Frosty Noel

Just a short post to wish you all

                    A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

and to thank you for all your visits and supportive comments throughout the year, I do appreciate it.

I thought I would finish off with this little MDF shape that I bought about 3 yrs ago and it has finally been given it's 'transformation'  just in time for the big day!

I am entering this at: That's Crafty - Anything Goes

Best Wishes to You All
Avril xx

Make Your own Background at FSC

Hello, it's time for our new challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this month it was my turn to choose the challenge.... and as I like making my own backgrounds and background papers, I thought that was a good place to start.  Flonzcraft are again our sponsor and are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
My card base was inked with Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers and Blueprint Sketch, before stamping elements from the  Tim Holtz Correspondence Set along with  some script, in Potting Soil Archival. I also splattered on some Tarnished Brass stain, but you will have to look very hard to see that! the light when I took the photo this week has been so poor.  My Butterfly was stamped and heat embossed with Gold EP, fussy cut  and then coloured with Blueprint Sketch, Peacock Feathers and Abandoned Coral DIs, this was added with some foam pads to help give the wings some definition.  The gold die cut was dulled down with the Tarnished Brass and Vintage Photo stains.
It would be lovely if you could join us for this challenge, which is really  an anything goes - as long as we see you have made your own background and have used real stamping for the main focal image.  The rest of the DT have some wonderful inspiration for you so please pop over to the main blog for all the details.
I am entering this at:
  Allsorts - Golden Days
  We love to Create - Anything Mixed Media Chall. 25
  Penny Black and More - Anything Goes with a Stamp

We've had our first covering of snow here in the N.E, although I missed the actual  'snowing' as I spent the day in heavy rain in York, Christmas shopping with DD.  Whatever you're doing this weekend, hope its a good one.
Thanks for your visit,
Avril xx

Snowflakes /and or/ Winter Whites at TioT

Hello,it's time to tell you about the new challenge Try it on Tuesdays which is 'Snowflakes or Winter Whites' and its out last challenge of 2015 - where has this year gone!
I've gone for Winter Whites  - I don't know why -  as I know they are a nightmare to photograph!
A scalloped edged card, I cut an oval aperture with a Nesti and then die cut the Tattered Poinsettia and Thinlits  Winter Greens holly in white glitter paper.  I stamped and embossed the greeting with Silver EP through the aperture.

A nice festive challenge to end off the year, so it would be lovely if you could join us.  The rest of the DT have some wonderful and varied inspiration, so please pop over the the main blog for all the details.

I am entering this at:
  Make My Monday - White Christmas

Thanks for visiting,
Avril xx

Ladies in Red!!!

Hello, and thanks for visiting.
A few weeks ago I was a winner at Stamping Sensations and was asked to do a Guest Spot for one of their challenges, and as they have Really Reasonable Ribbons as their sponsor this time, the challenge is 'Anything Goes with a Stamp and a Ribbon'.
I've got a few birthdays coming up, so needed to make some 'girly' cards and what better stamps to use than Tim Holtz ' Runway girls.   I used Rose Red Brushos for my colour on all the layers, the background  was made  with  stamps from the TH Correspondence set, and some white embossing paste through the Flourish stencil. The main image was masked before stamping again on either side, I used the Rose Red brushos with the thickener to colour the dresses.
The DT have some fabulous inspiration for this challenge, so why not pop over to their blog for all the details

I am entering this at:
  Love to Create - Anything Mixed Media.
  Penny Black and More - Anything Goes with a Stamp

Thanks for visiting,
Avril xx

It's another 'flat one'

Hello and thanks for visiting today - and talking about visiting we've just arrived home after visiting Krakow for the last week - a last minute booking with not a lot of  preparation time, but very enjoyable.  Lots of walking and sightseeing  and although they have a Christmas Market, which was one of the attractions of going this time of the year, it wasn't as big and varied as I'd expected.
When we got home there were some Christmas cards in our post, which makes me realise just how close Christmas is - better get a move on - so here's another  'flat' card made for the post.  I've inked  up one of my older stamps from Chocolate Baroque (they were Elusive Images when these were bought), stamped this up in Versamark and heat embossed with white EP, I used DIs for the background before layering on to some gold mirri card, added some red and gold glitter, well, it is Christmas and you've got to have sparkle - another simple make.
Hopefully I'll be doing a bit more 'visiting' this weekend and catching up with you in Blogland.
Have a great weekend,
Avril xx

