Sharon Iannuzzi

DB Flower Patch collection

2012-01-24T08:26:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post. Here is a piccie of the cards I have created in the last week using Dawn Bibby's new flower patch collection. The colours are so fresh and springlike. Let's hope Spring is on the way as I am freezing today!!

Why is my picture upside down when it is the right way around on my computer?! Answers on a postcard please!

Green and Brown . . .

2012-01-17T04:48:00.000-08:00

. . . seems to be the colour choice today! These were made with some of the papers and rub ons I won in an Abi's craft competition. I have also used the Funky Four stamp set from Stampin Up, along with their Lucky Limeade ink pad. The ribbons were bought at the NEC and the wooden flowers are from Handy Hippo. The luggage label was purchased in a pack of different coloured lablels for 99p in The Works!

Let the tidy up commence!

2012-01-14T01:50:00.000-08:00

Well I'm half way through the major sort of the craft room and am putting everything in it's place! Really must stick to the plan of not purchasing anymore big kits as I have boxes of stuff!!! Best get busy! How are you getting on with your resolutions?!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone in Blog Land!

Have you made any new years resolutions? My crafty resolutions are -

1. to finish my papercraft certificate

2. not to buy any more large card making kits until I have used what I have already got

3. keep my craft room tidy

Well number 2 has been broken already as I am awaiting the arrival of Dawn Bibby's new spring collection. I wasn't going to buy it but then she teased us with the hint of more collections to come over the year and also responded to me on her facebook page that I should leave my shelf clear for later in the year!

I'll let you know how I get on with the other 2, although to achieve number 3 I will need to tidy the room first!

Having a play!

2011-12-02T03:27:00.000-08:00

Been experimenting with distress inks, stamps, cosmic shimmer, chipboard and UTEE embossing powder and here are the results! To make the tags I stamped them using a background stamp and used the same colour distress ink to ink the edges. Then I stamped the main image in the middle of the tag and rubbed cosmic shimmer over the top of the tag with my finger. I gave a little spritz of water to fix the powder. I used my ink pad to ink around the edges.

I started with a blank chipboard shape from papermania and covered with a perfect medium clear inkpad. I then covered with either gold embossing powder or extra thick white powder. Once heated with my heat gun I allowed to cool then with the white powder I repeated this 3 times to create a thick covering. To make the tree I used a combination of white and gold powder.

Colouring in!

2011-11-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

Have had a play with my blank Kanban toppers and had a theraputic colouring in session this evening! I used my Pro Markers on the foiled blank toppers. There's nothing like a bit of colouring in! Pictures to follow :-)

Christmas is coming!

2011-10-26T07:04:00.001-07:00

These were all made using a Kanban kit. In the kit there are foiled blanks and foiled toppers. I've added a touch of ribbon and stuck some of the images on using 3D foam. In the kit there are also white foiled toppers for you to colourise. They are on the list for the next play session!

Another 50th Birthday!

2011-10-24T02:42:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a run on 50th Birthdays recently! This is a card the girls at work asked me to make for our friend and work collegue Heather. She likes purple and butterflies. I started with a scalloped base card which I really love using at the moment. I cut a piece of purple card to size and then cut a slightly smaller piece of purple glitter acetate (Kanban). I attached these together using white flower brads from paperchase. I then used a strip of the purple card with white ribbon over and wound these round the panel. I stuck the panel to the base card using double sided tape. I used a scalloped and circle punch to create the half moon shape which I then stuck the peel off numbers to. The bottle top was made by adding a beaded flower and filling with glossy accents and allowing to dry. The butterflies are white peel offs which I stuck onto patterned paper and cut round. These were attached using 3D foam to make them stand out. Using the peel off waste I punched out some white flowers to add into the corners to match the brads.

50th Birthday

2011-09-11T12:44:00.001-07:00

This is a card I made for a lady who asked me to make a card to give to her twin sister on their 50th Bithday next weekend. I used polka dot paper from the Kanban Cambridge collection, card to matt and layer the images from my stash, along with the glitter sticker and gems. The die cut champagne bottles were found on ebay. I layered up the paper and once I was happy with the design I stuck the backing paper and card down. I used a quickie glue pen and silver glitter to make a 5 and 0 on each bottle. The greeting was printed from my PC and cut out with a circle punch and then backed with a scalopped punch. The champagne bottles are attached with 3D foam. The ribbon and gems add finishing accents. Congratulations to the 2 ladies on their special birthday!

Must blog more!

2011-08-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

I always seem to say this but now that I am working towards a cetificate in papercrafting I must add to this blog as well as my facebook page. This will provide evidence for module 2 which demonstrates your continued professional development in papercrafting.

These candles are a recent project. I stamped the images onto very thin baking parchment and coloured them in using pro markers. I cut round them and lightly adhered them to the candle. Using my heatgun I gently heated them until the wax began to melt and then the paper adheres itself to the candle. I sold 2 of them at an event last weekend!

Hello!

2011-06-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I recieved a lovely letter and ATC swaps from my crafty pal Mary who asked if I still had this blog. The answer is yes Mary and you have prompted me to make a post on it! I wasn't sure if anyone still looked at it as I tend to be more devoted to Facebook where I have set up a business page called 'Cards By Mrs I.' Joanne I must too write to you with some swaps. xx

Last weekend was fab as I went to Peterborough to attend Leonie's first workshop there. I met some lovely friendly crafters and learn't lot's of new things. It has encourgaed me to look at my stash in a different way and try out new things which are out of my comfort zone.

