It's Springtime at Fashionable Stamping

Hello and thank you for visiting.  Today we have a new challenge over at FSC and yes, it's Springtime!
We have our wonderful sponsor Flonzcraft who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
When thinking about this challenge, I decided on a soft Spring shades, Floral chintz  and of course Romance which of course could mean Paris.  So I have used Stampendous 'I Love Paris'  with the matching Blossom Spray for the base card. The middle layer is TH Papillion Script, embossed with Bright White EP.   All shading was done with Tumbled Glass and Spun Sugar and edged with Frayed Burlap DIs  - think I got the look I was after.
The rest of the team have some wonderful inspiration for you, just in case Spring hasn't arrived in your part of the world!
Don't forget, we are a stamping challenge and must see 'real' stamping.
I am entering this at:
  Allsorts - Spring is in the Air
  Artistic Stamper - Spring is Coming
  WOW Embossing - Spring
  Penny Black and More - Blossoms and Bows

Had a great Workshop yesterday with the very talented Hels Sheridan, will tell you all about it tomorrow,

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Avril xx

It's Springtime at Try it on Tuesdays

Its time for another challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time its Springtime, as usual it's up to you what you create as long as you follow the theme.
For my tag/card I have used the Stampendous I Love Paris in the Springtime, image shaded with Distress Inks.  The base tag was coloured with the Marbled Stains technique, them overstamped with the TH Papillion script., such a shame most of it was covered up with an embossed vellum and french script from an old book.  I stamped the TH film strip and then cut paper images from the Madam Paurade papers.
My flower was cut from fabric using the Tattered Florals die.
It would be lovely if you could join us, and if you need any inspiration pop over the the main blog and you will also see the beautiful creation from our Guest Designer Margik.

That's it for me for the moment, so sorry I have been such a rubbish blogger of late, but 'life' just took over, hopefully normal service will resume soon.

I am entering this at:
  Ali-Craft - Spring
  Fantasy Stampers - Distress It
  Craft for the Craic - Spring

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

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

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
  

D is for..

Hi Folks, its time for another letter in our Alphabet Challenge and this time its D for Daffodil.
Lesley, our wonderful leader has decided to retire and this is the last one she will be hosting, so please give her a challenge to remember and join us.  Luckily, Shaz has agreed to step in and take over the reins, so I am sure we will continue to be in safe hands.
My image was stamped last year when I attended a workshop run by Jill Tuck from the Stampman, and she kindly let us play with with various stamps that she had brought along, so thanks Jill.
I couldn't remember what inks had been used, so I played safe and coloured the image with my Karismacolor pencils, I haven't used these since buying Promarkers - but they were so nice to use again.
I used chalks to soften the image and DI Vintage Photo to distress the edges.
The sentiment is computer, as I always think of Daffodils and Easter.
We would love it if you could join us for this challenge, and if you take a look here, you will see what my creative  teamies have for your inspiration.

I am entering this at:
  4Craftychicks - Easter
  Crafty Creations - Easter
  Loves Rubberstamps - Easter
  ABC - Easter

I hope you all have a Happy Easter whatever you're doing.

Avril xx

Fashionable Paper piecing

Hi Folks,
Its time for another challenge over at Fashionable Stamping and this time you can have some fun with paper piecing, something I hadn't done for quite a while.
For my DT piece, no pun intended -I decided on an easel card, something else I haven't made in a while,  I  used the Stampendous Rose Corset, stamped with Versafine, and the large Romantic Rectangle was distressed with Spun Sugar DI.  I used a pink spot paper from the Pink Petticoat Vintage Rose collection to stamp the corset,  cut out the corset shape and flowers and added to my image. The darker pink spot backing is a freebie from a magazine purchase,  I stamped the rose part of the corset for a little detail on the base..
My wonderful Teamies have some amazing inspiration for you, so do pop over here to take a look.  Don't forget, our Winner will receive a $20 prize from the lovely Leo at Flonzcraft to spend in his online store.

I am entering this at:
  Dynamic Duos - Monochromatic Pink
  CharismaCardz - Diecuts
  Addicted to Stamps - Easel cards
  Pile it On - Dots
  No Matter Which Challenges - Anything Goes

That's it for now, I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend, we seem to have missed the snow, but I know many of you have had more than a covering!  Stay safe, and just think - perfect crafting weather!

Avril xx

Isn't She Lovely!