Friends

Hello and thanks for visiting today.
A few weeks ago I was lucky to win over on the Artistic Outpost blog, with my prize money I got the Paperboy stamps and this is the first inking of the beautiful young girls.  My background layer was made a while ago and was just waiting for something feminine but definitely vintage, there's embossing paste, paints and sprays with some random white script stamping that doesn't show at all in the picture.  The girls were stamped with Potting soil Archival and the background was 2nd generation stamping.  The flowers were made with the Tiny Tattered florals.
I am of course going to enter this at Artistic Outpost November challenge, well, it would be rude not to!
I am also entering this at :
  Love to Create - Anything Mixed Media chall 24
  Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

That's it for now,
Avril xx

Gift Bags or Boxes at TioT

Hello its time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and for this fortnight we would like to see Gift Bags or Boxes.
I've done a bit of recycling with mine, DD gave me a gift card Box, so I gently opened up at the side, and recovered with some sparkly paper, easy peasy!  The poinsettia is cut with the TH die, along with the greenery.

It doesn't have to be anything complicated, so why not join us and make something to hold that special gift.
For all the details, and some fabulous inspiration from the DT, please pop over here 

Avril xx

Letter to Santa

Hello,  I made an early start on Christmas cards this year, and I think I'm almost there, most of them have been very simple and quite flat for easy posting and if it hadn't been for the little bell, this was almost flat.
I've used the Tim Holtz 'Letter to Santa' layered with the Postcard script from Stampendous, which I stamped in red and clear embossed.  The background paper was stamped with a snowflake using Versamark and brushed with Perfect Pearls, although most of it isn't showing. The greenery is the TH Thinlits Holiday Greens.

I am entering this at:
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Traditional Christmas
  Penny Black and More - Christmas

Hope you have a great weekend,  Take care,
Avril xx

Gift tag

Just thought I'd have a quick pop in and show a gift tag I made last week for one of the girls who has given up working behind the bar in our local pub, and as poor hubby is 'forced' to  go there every Thursday night when my friend comes over for a 'craft' night, this was what I attached to her leaving present.
I printed the words on card, then cut the tag shape.  The rose is quite large, made from the largest of the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals.
I am entering this at
  Allsorts - Anything but a Card
  Sparkles Monthly - Anything but a Card

I should have been jetting off to Sharm El Sheikh for 2 weeks sunshine tomorrow, but following the Russian plane crash 2 weeks ago, the holiday was cancelled last week - and after Friday nights horrific shootings in Paris, it makes you wonder how these terrorist's minds work to create such carnage.

That's all for now,
Take care,  Avril xx

We're Creating a Scene at TioT

Hello, it's time  for a new challenge over at Try it on Tuesday and this time it's 'Create a Scene' which can be any kind of scene - of the crafting type of course!

I've been busy with  Christmas cards, and used the Winter Cabin from Inkylicious  for my scene. I cut an oval in some card to use as a mask and stamped through it using Potting Soil Archival, I add some hills in the background with the tip of a tree stamp, the sky was coloured with Chipped Sapphire DI.  I then used the oval to mask off the scene,  I used a Snowflake stencil with Versamark ink and White EP, heat set and then shaded the card with Tumbled Glass, Faded jeans and Chipped Sapphire DIs.
The rest of the DT have some wonderful inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main blog for all the details.

I am entering this at:
  Fantasy Stampers - Winter Wonderland
  Rubber Dance - Blue and Tis the Season
  Penny Black and More - Anything Christmas

Well that's another Christmas card suitable for the post, almost finished now.
Avril xx

Winter in Paris at FSC

Hello,  it's time for a new challenge over at Fashionable Stamping  and this time it's Winter in  Paris.  We have Flonzcraft as our sponsor who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
I've used a Sheena Douglas stencil for my background and coloured the background with Distress Inks.
My lady and lamppost are both Clarity stamps and the lady has an extra layer to keep her warm - I paper pieced her coat which had been clear embossed to give a bit more detail.  For the wintry look to Paris I added some  Flower soft  in Polar White and of course my Eiffel Tower had to have the night time sparkle with some fine glitter, which doesn't show in the photo.

It would be lovely if you could join us for this challenge, but remember, we are a stamping challenge so must see the stamping as your focal point and if you need some inspiration, the rest of the DT have come up with some amazing ideas, so please pop over to the main blog.

