It's Colour Time at Fashionable Stamping

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and you were all good and got lots of lovely pressies - and some crafty bits too, I hope so.  I couldn't wait to use mine.

It's the last challenge of the year at Fashionable Stamping challenge and this time we would love to indulge you with Chocolate, Raspberry and Cream............mmmmmm!  sounds good to me.

For my little concoction, it had to be my new Graphic 45 Couture stamps and quote,  the background was stamped  using  an IndigoBlu Swirl in Rich Cocoa ink. My very talented teamies have some wonderful delights to tempt you using this recipe, so please pop over to the main blog, I promise you wont be disappointed.  Don't forget, there is a $20  prize for one lucky winner from Flonzcraft, our sponsor for this challenge.

I am entering this at :
  Crafts4Eternity - Something New

Avril xx

Merry Christmas

Christmas is almost here - and I'm almost' ready, and I didn't get to do all the catching up in Blogland that I'd planned.  Anyhow, I would just like to Wish You All a Very Merry Christmas and a wonderful (crafty) New Year.
Thank you to all of you who have visited over the past year and for all the lovely comments you have left.

Avril xx

Trees - and Mine's 'Wishing'

Hi and welcome to another challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time our theme is 'Trees'.  This could be Christmas Trees or you could create a scene with 'trees' or just a tree!

When DD got married in October she decided she didn't want  a Guest book - and would have a Wishing Tree  instead.  Fortunately, we had been chopping back the tree in the garden so I was able to select a good branch, which DH painted white.  I decorated it with lots of crystals and sparkly lights puchased from my local craft/bridal shop.  I die cut about 140 hearts for the greetings which were hung on the tree, I wish I had remembered to take a picture at the end of the night as it really did look gorgeous.  I made the box to hold the tags, decorated in the wedding colours.  Just in case people weren't familiar with Wish Trees I found some words on the internet, typed them in navy and framed it by way of explanation.

I hope you will join us for this challenge and if you need any inspiration, then my very talented teamis have some wonderful creations to tempt you, so please pop over here and don't forget, we are an any type of craft, so it would be lovely to see your interpretation!

I am entering this at:                                                                                                                           

  Stamping Sensations - Free and Easy (The tags are all stamped)                                             

     Joanna Sheen - Make it Sparkle                                                                                               

            Make it Monday - Anything Goes  (Die cut tags are all stamped)                                                                                      

                                                                                                                 

                               

Have a great week, and don't forget to be good - you know Who will be here in one week!

Avril xx

Last batch!

Hi, I'm back and with one I made earlier, in fact it was  my last batch of Christmas cards.   Again a very simple make, but when there's lots to make at this time of the year, that's what's needed.  The embossing folder and poinsettia are both Tim Holtz and the greeting is from a set of Katy Sue clear stamps, bought last year and never used.
Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last few makes, I really do appreciate them, and I hope to catch up with everyone over the next few days as I resume a 'normal' life. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind of washing, (I always think it looks strange when there's a line full of bikinis, shorts and tee shirts etc. in the winter)  the tree is up, and the house decorated, just wish I felt a bit more Christmassy!
Hope you all have a good Sunday, I'm off to Northumberland today,  a friend is having a Christmas Lunch party, should be a good day and hopefully give me that Christmas feeling.

I am entering this at:
  That Craft Place - Christmas
  Dream Valley Challenge - Christmas

Avril xx

V for Vellum at Alphabet Challenge

I do hope you like the new challenge over at Alphabet where our letter is 'V' for Vellum - as I chose this theme!
I have made a 'tag' card - my image, Crafty Individuals, was stamped onto vellum with Stazon, and on the reverse I used an embossing tool on  the flowers and swirls, I stamped again  onto white card and coloured her skin and dress.  I left a border around three sides of the vellum image, which was folded and used to attach to the card image (hope that makes sense) after fussy cutting along the swirls.  My background is a layer of muslin, over a baby wipe that had been used to mop up some 'nice colours' of distress ink - it looked too pretty to throw away - I spritzed it with water and then ran it through the CB for some texture.  The corrugated card was inked with White Versamark and sprinkled with Snowflake EP.  The flowers are a Joycraft die and coloured with Spun Sugar DI.

It would be lovely if you could join us and if you need any inspiration for using vellum, then my very talented teamies have some lovely creations, so please pop over to the main blog.

This is my last scheduled post, so hopefully I will catch up with you next week.
Thanks for visiting, and I hope you have a great weekend.

Avril xx

Handmade Gift or Gift Tag at Try it on Tuesday

 

Its time for another challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time its 'Handmade Gift or Gift Tag'
I decided on a handmade  gift bag as well as the tag.  My image is this lovely Gibson boy from Flonzcraft and I stamped him onto an oval cut from Shrink Plastic, and the size turned out just perfect to fit my little tag.

I hope you will join us and show your 'handmade' - my very talented teamies have some great projects to show so please pop over to the main blog for the details.

