fashionable Stamping

Hi folks, and a very warm welcome to my new followers, lovely to see you.

Its time for another new challenge at Fashionable Stamping, and this time we would like to see Halloween or Halloween colours on your project.  We are as usual sponsored by Marina of Cottage Crafts, and the winner will receive a gift cert to spend in their shop.

I chose to go with  colours and used Peeled Paint, Wild Honey, Weathered Wood and Dusty Concord on my tag. My moon was also stamped with Weathered wood.  The image is from Kanban's Jasper Steampunk set and coloured with Promarkers.  The grasses are from IndigoBlu Poppy Meadow.  I did stamp the Dress Stand, but unfortunately it was 'lost' in the grasses, so a quick improvise with the base of the TH Dress Form (makes her look like she's got thick legs -and a bit off centre in the photo, but I've just checked -  and they do line up on the tag)  Sentiment and birds are Tim Holtz.
My teamies have made some fabulous Halloween projects, so please do pop over to FSC and check them out.

I am entering this at:
  Challenge up your Life - Autumn/Halloween
  Stampin for the Weekend - Something Spooky
  Craftymess - Halloween
  Heck of a Challenge - Spooktacular
  Live & Love Crafts - Autumn/Halloween

Thats it for now, need to get organised.   DD is coming for lunch and then, hopefully a final decision on Wedding stationery,  I think I have made too many samples - too much choice!
Hope you all have a lovely Sunday.

Avril xx

Its the French thing again!

Hi folks,

The French theme continues at Make My Monday, but this week they are asking to see the Fleur De Lys
on your project.  I have used Hampton Art Stamps 'Odes' which has the Fleur De Lys in the background.
The base of the card was inked with Distress Inks and then stamped with the  TH Papillion script in Bundled Sage DI. I also made a little Fleur De Lys  from Shrink plastic. The flowers made using with the Tattered Floral Die.  I have edged all the corners with 'home-made' Frantage.

I am also entering this card in:
  Anything Goes - Make your own Embellishments(Fleur de Lys and flowers)
  My Craft Spot - Embossing (Edges and corners)
  Crazy Challenges - Handmade Flowers

That's it for now, hope you like it.

Avril xx

Wistful Lady

Hi Folks,
I've just had a lovely messy afternoon playing with my new goodies from GNP and just thought I'd share a card using a couple of the new stamps .  The image and words are from Inkylicious.  I have stamped up a few images and played with various combinations of DIs .but for or this one I have kept her quite feminine, Spun Sugar, Tattered Rose Victorian Velvet, Bundled Sage and Tumbled Glass.  I also tinted her eyes with TG, and then her lips with Worn Lipstick.  A combination of the same inks were used on the words.  The lacy frame is SB Romantic Rectangles.
The flowers and swirl are made with metal foil tape and AIs. The black background is embossed with CB Textile folder, and as the card is 8"x8" I did have to join up.

It's nice just to play with no challenges in mind - but I am going to enter it in:
  Its all about the Vintage - Embossing - (background)
  Papercrafting Journey - Add some Bling (Flowers)
  Vintage Stamping Challenges - Anything Goes
  Simon Says Stamp - Diecuts & Punches (Diecut frame, swirl & flowers)

Before I go, I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followers, and I hope you will visit again.

Thanks for looking,

Avril xx

Parisian Vintage

Hi Folks,

I am continuing this months  French theme at Make My Monday which this week  is Vintage.

My card base was stamped with a TH Floral swirl, a combination of TH and Hero Arts French Writing for the post cards. The Eiffel Tower image is Paper Artsey (new from Harrogate) and the main image is BLine, which was part of my Internet purchase last week, I have lusted after this stamp for ages, but it  always seemed to be out of stock. All stamping was done with Black and Faded Jeans DI.  Distressing was Tea Dye, Ribbon dyed with Faded Jeans DI.

I am also entering this at:
  Pile it On -  Vintage /  Shabby Chic
  Fab & Funky - Vintage
  Divas by Design - Anything Goes

That's it for now, thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Autumn at Try it on Tuesday

Hi Folks,

We've another challenge for you over at Try it On Tuesdays and this time we would love to see Autumn colours.