I am entering this at:
  That's Crafty - Tag You're It
  Natalie and Amy's  - WinterScenes
  Crafty Catz - Winter

That's all from me, apart from to say, if you popped in earlier for the details and found a blank page....somehow, I seen to have lost the last week - I thought the challenge was next Sunday, silly me!

Have a great day,
Avril xx

Brrr.... It's Cold enough for snow!

Only kidding,  but I thought I'd share another Christmas card using the  Tim Holtz Snowman Blueprint sketch,  with a few extra silver embossed snowflakes.  I've used some very old papers, which I inked around the edges with Chipped sapphire and a piece of torn embossed greetings,letting the Merry Christmas show, this was also coloured with the C S ink.  A bit of muslin and a Tim Holtz Snowflake flurries die cut.  A  reasonably flat card, so perfect for posting.
I am entering this at:
  Country View Crafts -  The colour Blue
  Allsorts - Christmas
  Rubber Dance - Colour theme (I've picked Wintry Sky and Tis the Season)
  Penny Black and More - Anything Christmas

Thanks for visiting, I do appreciate it.
Avril xx

Creative Ink

 Hello, just thought I'd let you know I'm still being a good student on the Creative Ink course with Marjie Kemper, not that that's difficult as it's such a great course, and even if you know the process, it's good to revisit and see it from a different perspective, and I'm loving using such bright colours for a change.  The top piece is the Wrinkle free distress, and the next is Perfect Distress, but the Perfect Pearls in the RH corner isn't showing too well in the photo.

As well as my pics on here, I've made a note on the back of each with the ink colours for reference.

Thanks for visiting, I do appreciate it.
Have a good week.
Avril xx

Layers at TioT

It's time for a new challenge over at Try it on Tuesday and this time we would like to see Lots of Layers on  your project.  As usual it's up to you what you make as long as you make us aware of how you built up the layers.
A couple of weeks ago DD bought me some Dovecraft clear stamps that she picked up in a bargain section in a supermarket, so of course I had to use them straight away as a Thank you,  and this doily stamp was included. I stamped and heat embossed it with white EP, then used a TH flourish stencil and Vintage Photo DI, and then covered it with Frayed Burlap before stamping 2nd generation script in Frayed Burlap, and then buffed it with a tissue to remove the ink from the embossing.  After all that, I proceeded to cover it up! The TH words are stamped on vellum and there's a few stamped tickets and a tag under the PaperArtsy image.  My flowers were cut with the tiny tattered florals.
Please pop over to the main blog for all the details and some amazing inspiration from the rest of the DT.
I am entering this at:
  The Crazy Challenge - Vintage
  Cards and Scrap -  Vintage/Shabby chic
Thanks for visiting,
Avril xx

Doing my Homework

Hello, yes, I'm still here, and when I've had time, I've been doing some homework!                                    

A couple of weeks ago I enrolled on an online course run by Marjie Kemper called Inventive Ink.  I know  I've used Distress inks and stencils and stamping for years, and although I have almost all of the DI colours, a lot of them don't get used - I tend to stick to the same ink colours - boring!                                            

So I decided to enroll and use the course as if I didn't know anything and follow to the letter, AND do my  homework as instructed AND, hopefully get 'a push' to really try my hand at journalling.                            

                   So, here are my first couple of pages following Marjie's course, and on the back of each page  I've made a  note of the ink combinations, just like a good pupil should!                                                                                              

It's a great way of making me use colour and Marjie's a great teacher, so all I need now is a bit more time in the day to finish the course - it's just as well it's downloaded and you can view anytime!

Thanks for your visit today, ( just did a preview and I'm right - typing is a bit 'higgledy piggledy' - sorry)  Have a great weekend.
Avril xx

Autumn Leaves

Hello, it's great that you've called in -  you've found me playing with the leaves today - well, not literally, but I'm sure you know what I mean.
I've used the children from Artistic Outpost's Generation Redeux with Autumn colours and leaves, the background was another 'play' with the same inks and stamp from my card from the weekend,  I kept to the same colours for the background of the image, and the girls were stamped and fussy cut.  I thought the sentiment from the Diesel Punk set fitted quite nicely with the expression on their faces.  The leaves are mainly cut from Tim Holtz Autumn Gatherings strip die.
I am entering this at:
  Artistic Outpost - Show us Your Art - October
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Use a Die/Dies (lots of die cut leaves)
  Ruby's Rainbow - Autumn Leaves
  Rubber Dance - Autumn

Thanks for visiting, hope you have a great weekend.
Avril xx

It's Frightening!