This is a scheduled post, so thanks again for your continued visits.

Have a great week

Avril xx

In the Holiday Spirit at FSC

You have all month to enter the new challenge at Fashionable Stamping - which for December is ' In the Holiday Spirit' chosen by Terry.  As long as there's some stamping on your project, it's up to you as long as it's 'In the Holiday Spirit!  We again have our very generous sponsor Flonzcrafts who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store
I love the anticipation of children in the lead up to Christmas Eve and their thoughts of Santa Clause, so I decided to use this Rubber Stampeed Santa and an Inkylicious 'Twas the Night before Christmas' verse.  I used a Christmas printed vellum over my blue base layer and then stamped a snowflake with Versamark and brushed with Perfect Pearls for the next layer, but then covered it with my main images!!  The poinsettia was cut in vellum and stamped with a music script in Versamark and then brushed with Blue Patina Perfect Pearls, I also ran a Versamark pen around the edges before I added the PP.
My lovely team mates all have very different themes, so please pop over to the main blog and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
This is another scheduled post as I am enjoying a different kind of Santa to my 'frosty' looking card, I took this photo last year, and as we are at the same hotel, I'm sure I will be seeing this little scene again this year.

Have a great Sunday.

Avril xx

Vintage Christmas at Sugar Creek Hollow

A couple of weeks ago I was the Designers Pick over at Sugar Creek Hollow and the lovely ladies have invited me to be a GDT for this challenge, which is 'Vintage Christmas'.  Thanks ladies for this great invitation.
I used this image a couple of weeks ago and you may remember  he was dressed in blue - this time with a pink scarf I think this little person looks more like a girl!  It's a Flonzcaftstamp, which was masked before I made the background.  I have used the Stampendous Snowy Postcard and Christmas Greetings along with LOTV Christmas Pudding Recipe for my background layers.
The DT's at Sugar Creek Hollow have some wonderful creations on show, so please pop over there and have a peek.

Thanks for visiting, enjoy the rest of the week whatever you're doing

Avril xx

Santa

I made another batch of cards, and again quite an easy design.  I decided I wasn't buying any more Christmas papers until I have used up ALL of the sheets already sitting waiting to be cut into, you know what I mean, you used the best and the rest just gets left!  This looked a little 'bright' so covered most of it up with the Stampendous Christmas Greeting which was stamped with Aged Mahogany and heat embossed with clear powder. My Santa image is Inkadinadoo,  coloured lightly with Distress inks, was cut and layered onto Nesti ovals and then lots of Glamour Dust added - which of course doesn't show in the photo.

 I am entering this at:
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Traditional Christmas
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes

I've got a few scheduled posts over the next couple of weeks, as I'm off for a little break and some winter sun.   DD has declared as I live nearer to her work - she may as well move back and keep the house company (as well as saving on her bills) - well at least the house won't take any warming up when we get back!!

Thanks for visiting, I really do appreciate it.

Avril xx

Altered Image!

A while ago the lovely Ignacio of Nicecrane Designs sent me some lovely Original Vintage Ladies images to play with and I made this, well this time I decided to use one of the images for Christmas.  I have really 'played' this time and have actually changed the colour of the ladies clothes!  Wasn't sure if this would work, but they coloured beautifully with Promarkers to give them a really festive look - (hope you don't mind Ignacio) but it just shows how versatile these images can be.  My background uses the Stampendous Snowy Postcard and Christmas Greetings and LOTV recipe for my layers.

I am entering this at
  Crafts-Too - Vintage Christmas - pt. 2 Polychromatic
  Southern Girls - Circles
  Die cut Divas - Holidays and Celebrations

Thanks for visiting and I hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Avril xx

White on White at Try it on Tuesday

It's time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time the theme is ' White on White'
I have gone for a Christmas theme and have used a Tim Holtz snowflake EF for top and bottom and a Crafts Too for the sentiment.  I added Glamour dust to the lettering and snowflakes and on the edges of the matted white layer, but unfortunately it's not showing the the photo, I love White on White, but they're so difficult to photograph.

We would love you to join us for this challenge and if you need any inspiration just hop over to the main blog where my wonderful teamies have some gorgeous creations for you.

I am entering this at:
  Ali-craft Blog - White on White
  Inkspirational - White on White
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you have a great week.

Avril xxx

Shabby chic Christmas at FSC

The weeks are just flying by - and its time for another challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this time Shirley has chosen  Shabby Chic Christmas - so a good excuse to make another Christmas card.  We are again sponsored by Flonzcraft who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in the online store.
Although I make a lot of vintage  I don't always make them 'shabby' - so this was a bit different for me.
I have used a Flonzcraft  Gibson kids stamp for my main image, isn't he so cute!   My blue layer was embossed using a Tim Holtz Snowflake EF, which was then inked with a White Versamark and heat embossed using 'Snowflake' EP, I also embossed the edges of this and the image with it.
My shabby background was stamped with a Stampendous Christmas Greetings, then distressed with Tumbled Glass and Pumice Stone.
Should you need any inspiration them my very talented teamies have some wonderful creations to show so, please pop over here for the details.