For my DT piece I have used TH Butterflies and Moths and 'doodled' around the edges of the image. My background started with direct inking to paper with Walnut Stain DI, and then layered with a script stamp and I used the TH Book covers EF on Core'dinations, which I then sanded. The butterflies were stamped again coloured and cut out and then given a coat of Glossy Accents.

The rest of the DT have made some beautiful creations, so please pop over to TioT.

I am entering this in:
  Creative Stamp Friends - Autumn Colours
  Love to Create - Autumn colours

Before I go, I would  just like to say 'hello' to my new followers, its lovely to see you and I really do appreciate you being there. 

Avril xx

In the Pink - Plus One!

Hi Folks,

The challenge over at In the Pink this fortnight is 'Pink plus 1 other' .  So perfect for these images, which had fallen into the basket at checkout when I ordered another stamp online - its very hard to keep the basket empty when I hate to pay for postage - and if I didn't pay postage, then that left more to spend at Harrogate, so needs must I say!

Anyhow, the stamps are Graphic 45 Ladies Diary,  apart from the floral  background, which is Stamapendous.
To comply with the 'Rules' the main images were stamped in black and distressed with Tattered Rose DI, Flowers coloured with Worn Lipstick (I didn't even use green for the leaves but it looks OK) Skin again Tattered Rose. The background was stamped with Victorian Velvet, along with the border onto pale pink cardstock, and all matted onto black.  The roses TH Tattered Floral die, and no green leaves, so a black swirl.

I am also entering this at:
  Dream Valley - Go Pink!
  The Crafty Pad - Vintage
  Drunken Stampers - Think Pink
  Art Impressions - Pink

That's it for now and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Autumn Colours at FSC

Hi Folks,

Its time for another challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this time its Shades of Autumn, and we are as usual sponsored by Cottage Crafts who will be offering the winner a €7 voucher to spend in their shop.

For my tag I  stamped  music and script stamps in Pumice Stone DI through torn masks, then distressed  the whole tag with Wild Honey. I then randomly stamped an old Anitas leaf stamp in Spiced Marmalade, Bundled Sage and Pumice (1st and 2nd impressions). The bird and grasses which are TH were stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  The wording was done on the computer and inked with the same DIs. This was then mounted onto brown cardstock.
Do pop over to the FSC as my fellow teamies have made some fabulous creations, which will really WOW you!

Had a lovely day yesterday at Harrogate and met up with some lovely blogging pals, and also my fellow teamie Yvonne (Meggymay). Probably spent too much  - but DH did say 'Enjoy yourself' - not that I need to be told!  so all I need now is the time to play with them all.

I am entering this in:
  Allsorts - Autumn Leaves & trees
  CraftyCatz - Autumn
  Emergency Crafters - Autumn leaves
  Simply Create Too - Autumn
  Dutch Dare Card challenges - Fall is in the Air

That's it for now -Enjoy your Sunday and I hope its a crafty one.   I have new goodies to play with, so I think mine might be messy!!

Avril xx

Its a French Thing!

Hi Folks,

Can't believe its a week since I last posted!  but it has taken all week to post this card!
I haven't been too faithful to challenges lately, but for the last few weeks I have been entering Make My Monday, and this weeks challenge is Paris, the first of the monthly 'French' theme.
Sorry for using this stamp again, but I do love it, and of course - it's Paris! I stamped a second image and cut out the extra flowers.  The postcard is  TH stamps. The green panel is again TH from the Papillion set, it was stamped on white card in Versamark, clear embossed  and then inked with Bundled Sage and Tumbled Glass DIs. The DP is from Craftwork Cards.
I had a great start to the week - I was a Top 3 at Make My Monday, and a DT pick at Heck of a Challenge!

  I am also entering this at:
  Oldie but a Goodie - Inspired by a song (I love Paris in the Springtime - Stamp is 6 month old, paper is    
                                   older)
  BunnyZoes - Distressing
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

That's about it for now, I am off to GNP at Harrogate on Saturday with my friend Diane, so if anyone else is going I would love to meet up.

Thanks for looking, and have a good weekend.

Avril xx

Vintage Travel for MMM

Hi Folks,

I always seem to be running out of time these days and entering cards at the last minute, I've got a day to spare for this one, so not much change!