Well it's not really that frightening, is it, but it is Halloween - and that's what we would like to see this fortnight over at Try it on Tuesday and for all the details and some fabulous inspiration, please pop over to the main blog.
I've made a 9 x 4" card, I'm really liking this size at the moment, just like a tag, but a bit more useful.
My young lady, Mary the Witch, cat and moon are images from the internet, I gave here a garden wall to lean on and for the poisonous vine to grow over, the verse was printed, then masked before I started inking.  My little bats with their sparkly red glitter eyes are paperclay, The pumpkin is a button from stash.
It would be great if you could join us for this challenge, we would love to see  your Frightening/Halloween makes.
  I am entering this at:
  That Craft Place - Halloween
  Crafty Calendar - Halloween

Well that's it for now, I think if I hang around too long Mary might put a spell on me!
Take care,
Avril xx

Changing Seasons at FSC

It's time for another challenge at Fashionable Stamping and for this month it's 'Changing Seasons' and for all the details, please pop over to the main blog, where you will also see some fabulous inspiration from the rest of the DT.
Our sponsor for this challenge is Flonzcraft, who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
I've made a one layer card, which is a bit unusual for me.  I masked off the borders, then stamped my leaf with Versamark and heat embossed with Gold EP. Next came the Distress inks, Rusty hinge, Wilted Violet, Barn door and Spiced marmalade.. Lastly the script was stamped with Potting Soil Archival.  The sentiment is Inkylicious.
It would be lovely if you could join us for this challenge, but remember, we are a stamping challenge and must see real stamping that follows the theme.
It's a long time since I entered a card at Less is More and guess what - this week the theme is One Layer and Autumn, so it will be making an appearance over there.
I am also entering at:
  Stamping Sensations - Colours of Autumn
  Penny Black and More - Warm Autumn Colours
  Allsorts - No Designer paper

That's it for now, enjoy the rest of your day.
Avril xx

Pretty in Pink

Hi and thanks for visiting, and for all the lovely encouraging comments on the Beeswax piece, as I said, it must have been sitting on my desk for at least 6 months!
Anyhow, it's back to the old faithful of shabby chic today with a card I made for Daughter's 2nd Wedding Anniversary - how time flies!
The background was stamped with Stampendous Garden background using Victorian Velvet and then spritzed with Tarnished brass Distress spray. Some flowers cut the Tattered florals, a little chipboard frame painted with Snowflake fresco and then brushed with Perfect Pearls, the little sentiment was free with some magazine a long time ago.
I am entering this at:
  In the Pink - 123 - (1 butterfly - 2 stamped sentiments - 3 flowers)
  Inky Chicks - Think Pink

That's it for now, have a great weekend.
Avril xx

Beeswax Playtime

Hi, I really don't want to neglect this little blog - again, but I'm trying to catch up and work ahead with DT projects and I'm also doing a little online 'thing' which I will tell you about shortly,  so I am showing a little experiment I tried a while ago after doing the Melt Pot workshop with Hels Sheridan,  it has been on my desk for quite a while as it was something I enjoyed doing, but wasn't too sure if I should show, but as they say, warts and all!!
I started with a piece of  6" x 4" greyboard, covered it with a piece of pattered canvas paper and a thin coat of gesso.
I used beeswax to add a piece of torn napkin,  my lady was stamped onto a piece of tissue and torn to fit before adding with more beeswax, I also added some tissue music. Everything was given another coat of beeswax before stamping into the hot beeswax corners. A little brushing with  Bronze Perfect Pearls gives it a gorgeous sheen, but made it a nightmare to photo!
I am entering this at:
 Love to Create - Anything Mixed Media
 The Craft Barn - People
 That Craft Place - Anything Mixed Media
 Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting, have a good week,
Avril xx

Chocolate!

Hello - nothing for weeks and then 2 posts!   Well I had to be quick with this one as I am just squeezing in with  Artistic Outpost's September Show us Your Art.  I've had these bits on my desk just waiting to be put together, but couldn't remember where I put my stash of corrugated card when I did my craftroom revamp, fortunately a parcel arrived yesterday  and I couldn't wait to open it so I could have the box and finish the card!
I am also entering this at:
  Vintage Stamping Challenge - Tic Tac Toe (top line - Twine (on the little tag), Vintage tones and people).