I am entering this at:
  A creative Romance - Winter's Blues
  4 Crafty Chicks - Snowflakes
  Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon
  Divas by Design - Something Snowy
  Artistic Stamper - Christmas
  Addicted to Stamps - Punches and Dies

That's it for now, thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy the rest of Sunday.

Avril xx

Thank You

Hi - thanks for visiting, hope you're all having a good week,  I've had a play with a gorgeous stamp that I received in a parcel of stamps from a lovely blogging friend, Thank You!  She just wanted them to be used and loved - and I love this lady - her name's  Yvette (Stamp It rubber stamps) and doesn't she look lovely in Pink!
I've used the Tattered Doily die for the card base,  which I distressed with Spun Sugar and then stamped with an Inkylicious 'spot' stamp in the same colour.   I added a back, so that it can stand.
I am entering this at :
  In the Pink - Ribbon and Bows
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes   -  (I was the featured card last week)
  Creative Craft Challenge - 1 image/2 papers/3 flowers
  Bunny Zoe's - Shabby Chic/Vintage
  Ooh LaLa - Stitching

Well, after a bit of light relief, its back to some more Christmas cards!

Avril xx

Tattered Poinsettia

Hello, its great that you've stopped by, I hope you're all having a good weekend.  I've managed to finish another batch of  Christmas Cards using the Tattered Poinsettia die I bought couple of weeks ago and  I've cut quite a lot as I've sat watching t.v.  The DP was stamped with Versamark and then brushed with Perfect Pearls Bronz,  tag is embossed with the CB script folder and I highlighted the script with a gold ink pad, and  Iced Spruce to distress the edges.  The poinsettia was coloured with Fired Brick and Peeled paint DIs. the die cut is a little Sizzix die , quite a quick card, so I made a few.

I am entering this at:

 Pile it on - Show us your tools                                

Stamping Sensations - Christmas                            

Feel the need now to do something pretty, before I start putting the next batch together, it's surprising how much double sided tape I used while watching t.v and it doesn't take that much concentration to do  either.

It's the last of Downton tonight, so I know where I will be at 9 o'colock, wonder if there will be another 'cliff-hanger' ending.

Avril xx

Twine for Alphabet Challenge

Its time for another letter in the Alphabet and this time it's 'T' and Team B's turn and Mari has chosen 'Twine'

I decided to make my own twine from 2 bits of frayed burlap, I died one piece with Aged Mahogany and then when dry, twisted them together, now what to do with them.
A short while ago the lovely Ignacio of Nicecrane Designs very kindly gave me some Mark Twain images to 'play with',  and when I saw this sentiment (Peerless Designs) at the weekend, I knew how I was going to use it.   My image is coloured with Distress Markers and inks. The corrugated cardboard gave a lovely surprise when I started to rip it and found it was double core, so apart from a light distressing with some Tumbled ~Glass DI, that was it.
I would be lovely to see you join us, and if you need any inspiration for using Twine, them please pop over to the main blog, as my very clever teamies have some lovely creations to show.

I am entering this at:
  Creative Craft Challenges - Words
  4 Crafty Chicks - Anything but a Card
  Crafts4Eternity - Anything but a Card

That's it for now, hope you all have a lovely weekend, whatever you're doing.

Avril xx

Colour Explosion!

Colour Explosion is the theme at Try it on Tuesdays for this fortnight, this could be Seasonal or Bright, as long as there's lots of colour.

I have used IndigoBlu's Ella Bella, stamped in black  Archival.  I used Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, Seedless Preserves and Aged Mahogany  Distress Inks for the shading around the image.  I used the swirls part of  the image, stamped in Seedless Preserves, on the same mix of colours for the base card, which was a hammered white card to start with.
If you need any inspiration, then hop over to the main blog for a gorgeous array of colourful creations from the rest of the Design Team.

I am entering this at:
  Penny Black and More - Anything Goes
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
  Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

That's it for now,  and enjoy your week.

Avril xx

Anything but INK!

Another Christmas make and this time its for the new challenge at Fashionable Stamping which this fortnight is 'Anything but INK' - so you can use paint, bleach,  ink sprays or like me you can use glue and gilding flakes, but for full details just pop over to the main blog, where you will be enthralled with the brilliant ideas from the rest of the Design Team.  Don't forget there is a $20 prize for one lucky random winner from our very generous sponsor Flonzcraft.

For my make, I have used IndigoBlu 'Baroque Christmas Tree' with Flitter glue and  some gilding flakes, it's rather a large stamp, so decided to go with an easel card.  The border on the base is the 'Tree ' stamped upside down. The sentiment is Hero Arts and again used the  flakes.