The theme this month at Make My Monday has been Vintage, and as regular readers may have guessed, I do like vintage.  This week its Vintage Travel but I must admit I struggled at bit as I didn't want to use my IndigoBlu stamps - again (I did use the map - again)  I've used a Crafty Individuals image, which was stamped twice, cut out the car and attached with foam pads after colouring and rubbing all over with Frosted Lace Stickles to give a sheen. The sentiment is TH .
For the background I used 3 different masks and Frayed Burlap DI.  The letters are cut with TH Vintage Market die.

  I am also entering this into:
  Charizma Cards - For the Guys
  Its all about the Vintage - Brown Tones
  My time to Craft - Transport

Thats it for now, need my beauty sleep - I'm up early tomorrow - going with DD, DiL to look at Wedding Dresses! 

Before I go, I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followers, I really do appreciate you visiting my blog.

Avril xx

Layers at Try It On Tuesday

Hi Folks,

Its time for a new challenge over at Try It On Tuesdays and this fortnight its Show us your Layers,
this can be paper layers, layered embellishments - anything that can be layered up.  For this challenge we are again sponsored by Smudgetastic.

For my card I decided to heat emboss my image  with 3 layers of clear Embossing Powder, and although its difficult to see in the photo, this gives  a lovely gloss finish . This was then layered onto gold card, and my frame is 2nd size Nestie Romantic Rectangle, stamped while still in the die. The layered flower is made from a  TH Tattered Florals die.  Ribbon and netting coloured with Distress Stains to match.

I am entering this card in:
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
  Crafty Ribbons - Vintage
  MAWTT - Girly & Prim & Proper

Thats it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Fashionable Alterations!!

Hi Folks,, well as the title suggests, we're taking in Alterations at Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight - but only the crafty ones!!!

I did a Workshop a couple of months ago with the very talented Jill of The Stamp Man where we altered a mirror using Moonshadow Inks & Fran-tage products.  We also used the Moonshadow Embossing Powders on some Stampboard.  I loved this technique, and have been thinking about altering a photo frame, however, I decided to take this one step further and altered 2 Beer Mats to make my frame, before commencing with the Moonshadow EPs.

I used a  Nestie to cut out my square in the centre of the mat.  I  inked with Versamark and heat embossed 2 layers of clear UTEE to give extra depth and a base to add the Moonshadow Inks, heating between colours, I love the way these change colour when heated, after a couple of layers of colour, I then started to add them randomly, heating each time.  I inked a Stampendous floral stamp with Gold Encore pigment ink, before heating the last layer, then quickly stamped into the hot  mixture.
I covered the second beer mat with black paper, cut to size, and added a little flap to make it stand.
The stamped image is Tim Holtz, stamped with Memento Sepia, and distressed with Vintage Photo DI.
I also cut a layer of Acetate which was attached to the frame before adding the image.

Sorry for all the similar photos, but it was a nightmare to photograph and the colours of the powders are really beautiful.

This challenge was 'different'  for me as most of my offerings are cards, but I really enjoyed making this frame.  My teamies have excelled themselves this time and have lots of inspiration for you, so do hop over and take a look, and we would love to see your 'alterations', so please join us this fortnight, but remember, we are a stamping challenge and there must be some 'real' stamping on your alteration!

I am entering this in
  Anything but a Card - Texture
  Gingerloft Challenges - Embossing
  That Craft Place - Bling
  Creative Craft Challenges - Anything Goes
  Shopping our Stash - Emboss It
  Recycle,Re-purpose & reinvent - Anything Goes
  Heck of a Challenge - Anything Goes

Have a great Sunday, and thanks for looking.

Avril

True Friends

Hi Folks,

Haven't had much time for crafting this week until today, so the priority was to make this tag, which luckily fits a couple of challenges - Make My Monday where it is  Vintage  Childhood, and also Craft Room Challenge which is Childhood Memories.

This tag will adorn a gift for my oldest friend -in fact we met in Junior School! and although we aren't quite as vintage as these children, we did like dressing up,  she's the one on the left - cause she's 9 month older than me!!!
The image is Lost Coast 'Prom Night'.  The tag was inked, spritzed, stamped, embossed and inked again.
The DI's were Frayed Burlap and Tattered Rose with a little bit of Vintage Photo on the edges of the image.
The words are Crafty Individuals.  The rose is cut from  a TH Tattered Florals die.