Hi Folks,

Isn't she gorgeous, I bought this IndigoBlu stamp (and a couple of others) at GNP on Saturday and have been itching to have some  time to play, managed a couple of hours this afternoon and she had to have priority! I used Victorian Velvet and repeatedly stamped the Stampendous Garden Background onto pink card, my 'Elizabeth Bennet' was stamped onto Vellum and her face was tinted with Promarkers. I layered her onto a piece of torn pink card before placing over some dyed Muslin, unfortunately you need to look closely to see this layer, it just didn't photograph too well!  The little tag, which I'd forgotten I had - its good to re-organise sometimes, was stamped with Vic. Velvet. A small bouquet of roses make this card perfect for the challenge at In the Pink which is Floral/Mothers Day.  I also stamped an extra butterfly onto vellum coloured this and added using Glossy Accents - this, together with the Pearls makes the card suitable for the Heck of a Challenge - Spring/Pearls & Butterfly.
I am also entering this in:
  Joanna Sheen - Mums the Word
  Emmas Cards UK - Vintage
  The Crafting Cafe - Favourite Colour
  Vintage Stamping Challenges - Spring is in the Air

Had a great time at Harrogate on Saturday, met up for a natter with some Blogging friends and also said 'hello' to a few new ones, Oh, and while I was there,  bought some new goodies, but I was good and even came home with money!

Thats it for now,
Avril xx

Time Flies at TioT

Hi Folks,

Its time for another challenge at Try it on Tuesdays and this time its 'Time Flies'.  We are again sponsored by Really Reasonable Ribbons with a $15 voucher for their online store.
For my card I had to keep it fairly simple as we are in the middle of major re-decoration,( more about that later).  I embossed the TH Clocks onto white canvas as I couldn't find my white linen card - good job the canvas was reduced in a certain German Supermarket. The sentiment is Stampendous, inked with Dusty Concord and embossed with Clear EP. The TH clock die cut was coloured with chalks and the outer cut was raised with foam pads, flowers from stash and a Computer sentiment.  The rest of the DT have some amazing projects, so please pop over here to take a look.

Life, hopefully, should be returning back to normal, just a few jobs to do in the revamped 'craft room' and then I will be able to unpack and find everything!!!  Unfortunately for me, I came last in the decorating rota, which meant 'my' room became the storage hold, and although I am a messy crafter, I couldn't craft in such upheaval, but now that DD has finally moved her mountain of  'a few things left'  from the summer, the 'new spare room' was priority.
'Hello' to my new follower, so lovely to see you, and hopefully I will be able to do some blog visiting and do a catch up with all your lovely crafty makes.

I am entering this card in:
  Sweet Stamps - Embossing Folder/Die(s)/Stamp - use all 3
  Crafty Calendar - Love & Marriage
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Thats it for now, and thanks for looking,

Avril xx

Lets Get Stitchy at Try it on Tuesday

Hi Folks,

Its time for another Challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time we would love you to get 'Stitchy' these can be real or 'faux'.
For my card, I have used Stampendous Rose Corset, coloured with Distress Markers, I also stamped the edge of a swirl stamp in Tumbled Glass around the edge, before stitching.  The paper from K&Co  was also stitched and all distressing was done with Antique Linen and Vintage Photo inks. The small tag is Katzelkraft.  The rose is a TH Tattered Florals die.
The rest of the DT have some fabulous creation to show, so please pop over here to take a look.  But don't forget, you can only link up to 5 challenges, including ours. We are again sponsored by http://www.crafty-emblies.org/  who are offering a £10 voucher for our January winner.

I am entering this in:
  Our Creative Corner - Shabby Chic
  ATCs & Cards with Attitude - Add a Tag
  Make It Monday - Anything Goes
  Card Making Mamas - So Girly


Before I go, I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followers, thank you for choosing to follow my crafting journey.

Thanks for looking

Avril xx

Christmas Home Sweet Home for Fashionable Stamping

Hi Folks,

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

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

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

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

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

Avril xx

Springtime in Paris

Hi All,

Just a quickie post, as I have been trying to find time to upload this card since Friday! 
The theme over at Craft Room Challenges is 'Music' and at the Stamp Man - Use vellum, so I have combined the two.  The background is a Stampendous Stamp and I have inked it with Bundled Sage and although it doesn't fit the card, you can't see  where I have 'joined 'it. There is also some random music notes stamped around.  The vellum was inked up with and IndigoBlu music stamp and then distressed.  The image is another Stampendous and I have sponged  with Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint, Spun Sugar and Vintage Photo inks. the flowers were coloured with Promarkers and layered.
I would also like to enter this card in:
  Craft Room Challenges - Music
  The Stamp Man - Use Vellum
  Aud Sentiments - Spring/Summer colours
  MAWTT - Shabby Chic or Vintage
  Rainbow Lady's - A touch of vintage

That's it for now, been out for a lovely lunch and off to enjoy a cosy evening with DH as its our Wedding Anniversary (didn't realise it was the same day as the Titanic sank, until this year) - can't neglect him for blogging tonight!!

Avril xx