Just a quick one as I'm off to a  Craft Fair this morning, not that I need anything, but it's just nice to go!

I am entering this at
  Allsorts - Christmas Cheer
  Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Bling it Up
  Crafty Calendar - All things Christmas

Avril xx

GD at Crafting Musketeers

A few weeks ago I won over at Crafting Musketeers challenge and they kindly invited me to do a GD spot for this challenge which is Pretty Pastels.
I have used the Clarity La Petite Musique,  which was coloured with Promarkers and DIs for the background shading. I have also used some gorgeous old papers  (you know they type,  you stroke them and put them back for another day - can't even remember what they are now).  The music script is LOTV, and the beautiful lace was part of the fabulous goodies  I received as my prize from Crafting Musketeers.  The flower  was cut with a Joycrafts die.

I am entering this at
  Daring Card makers - colour challenge
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Feminine Beauty
  Sugar Creek Hollow - Anything Vintage
  The Hobby House - Pearls


I hope you all have a great weekend whatever you're doing, but before I go, I would like to say 'hello' to my newest follower, it's great that you  want to join me on my crafting journey, and I hope you will continue to visit often.

Avril xx

The first batch!

Well, I have actually made a start on my Christmas Cards!  Thought I needed to after doing some blog visiting last week and realising that it's 1st November on Friday.

I have used the Stampendous 'Snowy Postcard' on kraft card and stamped again on white for the scene, which was given a good sprinkling of Flower Soft,  which I bought about 4 years ago and this is the first time it's been used.
The background paper was stamped with HeroArts Christmas script using Versamark and dusted over with Perfect Pearls bronze.  I have made about 12 of these, although a bit tedious, I find doing a 'production line' of stamping and cutting,  then as I watch T.V.  I do all the d/side tape bits ready for assembly, easier when time is short. To stop the boredom I use different papers and ribbons.

I am entering this at:
 

Talking of time being short.........that's it for now, hope to show the next 'batch' soon.

Avril xx

Just because

I missed the GNP show at Harrogate a couple of weeks ago due to a prior commitment -  The Wedding - so I had a  little online spend.  Clarity Stamps had free postage last month so one of my little treats was this - La Petite Musique and I finally got to ink her up this week. I used Promarkers to colour and Distress Inks for her background.   Mr 'M' was a bit of a slow starter this week, so while I was waiting, I coloured up a few of these images, something I haven't done in a while, so you might be seeing this little lady again soon.
I am entering this at:
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Feminine Beauty
  Crafty Cardmakers - Shabby/Chic
  Rhedd and Rosie Challenge - Anything Goes
  Crafty Hands Challenge - Anything Goes

DD and 'new' SIL came for tea and a lovely catch up, sounds like they had a fabulous time in Mexico, but they're back to the real world and work today.  It looks like we're in for some stormy weather over the weekend - great for crafting - so I might just have to have a little 'play'!

Thanks for visiting, I really do appreciate it.

Avril xx

It's Halloween time at Try it on Tuesday

Time for another challenge at Try it on Tuesdays and of course this time of the year we just had to do Halloween, which we know lots of you love.
For me personally, its something I always struggle with - I just don't have any Halloween stamps at all, so I spent an hour or so looking on the web for some suitable images and couldn't resist this 'Witches Brew Party'   I also found lots of  labels and posters.
The rest of the DT have some really spooky creations to show, so please pop over to the main blog to see

I am entering this at:
   Eclectic Ellapu - Halloween
  Dream Valley Challenges - Halloween
  Simply Create Too - Halloween
  Crafty Boots - Halloween

I'm off to meet some friends for lunch today, but we won't be having any Witches Brew as our chosen place is one where we all need to drive!

Thanks for stopping by and  I hope you all have a great week - DD returns home tomorrow so I'm looking forward to seeing her.

Avril xx

Make a Card at FSC

Where have the last 2 weeks gone!  Thanks goodness I was organised with my DT card for Fashionable Stamping Challenges where this fortnights theme is 'Make a Card' - just cards, nothing else.  Once again we are sponsored by Flonzcraft who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.

I have used one of the Gibson Girl images, together with Graphic 45 Ladies Diary and a CI postcard stamp and an old book page, torn and inked with Vintage Photo DI  The backing paper is K&Co.  My shabby flower was punched with a Retro punch.

It would be lovely if you could join us for this challenge and if you need any inspiration the rest of the DT have some wonderful cards to show, so please pop over to the main blog and take a look.

I am entering this at:
  Stampin for the Weekend - Anything Goes
  Crafting by Design - Anything Goes
  Artistic Inspiration - Anything Goes
  365 Cards - Vintage with a Stamped image
  Penny Black & More - Anything Goes

I feel as if I am still playing catch up with visiting and Mr Mojo keeps going walkabout which isn't helping - , but I've got some craft time planned for tomorrow, so hopefully Mr. 'M' will make an appearance!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend whatever you are doing.

