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