Thanks for visiting, I do appreciate it,
Avril xx

Autumn - Colours or Leaves at TioT

Hello -  yes -  I'm still around - just needed to take time out to catch up on a few things, but now I can't wait to get started again, which is just as well as there's a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday where our theme this time is 'Autumn'  -   Colours / Leaves - it's up to you how you interpret this as long as it has that Autumnal theme to it.
My make this time started by wanting to use a piece of leftover card that had been embossed with a brick stencil, and the TH Grass EF on the bottom,  it had been coloured up for another project, but had ended up in the bits box.  I also wanted to use the TH Autumn Gatherings die strip that I bought recently,  as well as some tiny acorns that were picked up on a recent walk.  The words are from a free stamp with CS magazine.  The top 2 leaves were made with papercraft clay.
The rest of the DT have some fabulous Autumn inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main blog  and check out all the details.
I am entering this at :
  That Craft Place - Anything Mixed Media
  Simply Create Too - Autumn Splendor
  Make My Monday - Autumn Colours

Thanks for visiting and I'll catch up with you very soon.
Avril xx

Add some Metal for TioT

It's time for a new Challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time it's 'Add some Metal'  as usual it's up to you what you make and how you interpret this, as long as we can see some metal.
I decided on a canvas with some metal embellishments.  After a coat of Gesso, I dry brushed it with mix of PaperArtsy Snowflake and Taupe, then embossing paste through the TH Gothic stencil and also TWC script stencils. I dry brushed on a little more Taupe around the edges just to shabby it up a bit.  My flowers were all hand made in different shades so I gave them a thin coat of Gesso as I wanted some paler colour to show through. and as a contrast I coloured the leaves with Peeled paint and Forest moss DIs.  The wooden embellishments and chipboard letters were Gessoed and then distressed with Frayed Burlap before highlighting with Bronze gilding wax.  The pen nib and little washers were rusted with Alcohol inks and wax.
The rest of the DT have some fabulous inspiration for you so please pop over to the main blog where you will also find all the details.
I am entering this at:
  Frilly & Funky - Stamps be Gone
  Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes
  Eclectic Ellapu - Pink Team Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting, I do appreciate it.
Avril xx

Words for FSC

It's time for another challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this month the theme is 'Words' and for all the details please pop over to the main blog where there is also some fabulous inspiration form the rest of the DT.  Our sponsor for this challenge is Flonzcraft who are offering 1 Lucky Random Winner a $20 spend in their online store.
I've gone for a 4 x 8 card, the background was made with embossing paste through a Tim Holtz Flourish Stencil, I then added clear Embossing powder. which was heat set when the paste was dry. I used spray stains in Dried Marigold and Victorian Velvet. My butterfly was cut with the Tim Holtz Duo Butterfly die, I stamped Hero Arts French Script and heat embossed with Bronze EP, a little bit of shading with Victorian Velvet and Evergreen bough and then a rub with Frosted Lace Stickles, there is also a vellum layer. My ticket was stamped with Potting soil Archival along with the main sentiment, but that got the heat embossing treatment with clear powder.
It would be lovely if you could join us for this challenge, but remember we are a stamping challenge and your stamping must follow the current theme of Words.
  I am entering this at:
    Love to Create -  Anything ixed Media/Creative
    The Craft Barn - Stencils/masks
    Penny Black and More - Anything Goes

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday,
Avril xx

Mini File Folder Album

Hello and thanks for visiting,  crafting time has been a little short lately, but over the last few weeks I've been making a little mini file folder, I was inspired by the fabulous ones the very talented Astrid makes and when she kindly shared some gorgeous freebie papers, well I just couldn't resist.  This was a great little project to make as it was so easy to just pick up whenever, and the pages were stuck with d/s tape (boring job) but which is a nice easy thing to do when watching t.v.
My little folder was made following this video here
My cover started out as a piece of grey card, I used embossing paste through a couple of stencils then gave it a coat of gesso.  It was then sprayed, inked, sprayed and inked to within an inch of it's live, but now it has a lovely soft  leather feel to it, I was afraid at one stage that it might disintegrate!  The floral embellishment is paperclay, coloured with DIs and then given a coat of Glossy Accents.
The papers, all freebies from Astrid - Thank you - had a little distressing and extra stamping with Weathered wood DI.  A little bit picture heavy...