Avril xx

Midweek Reminder for Texture at TioT

Thanks for looking - this is my first ever canvas - I started this a couple of weeks ago for my DT piece for Try it on Tuesday which this fortnight is Texture, and,  I did have an idea of what I wanted this to be like, but this was nothing like it!
Believe it or not - but it started with a lovely old fashioned rose napkin, which was torn and glued to the canvas, covered with a coat of watery Fresco Snowflake paint and then had to be left for more pressing matters, namely the wedding! My idea was a dragonfly in an old country garden, but somewhere in the making I lost sight of the roses after spraying with a couple of Perfect Pearls mists, (they are there in the corners)  I used embossing paste with a TCW Mariposas stencil for the dragonfly, and script, then the Hollyhock from Sweet Poppy Stencils that I won a couple of weeks ago over at Craft Room Challenge.  To create the depth I inked an Imaginations  Leaf Swirl with Iced Spruce and Bundled Sage DIs and then used some embossing paste to bring some leaves to the front.  The embossing was covered in various gilding pastes.
There are some wonderful Texture creations on the main blog, so please pop over to have a look and you still have one more week to enter.
I almost didn't post this - not sure if it's ............well you know what I mean.  So any comments, pointers or even criticism - but don't be too harsh, all greatly appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a lovely week.

Avril xx

Back to Normal

Well it's all over like a Wedding!
We had a fabulous day, the weather was glorious and so warm, we couldn't have asked for more.
I only have a couple of photos that I managed to take, so can't bore you!

The happy couple are now in Mexico having a wonderful time - and life is now getting back to normal.  I did promise myself a 'me' day yesterday, but only managed a short time as 3 lots of visitors put paid to that idea.

Anyhow, I did make one tag - the very kind Ignacio of Nicecrane  Designs gave me some images to play with a couple of weeks ago which were perfect for Autumnal cards, so I just had to have a play.  The image is from the Tom Sawyer collection.

I softly coloured with Distress inks and layered onto torn corrugated cardboard that had been distressed and then heat embossed with copper powder, I stamped leaves and painted with Distress Crackle.  My letters were coloured with DI's and then sprinkled with the copper embossing powder.  I saw the sentiment a couple of times yesterday - sorry I can't remember where, so printed it as it fitted perfectly with my falling leaves theme.

I am entering this at:
  C.R.A.F.T - Autumn/Halloween/Thanksgiving
  Creative Belli - Leaves
  Divas by Design - 3 or more layers
  Rhedd and Rosies - Shades of Autumn

Before I go and do some blog visiting to see what I have been missing, I would like to say, 'hello' to my newest followers,  it's great that you want to join me on my crafting journey.
Thanks for visiting, and I hope you all have a great weekend.


Avril xx

Use a Mask or Stencil at FSC

 This is a scheduled post - today is the day after the 'Big Day'! and hopefully everything went according to plan.

The weeks have been rushing by and it's time for another challenge over at FSC and this time we would like you to use a mask or a stencil.  We are again sponsored by Flonzcraft who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
I have used Dylusions Couture stamps and paper piece the image.  I used an Imagination Leaf Swirl and a Creative Creative Expressions Fox Glove stencil to create my scene with Distress Inks.  My tag was layered onto black to make a shaped card.

I hope you will join us, and if you kneed any inspiration, then my very talented teamies have some wonderful creations to show, so please pop over to the main blog, you wont be disappointed .

I am entering this at:

MAWTT - Anything Goes                                                                

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes                                                             

Addicted to Stamps - Create a Scene                                                

Penny Black and More - Anything Goes                                                    

I need to get back to normal now that all the wedding preparations are a thing of the past!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Avril xx

Going Dotty!

That's the theme this fortnight at Try it on Tuesdays - not me, although sometimes........   So anything goes with dots or circles on your creation.
I needed another 'girly card, so a great opportunity to use one of the Graphic 45 Ladies Diary stamps, which was stamped and  masked off, before I used a sequin waste mask for my 'dotty' background. I used  Worn Lipstick and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks, the ribbon also got the dotty treatment. My background for the base was made the same way.  Flowers are a Joy craft die.
The rest of my very talented teamies have some wonderful inspiration  so please pop over to the main blog to see, you wont be disappointed.
Just a short post as I am busy making paper cones to hold small sprigs of flowers to decorate the church isles -  DD is banned from looking at Pinterest from now on!

I am entering this at:
 Make it Monday - Anything Goes
 Cheerful Stamp Pad - Love your Hat
 Sweet Stampin - Glamour & Glitz
 Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with a Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by, hope you all have a great week.