  I am also entering this in:
    Craftymess - Distressing/Aged
    The Poodles Parlour - Tags
    Simon Says Stamp - Emboss It

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

Avril xx

Craft Room Collage

Hi folks,

The Craftroom challenge this week is collage,

'A piece of art made by sticking various materials such as photographs and pieces of paper or fabric on to a backing'
The word itself is from early 20th century and French in origin literally meaning 'gluing'.

I don't know about you but I remember doing collage pictures at school and gluing lots and lots of pieces of coloured tissue paper to make a picture  - messy fun, and this was no different!    So here is my picture, lots of images glued - I even got the tissue paper out, glued the IndigoBlue All Saints image, added the tissue paper and wrinkled slightly, when it was dry I rubbed Peeled Paint lightly over to highlight the creases.  The background is IndigoBlu Map, stamped 4 times.  Distress inks used are Tumbled Glass, Spun Sugar, Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint.  The flower is a Mulberry paper, cut with a TH die, swirl is a Marriann die.
Everything was given a spritz with Biscotti Perfect Pearls, although this shimmer doesn't show in the picture.

I am also entering this in:
Challenges for Everybody - Anything Goes
No Matter which Challenges - Diecuts & Punches - (Flower & Swirl)
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Thats it for now,  and thanks for looking

Avril xx

Paris definitely isn't Square!

Hi Folks,

The challenge at In the Pink is Anything but Square, and this was my original idea for the challenge.  I love using this Marianne frame for an easel card.

I masked off the embossed frame before stamping - Stampendous stamp, and coloured with Worn Lipstick DI.  I distressed the embossed edges with the same ink.  A little bit of pale blue chalk for the sky and lots of Glamour Dust to the flowers.

I stamped the flowers again, fussy cut and added them with a sentiment for the base of the card.

I am also entering this card in :

  Charisma Cardz - Shaped cards
  Paperplay challenges - Fancy Folds
  Celebrate the Occasion - Shaped cards
  My time to Craft - More than 1 fold

I'm on a roll this week, 2 posts today!

Thanks for looking

Avril xx

Vintage Wedding

Hi Folks,

Wow - I was a top pick at Make My Monday last week!  - so thrilled.
This week at Make my Monday it's Vintage Weddings...hm...  I don't have any suitable stamps.....so I downloaded a lovely vintage image (but can't remember where from - sorry - just a Google search).
I bought the Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles a couple of weeks ago at a Craft Fair, and this is the first time I have used them.  I decided to make them look like a vintage frame, cut out the 2 largest rectangles, distressed with Antique Linen whilst they were still in the frames, I also lightly distressed the edges.
I die cut the image and then matted onto a scalloped oval,  and then glued on some pearls  - fortunately they were on a string, the hardest bit was holding it in place till it set!  The flowers (TH Tattered Florals) were cut in pearl card and inked with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo - gives a lovely golden glow.

I am also entering this card in :
  Crafty Ribbons - Vintage
  The Pink Elephant Challenge - Wedding Anniversary's
  Challenges4Everybody - Anything Goes
  The Squirrel & the Fox - Anything Goes
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Thats it for now, and thanks for looking,

Avril xx

Hm....................

Hi Folks,

Hm.....Wish you were Near!!!  

Our challenge over at Try It On Tuesdays this fortnight is 'Anything Goes' and .........for my offering I have had a messy time with this one.

My tag was originally intended for Studio L3's CCV2, but didn't get finished, however I did like the white stamping and didn't want to waste my background. The Distress inks used were Shaded Lilac, Peacock Feathers and Squeezed Lemonade, and although its hard to see.lots of scrpt and swirl  images were stamped on the background with Milled  Lavender.  I embossed top and bottom with TH Bookplate EF.
My lady was stamped twice, I cut out a corset, added some lace top and bottom and shaped it, well she does look rather voluptuous!

I know this image is on the IndigoBlu  sewing plate, and she is an advert for corsets........but whenever I see her I always think of Mae West and her famous saying " Come up and See Me Sometime"  - hence my sentiment on the bottom attached with jump rings (hate these)
I bought some Metal Foil tape and this is my first attempt with the flowers and swirl, not too bad. (I hope you're not thinking - who's she kidding)
I used Eggplant AI and they do match in with the colours on the tag, but were a nightmare to photograph.
The silver ribbon was dyed with Eggplant AI.