 And the back cover was given the same 'treatment'. The album has lots of pockets to store journalling notes and photographs.

Well, if you're still with me, hope you like my little album.
I am entering this at:
  Creative Corner - Anything but a Card
  Creative Inspirations -  Vintage
  Fab & Funky - Shabby Chic
  Deep Ocean Challenge - Shabby chic

Have a great weekend,
Avril xx
   

Christmas No.2

Hello and thanks for visiting, it's a very miserable grey day here in the N.E, so much so I struggled to get a decent photo and had to use the daylight lamp.  Christmas card no. 2, thought I'd better make a start - last year I ended up buying quite a few. I've used the TH mixed media die, again,( I really must use the others as much as I've used this one)  sprayed a piece of red card with the Tarnished Brass Stain to fit under the die cut area,  heat embossed some music script in gold on the smallest of the Tattered Poinsettia flowers, a little bit of foliage brushed with Enchanted Gold wax, quick but effective, especially if you want to make a few - I think I will be doing some die cutting  with the CB on my knee while watching t.v.
I am entering this at:
   Holly Jolly Christmas - Die cuts

I would like to say 'hello' and 'thank you' to a couple of new followers, it's lovely that you want to join me on my crafty journey.
That's it for now enjoy the rest of your week,
Avril xx

A catch up

Hello, well my week didn't go as planned, but I did manage a little play time to finish this card which was die cut and stencilled a few weeks ago - I suppose that's a good thing as I didn't have to worry about the embossing  being dry before I inked and sprayed! I've used Milled lavender on the top and Dusty concord on the base layer.

My butterfly had lots of inks and sprays before being given a coat of rock candy Distress crackle, just love all that crackle and shine, but so difficult to photograph.
I am entering this at:
   Eclectic Ellapu where the pink teams theme is Anything Goes
  Artistic Stamper - Things with Wings

I thought I would share this photos, we had the most beautiful sunset a couple of nights ago, and I couldn't resist taking this view from my craft room window.

Also, a few years ago DD bought me a fig plant for Mother's Day and for the last 3 years I have had about 6 figs each year, this year I've got about 12 and this is the first that has ripened and it's the biggest ever!  A fig this size grown outdoors in the N.E of England!!

That's all for now, off to make a cup of coffee and a Blogland catch up.
Avril xx

Try Something New for TioT

Hello, I've made my first Christmas card this year!  Well, the new challenge at Try it on Tuesday is 'Try Something New' - now that could be new stash/new technique - whatever as long as it's new and you tell us what the 'new' is.
I've used one of the Tim Holtz Holiday Knits rubber stamps, I picked them up at a local craft fair for £8 and they were new, such a bargain.  I've also used a new Tim Holtz Thinlits Blueprint Snowman, thanks Diane for letting me use it first.  His 'broom' is a new technique for me - Pamellia our very talented teamie did a little tutorial (probably last year) on making winter greens with a fringed die and this is my 'take' thanks Pamellia.
So lots of 'new' on my card, I need to think about making the rest now.
The rest of the DT have some fabulous 'new' things to show you, so please pop over to the main blog.
I'm sure you all have lots of 'new stuff' so why not show us and join in with this challenge.
I'm entering the following challenges:
  Holly Jolly Christmas - Use a Die
 
Have a great week,
Avril xx

A little late!

Hello,  and as the title suggests - this post is a little late as it was supposed to be a mid challenge reminder for our challenge at Try it on Tuesday which is 'Sending you Flowers', but as other things got in the way of this poor neglected blog it's a little late - but better late than never as you still have a couple of days to enter.
I've used an Imaginations Craft stencil and embossing paste over an ink stencilled background.  The sentiment is from a Jofy set, heat embossed and cut apart.