Avril xx

Autumn Colours

It's time for another challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this time I chose  Autumn colours.  We are again sponsored by Flonzcraft who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 voucher to spend in their online store.
I love summer days, but when the weather changes I can't wait for the trees to change colour, love all the red, orange and gold of the leaves and  I'm quite lucky that I live on the edge of a wood and get to see the colours everyday, so  that's where my inspiration came from.
I have used Stampscapes Winter Mill, coloured lightly with  Distress Inks. My background was stamped with the leaf stamp in various inks, then sponged all over with Wild honey and my  'falling leaves' were given a coat of Distress Crackle.  My very talented teamies have some wonderful inspiration, so please pop over to the main blog to take a look, I promise you won't be disappointed .
I am entering this at :
  Ali-craft - Autumn
  Rogue Redhead  - Autumn Colours
  Sugar Creek Hollow - Fall is in the Air
  Artistic Stamper - Autumn
  Penny Black & More - Autumn

Life's getting a little bit hectic with last minute arrangements - less than 2 weeks to go to the BIG Day! so if I'm not around much - you know what I'm doing!! and whatever you're doing enjoy the rest of they day.

Avril xx

Just for Fun!

Just thought I'd share my little make - a few days ago DD sent me a little picture from Pinterest, so of course I had to have something similar for the little craft room.  Now I know why I always seem to have glitter on my face even when I haven't used it!!
Painted and distressed an old frame. Printed the same sentiment on the computer, and added a border with a Clarity corner.  Out came the Glamour Dust for the word 'Glitter' and the stars (Lavinia mini).
I am entering this at Make it Monday - it might just make someone smile!

Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by, have a great week.

Avril xx

P for Paper piecing at Alphabet

Hello and welcome to another Alphabet Challenge and this time it's 'P' and   Pat  has chosen Paper piecing.

I have kept mine quite simple and just paper pieced the baby's dress to match the scalloped oval Nesti, framing the image as I didn't want to have different shades of pink on this card.
My card is cut from Pearl card stock using the Romantic Rectangles 2 larger sizes and the image is from PSX, (I must admit every time I have to make a baby card this image is always first choice) I have added Stardust Stickles to the moon and stars.

The rest of the DT have some wonderful creations to show so please pop over here to take a look.

I am entering this at:
  A.R.T challenge - Baby Girl
  Crafty Little Fairies - New Baby
  Crafters Cafe - No designer paper
  In the Pink - KISS (Keep it Simple and sweeet)

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Avril xx

Hand-made Flowers at Try it on Tuesday

Well it's time for another challenge at Try it on Tuesdays and this time we would love you to show us your Handmade flowers.

I have a box that is full of hoarded 'intentions' as I like to call it,  and after a little rummage, I found just what I was looking for.  The door hanger for the 'craft room'.  After painting it with Geeso, it was  dry brushed with PaperArtsey Fresco Mermaid paint, and then stamped with a crackle stamp using Tumble Glass DI .  I stamped the image, which is from Flonzcraft, and the Tim Holtz words onto tissue paper, my lady was coloured with Distress pens, fussy cut  and glued with a very watery pva, I wiped some Mermaid paint over the edges of the words with a baby wipe.    When this was dry, I gave it a coat of PA Satin Glaze.  My 'handmade' flowers were cut with a Joy die, the leaves are from the Tattered Floral strip die.
The rest of the DT have some  amazing creations to show, so please pop over to the main blog to take a peek.

I am entering this at:
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes
  Bunny Zoe's - Something Blue
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Anything from your Garden

Before I go, I would like to say 'hello' to my new followers, it's lovely to see you and I hope you continue to visit.

Have a great week,

Avril xx

Can-U-Resist FSC

Hi - its time for a new challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this fortnight we would love to see if you can RESIST joining in.  Our fabulous sponsor for this challenge is again Flonzcraft, who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.

For my piece I decided on a tag and stamped the Stampendous Agapanthus Cluster with Versamark and heat embossed with White EP, the Tim Holtz sentiment also got the same treatment.  I then did some whitewash stamping using Picket Fence Distress Stain, for this I used a TH Floral Swirl stamp.  Distress inks Chipped sapphire, Wild honey, Forest Moss and Seedless Preserve were blended over ( I know it looks a bit brown in the photo, but there was no brown used)  I then  spritzed with water and wiped over the whole tag with a damp tissue to remove the ink from the white stain and embossing.  I made a background using just the whitewash stamping method with the same inks.  My ribbons were randomly inked with the inks, and spritzed to soften the colours.
My very talented teamies have some wonderful techniques to tempt you into joining us and I'm sure you won't be able to RESIST (pun intended) to please pop over here, you won't be disappointed.

I am entering this at:
  Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon
  Aud Sentiments - Use a Sentiment
  Happy Campers - Use a Stamp
  Vintage Stamping - Anything from the Garden

Hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunday

Avril xx

Vintage Lady

Hi folks, a little while ago I received a lovely email from Ignacio of Nicecrane Designs and he gave me a lovely set of  Original Vintage Ladies to 'play' with.  But,as you know, time has been a little short for 'playing' - been so busy with Wedding Stationery, that it has taken until now to use these lovely images.
I have five 'girl friends' birthdays this month, so decided this was a good place to start using the images, not sure of the DP,  embossed and sanded 2 toning co'ordinations, some lace and a few flowers.  Its such a pretty image, it didn't need anything more!