Well, that's my 'Anything Goes' -  the rest of my teamies have plenty of inspiration for you, so please pop over and  also meet out 2 new Guest Designers, Michelle and  Birgit.  This month we are sponsored by

http://smudgetasticdigis.blogspot.co.uk/?zx=c11464975f72828      who are offering 3 digis.

  I am entering this in
    Addicted to Stamps - Lots of Bling (Flowers)
    Anything but a Card - Anything Goes
    Stamptacular Sunday - Anything But a Card
    Creative Stamp Friends - Distressing
    Make It Monday - Anything Goes

I'd like to say 'Hello'  to my new followers, it really does make my day to see you ALL there,

Thanks for looking

Avril xx

Good Things Come in Small Packages!

 Hi Folks,                                         
Where does the time go!  Can't believe its 2 weeks since we asked to see your 'floral' creations over at Fashionable Stamping Challenges, there were some fabulous entries and we are going to have a difficult job in choosing our winner and top 3 this time.

Well its now time for a new challenge at FSC and this time it's  Good Things Come in Small Packages.

For my offering I have made a Friendship Tag/Pocket which measures 3" x 3"

The image on the pocket is Crafty Individuals, coloured with DIs, and the 'recipe' on the Tag is Lili of the Valley. The tag was cut down from a cream postal tag as I wanted the reinforced hole.

The rest of the DT have made some gorgeous creations to get you inspired, so do pop over and take a look.

I am entering this in :
  Craftymess - Vintage Paris
  Divas by Design - Friendship
  One Stop Crafts - No Floral embellishment

Thanks for looking

Avril xx

Vintage Fashion

Hi Folks,

Just a quick post - why alter the lastest routine - as again I am late and will just get this card entered in time!

The challenge at Make My Monday this week is Vintage Fashion, something I love doing, so my card uses Crafty Individuals Millinery (thanks Diane) and the extra lady is from the Dressmaker set.
The background paper is MME, inked, stamped and distressed, the journal page is TH embossing folder - Journal, distressed with Tattered Rose.  The flowers were made with the Tattered Floral die.  I actually quite like this card - which makes a change, as lately I have had a lot of self doubt, so I really would like to thanks you for all your lovely comments lately.

I am also entering this card in :
  Poodles Parlour - Here come the Girls
  Simply Create too - So Old or Vintage

That's it for now, I will be back with my Fashionable Stamping DT piece tomorrow, where we have a .............lovely little challenge for you.  Thanks for looking

Avril xx

Chocolate for LIM!

Hi Folks,

Well at least I'm not quite last minute with this one.  The challenge over at Less Is More this week is Pink & Brown.  The hardest part of this challenge for me is WHAT stamp/s to use, after that, well - less is more!
The image and sentiment are Darkroom Door and I haven't used them for a while, shame on me!  Stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa onto pink cardstock, matted with pink and brown.  Its only a little card - 4 x 6 - haven't done anything so small for a long while!
I am also going to enter this card at In the Pink - where the challenge is Anything But Square, how's that for extremes - last (yesterday)  and one of the firsts today!!

Just a quick post as my friend Diane is coming over tonight for some crafty play and playtime is something I haven't managed lately - need to get organised.

Thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Pink Wings

Hi Folks,

I have been struggling to find time all week to make this card for In the Pink, where the 2nd challenge  is 'Pink - Things with Wings'  and as I was a 'Perfect Pinky' in their first challenge,  it wouldn't be nice not to enter and I am there by the skin of my teeth - nothing new these days!

My main image is from Lost Coast, stamped in Victorian Velvet, matted and then again onto some Co'ordination's which was embossed with the CB Script. The butterfly was stamped onto copy paper, and then onto vellum, and brushed with Perfect Pearls,so it is 3d  and quite sparkly, although its hard to tell. I made my background paper, which started off a very pale pink, by stamping the butterfly, masking it, and then repeatedly stamping Hero Arts French Writing., then distressed with Tattered Rose arond the edges.  The sentiment is Inkylicious, which I think fits this Dreaming Lady.

I am also entering this in:
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
  City Crafters Challenge - Monochromatic
  Crafty Cardmakers - Things with Wings

That's it for now, and thanks for looking.

Avril xx



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