I am entering this at:
  Love to Create - Anything Mixed Media
  That Craft Place - Anything Mixed Media

Just a short post, and hopefully I'll  be back soon,
Enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday whatever you're doing.
Avril xx

Sending you flowers for TioT

Hello, time to tell you about the new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and our theme this fortnight is 'Sending you Flowers', as usual it's up to what you make as long ans there are flowers.
I've  used my favourite background stamp from the Tim Holtz Papillion set, embossed with white EP and then shaded with Cracked Pistachio and Abandoned Coral DIs, the little tag sentiment is also Tim Holtz. Flowers and leaves are cut from the Tattered Floral die. The base layer is a piece of embossed vellum, torn to fit the base card.
The rest of the DT have some fabulous inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main blog where you will also find all the details.
I am entering this at:
   Country View Crafts - Summertime

That's it for now,
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Avril xx

Vintage Flower Garden

Hello, hope you're all having a good weekend and enjoying a little bit of sunshine.
After a morning out in Durham with DH, I managed a couple of hours crafting yesterday, I'd wanted to have a try at using the Tim Holtz Flower Garden stamps in a vintage style. So after masking the stamped flower, I used one of the Distressed Damask stamps, and heat embossed with clear EP, next came the Papillion script, inked with Faded Jeans and 2nd generation stamping. The background was coloured with Tumbled Glass, Broken China and Faded Jeans DIs. My little butterfly was stamped with Faded jeans and layered up on the same image stamped on vellum.  The flower was then water coloured with Spun sugar and Peeled paint for the leaves. It's almost 'flat' apart from the pearl, so it's one to keep for the post!

I am entering this at:
  Allsorts - Share your favourite colour (I love all colours and I adore pink peony roses)
  Penny Black at Allsorts - Summer Flowers

I've been to a local Craft show this morning, I didn't need anything, just a couple of basics, but it was nice to meet up with a couple of crafty friends for coffee and a chat, but now, a late start to tidy up the mess I made yesterday so I can start again!
Avril xx

Vintage pink for In the Pink

Hello, second post in a week - things must be looking up!  Well I couldn't miss the challenge over at In the Pink as it's their 3rd Birthday and as it's an easy one of Anything Goes, so it would be rude not to.
One of my favourite vintage ladies - from Oxford Impressions April in Paris set, some very old pink papers, I think they're Papermania, and a big shabby bow and flowers,and as old Mojo has been a bit slow lately, a favourite style to get him going again. It also uses up some of the mountain of papers that somehow have filled a huge box - and I haven't bought any papers for well over a year.
That's it for now,
Have a great week,
Avril xx

I do like to be beside the Seaside!

Sorry, I just couldn't resist as this card is for the new challenge at Fashionable Stamping which is 'Seaside or  Beach'  and as we are now a monthly challenge you have plenty of time to join in, but just remember, we are a stamping challenge and do need to see stamping that follows the theme.  We have Flonzcraft as our sponsor and they are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
I've used a Crafty Individuals set CI 278 and my bathing beauty was coloured with Distress Markers. The sentiments were both stamped and heat embossed with Clear EP.  My little collection of tiny shells were collected on a recent holiday.  Although this is a  5 x 7 card, I think I might turn it into a little wall hanging.
The rest of the team have some great inspiration for you and all the details can be found on the main blog.
I am going to enter this at:
  Country View Challenges - Summertime
  Allsorts - Inspired by Summer
  Fussy and Fancy Fridays - Lazy Summer Days
  Artistic Stamper - Anything Goes
  Eclectic Ellapu - By the Sea

Have a great day,
Avril xx

  

Use Stencils at TioT

Hello, it's time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time we would like you to use Stencils on your project.
I've  used the Tim Holtz Wildflower stencil with embossing paste and some Perfect Pearls, on a  card base cut with the Mixed Media die and inked with Shaded lilac, Dusty concord and a hint or Worn lipstick, a little random script stamping with Shaded lilac, the under layer was stamped with the same script.
The rest of the team have some fabulous inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main blog for all the details.
I am entering this at:
  That's Crafty- Purple Passion

Thanks for visiting today, have a good week.
Avril xx

Christening

Hello, and thanks for your visit,  if you are a regular visitor, you may remember that I've shown a few of the 'lots' of New Baby cards that I've made over the last few months.  We received an Invitation to DD's best friends baby's Christening - dilemma, I had used the only suitable stamp on the 'new' card, so no          stamping, just die cuts and flowers and  computer generated  wording.  A bit bulky so I made a matching  box, with die cut letters for baby's name.                                                                                              

It was actually a 'double' Christening, with  Ellia's cousin who is a few months older, so it was 2 cards and 2 boxes.

My Grand Calibur has never worked so hard! but I do think the cards are  pretty.

That's all for now, I've been a bit 'out of the loop' so to speak, lack of time due to decorating, but I think that's the end till next year!
Catch up with you soon.
Avril xx