I am entering this at :
  Country View Crafts - Layers
  Crafting Musketeers - Vintage
  Simply Create too - Vintage
  Rhedd & Rosie - One for the Ladies

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

Midweek Reminder

Hi folks,

Just a quickie - in lots of ways - to show a card I made for a friend who's just become a Grandma!
The card also fits in with our challenge at Try it on Tuesdays which is '3 Fancy edges'
I have used a shaped card blank, embossed with the CB folder Swiss Dots , I cut and embossed a Nesti in linen card for my 2nd edge and  my third is a punched strip on the inside of the pram.
It would be lovely to see you join us for this challenge - all we need is 3 Fancy edges.

I am entering this at:
  A little bit crafty - Clean and Simple
  Cards and scrap - Use Dies
  Die Cut Divas - Celebrate

That's it - told you it was quick!
Avril xx

Something New!

Hi Folks, thought I would share with you one of the results of Saturday's 'play day'.  I've used the Tim Holtz Cabinet Card Die, and previously, I've used foam pads to attach the die cut front to a card - great from the front - but mine never looks too good from the side, so, I've had this idea in my mind for a few weeks, to fold the sides, much neater.  This is the first time I've tried this and I did 1/2" folds, but next time I will just do 1/4" as I felt it stood off too much on the finished card (a bit of d/s tape in the right space gave a nice shape though)

I have used tissue (from a pkt of hankies) for the front and placed the 2 printed sentiments at the top.  My images, a JustRite stamp (courtesy of my friend Diane), was coloured with Distress inks.  The other image and scissors are IndigoBlu.

The theme this week at Craft Room Challenge is Something New - well this was a new way of using the die, as well as the first time I have covered a whole card front with tissue and also first time to use the JustRite stamp, so lots of new things, so I think this fits.

I am also entering this at:
  Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Goes with a Die cut
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes
  Addicted to Stamps- Shabby/Vintage
  Rogue Redhead Challenge - ~Fashionista

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend whatever you're doing.

Avril xx

Fancy Edges at TioT

Hi, hope you  all had a great Bank Holiday Weekend and hopefully had some sunshine - we had a glorious day yesterday, which went some way to making up for a wet and miserable Saturday and a very dull Sunday, I managed to stay nice and dry crafting and it was lovely just to craft for me with no Wedding stationary in sight!
We had some  wonderful entries for the last challenge at Try it on Tuesdays, I'm sure we will have a hard time picking our Top 5.
This fortnights challenge is '3 Fancy Edges' these can be die cut, punched or event cut with scissors.
For my card I have used the lovely Graphic Secret Garden papers, and my Fancy edges are - SB Romantic Rectangle, the next layer was was cut with Deckle Edge scissors and then a Martha Stewart punched rectangle to frame my image.  The flowers, coloured with Promarkers to match, were cut from the Tattered Floral strip die.
I hope you will join us for this challenge, just let us know what your fancy edges are, and if you need any inspiration, then the rest of the DT have some gorgeous creations to show, so please pop over here to take a look.

That's it for now, and thanks for looking

Avril xx

Sew & Sew

Hi and welcome to our latest challenge at Fashionable Stamping - which is Sew&Sew, so anything sewing themed.  We are again sponsored by Leo of Flonzcraft who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
I have made a wall hanging and since last May, when I made a tag - one of the few I did for the 2012 Tags, I have been wanting to do something similar, but more girly, as I loved using the old pattern tissue paper, as it gives a great effect.  I have used the same stamps, with the addition of Crafty Individuals CI-328 stamps used on the top border. I used rolled ribbon roses that have been in my stash forever and some antique lace. The bookplate die cuts were an Ebay purchase, which I thought looked a bit 'limp' so I brushed it with Treasure Gold and framed the pattern no, torn from the sheet.  Of course, to make it more 'girly' she had to have a lace skirt and pearls!
I hope you will join us for this challenge and if you need any inspiration, or even if you don't - my fabulous teamies have some wonderful Catwalk creations to show, so please pop over here to take a look.

I am entering this at:
  Crafty Individuals - Open challenge
  Its All about the Vintage - Summer Flowers (Roses)
  Crafty Creations - Shabby/Chic
  Live & Love Crafts - Warm/Cool colours

Thats it for now, enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Avril xx

Script tag

Hi - would you believe I'm actually showing something that's not a DT piece - I was looking for an old post and realised since April I have only shown 3 makes that weren't for DTs!  I had to rectify that and have some time to 'play' just for me, but couldn't think what to do - so, decided on a tag, love the fact that there's so much that can be added to such a small space.
Stamped the TH Papillion script with Walnut Stain DI, then distressed with Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade and Peeled Paint DIs, coloured the Tattered Doily with the Wild Honey & Sp.Marmalade.  My 'home made chit chat' stickers were cut from  aTim Holtz Stuff to Say. stamp.   Flowers were cut from the Tattered Floral strip die. Dyed ribbon and muslin. Matted onto brown cardstock - which hid the messy back!  Quite quick and easy - and it did the trick - got Mr Mojo back on track.

I'm entering this at:
  Aud Sentiments - Anything but a card with a sentiment
  Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbons
  Crafting for all Seasons - Tags
  Penny's Paper-Crafty - Dies & Punches

I'm 'home alone' this weekend as DH is going to future SIL's stag weekend - just to be the responsible adult - so he said! so think I might just manage some crafting time.  Have a great Bank Holiday weekend whatever you're doing.

Avril xx

N for New at Alphabet Challenge

Hello, and its another DT card I'm showing today, this time it's for Alphabet Challenge where our letter is 'N' and Caz has chosen - New - that can be stamp or decoupage.
My newest stamp, is the Stampendous Agapanthus Cluster, I have dithered over this stamp for a long time, and finally bought it a couple of weeks ago.  My tag was inked with Tumbled Glass, Wild Honey and Iced Spruce DIs and the Agapanthus and the dots (Inkylicious) were also stamped with the Iced Spruce.  The butterflies are an Inkylicious stamp, which were given a coat of Frosted Lace Stickles after colouring.
I used the same colours on the base, and then turned the cardstock, added some random script, again stamped in Iced Spruce.  Ribbon was also dyed.
I hope you will join us for this challenge and show us your 'newest'.  My very talented teamies have some wonderful new stash to show, so please pop over here and take a look.

I am entering this at:
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Things with Wings
  Craft Room Challenge - Bingo - Blue/Rubber Stamping/Butterfly (My blue is Tumbled Glass DI)
  My Craft Creations - Ribbons & Bows
  Country View Crafts - Quotes & Sayings

That's it from me, apart from thanking you for all the lovely comments on my Room with a View post, it really does mean a lot, especially as that was my first attempt at something like that.
Have a great weekend, whatever you're doing.

Avril xx
  

Room with a View

Hi Folks,  its time for another challenge at Try it on Tuesdays and this time we would love you to 'create a scene!  It can be a landscape, seascape or whatever is your interpretation of a 'scene'.
I bought these Darkroom door stamps on Ebay a couple of months ago for about a third of their price and this is their first inking,  but they are only a bargain if you use them -I was just waiting for the right time.  I decided my scene would be the view from a holiday apartment window overlooking the Grand Canal in Venice!
This is the first time I have used Napkins for my background, this was torn, glued and then dry brushed with Paper Artsey Fresco Snowflake, to give a shabby peeling wallpaper effect. I then inked  IndigoBlu Crackle stamp with Frayed Burlap and random stamped.

My friend Diane recently bought the window and flower spray dies and was kind enough to let me use them. I used Distress stains to give an aged look to both. My 'piece' is set into an old wooden box top, (wish I had the whole box)  which was painted with Fresco and then stamped with the Crackle stamp.
It would be lovely if you could join us and if you need any inspiration, my very talented teamies have some very varied projects, so please pop over here to take a look

I am entering this at:
  Simon Says monday challenge - Make the cut( Die cuts and punches)
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes
  Anything but a Card - Summer Fun - (Holidays are fun)
  c2cu - Summer Days - Fun in the Sun
  Heck of a Challenge - Holidays

I have started a bit of a catch up in blogland - life is settling down after a hectic few weeks of more Wedding Stationary, don't actually know how many Invitations I have made - DD just kept asking for more, think its somewhere in the region of 80.  Same number of Order of Service and double that for Place cards - only Menu and Thank You cards left to do, its going to be a big wedding!  So, I think you can see why I have been such an absent blogger of late and I do appreciate all your visits and comments.

Have a good week whatever you are doing, I hopefully will manage some 'me' crafting.

Avril xx

Fashionably Clean & Simple!

Don't the weeks just fly by!...It's time for another challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this time its 'Clean & Simple'   Once again we have our wonderful sponsor, Flonzcraft who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 voucher to spend in their online store.

For my piece I have used  Acid Drops & Whatnots stamp that was 'free' with a magazine a few weeks ago, just love the quotes with these images.
My image was coloured with Karismacolour pencils and the background was shaded with chalks - very simple.
The rest of the design team have some wonderful and varied inspiration for you, so please pop over here to take a look.
Just a short post today, but I would like to say I really do appreciate you visiting and all your lovely comments, especially as I have been such an absent visitor myself.........but ... more about  that later.

I am entering this in:
  Addicted to CAS - Summer
  Totally Papercrafts - Summer fun
  Crafting by Design - Celebrate Women
  Sentimental Sundays - One Layer


Have a great Sunday, whatever you are doing.

Avril xx