So the theory is if I can update my facebook page with piccies then I can do my blog at the same time! That should be easy to remember but as for twitter - that's something I am still getting to grips with!

Piccie - Leonie, me and Andrea (C&C's magic hands!)

Crafting of a different kind!

2011-01-02T12:17:00.000-08:00

My little boy was facinated with my gingerbread house and wanted to sit and watch the walls set before I put the roof on. When it was finished he put his arm around me and said 'Mummy it's lovely!' Happy New Year everyone!

Neglect!

2010-12-26T14:18:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Hope you are enjoying the festivities. As usual I have neglected my blog in light of my new facebook page Cards By Mrs I. My intention/ new years resolution is to try and remember to update my blog when I post pics on my facebook page. Let's see if I can remember to do that! Here's a picture of my stall at a recent craft fair. Enjoy the rest of the holidays!

Clocks!

2010-10-31T03:42:00.000-07:00

Hello I'm back in Blog Land! I treated myself to a netbook laptop so I'm well away! Here is a topical card for todau. Isn't it lovely having an extra hour! This card was an experiment with stamping and using distress inks and I was quite pleased with the result!

Macmillan Coffee Morning

2010-09-23T13:04:00.001-07:00

On Saturday 2nd October I'm having a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan. I will be selling my handmade cards. Cheryl will be doing manicures and selling nail gift sets and Sharon is head of refreshments! We are also hoping to have Kim and her handsewn gifts. There will also be a tombola in aid of Macmillan. Looking forward to showing everyone my new pink kitchen!

I'm married!

2010-08-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic day last Saturday, the weather was kind and a good time was had by all! We are going away next weekend but this wekend will be a quiet one. X Factor, a bottle of wine and my husband will make for an ideal Saturday night!

nearly there!

2010-08-03T03:25:00.001-07:00

Yes I am still here! Wedding plans have taken over my life!!!! 11 more sleeps to go! Here is a (before!) picture from my hen night, although it looks like I've had a few already with my eyes shut! My oldest bridesmaids are either side of me and Cheryl on the right booked a Limo to take us to Ipswich and then we went on a river cruise down the River Orwell. The boat had a Abba and 70's theme disco on board with a buffet. On the way back we watched fireworks from the boat which Cheryl claimed she had ordered and that they were not for Jools Holland who was playing in the park! I will be sure to post some wedding pics and then recapture my crafty life in the Autumn!

new Paperchase shop!

2010-06-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

I was very excited to find that we have a Paperchase shop! I was like a child in a sweet shop! I bought these 3 postcards as I have a current love of peacocks and flamingoes. I've even bought inflatable flamingoes for the wedding! Not sure what I will do with these postcards yet. I may frame them and put them up in my new craft room. Phil is building a garage with a part of it sectioned off for my craft room! Very exciting!

Absent from Blog Land!

2010-05-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hello all!!

I have been absent from Blog Land for too long! Wedding plans have completely taken over my life so there hasn't been much time for crafting! The wedding is 3 months this weekend! Aaaah!

In between the appointments etc I have managed to make this quick card with some stamps I won from a magazine giveaway and some pretty dress peel offs I found in my travels. I have coloured in the peel off and stuck it on acetate before attached to the pretty paper which I have stamped on to create a scene. Hope you are all well. xx

Cookies!

2010-02-15T03:26:00.000-08:00

For this months challenge over on The artist trading club is to doodle a background and then add anything you like over the top. I started with a base card cut from the scrap card I have on my craft table when I am stamping. I then used my whispers pens to doodle over what was already on the card and added a touch of ink. I then added some magazine pics and bits and bobs form my craft box. Having intially thought 'oh crikey' when I saw the challenge, I was quite pleased wiht how they turned out!

Love

2010-02-07T04:29:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year again! Here is a card I made using some free magazine papers and card from my local craft shop (which has closed this weekend due to retirement but another one has opened yesterday hurrah!). The glitter chipboard letters are from a QVC kit. Sorry the picture is a bit wonky, the card is straight honest!

Stamping!

2010-01-31T12:22:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to get more confident with my stamping now and experimenting with different images. this card uses a distress ink pad, Whispers pens and my favourite product of the moment - glossy accents. The stamps are from Particraft.

..............................more!

2010-01-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

Here are some more of my 'recycled backgrounds' ATC's. I'm on a roll with these!

perfect craft weather!

2010-01-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

The snow looks so beautiful - this was yesterady and we've had loads more since!

However it does cause problems - the front of my car is smashed and I think I have a hen with a broken leg! You can see their house on the left of the photo. But it's great crafty weather!

When I'm stamping I like to keep a sheet of card on my table which gets covered in ink, glitter, glue etc! I have recycled this by cutting into ATC size and inking over with my ink pads to create backgrounds. I added some stickers and rub ons and was really pleased with the results.

Remember if you see something you like - get in touch! (Joanne I'll save one for your next package!)

Christmas over!

2009-12-30T13:13:00.000-08:00

Well that's another one over - where does the time go?! I realise that I haven't blogged any Xmas cards but that will have to wait until next year now!

My new years resolution (well one of them!) is to post more pics of cards, not just ATC's. This is mainly because on the back of the cards I sell I put a sticker with my email and blog address on. So people who buy my cards may have a look at my blog to see what else I've been up to.

Another resolution is to attend more craft fairs this year. I have bought so much craft stuff recently (I blame Leonie and the C&C sale!) that I just need to use up what I have before I buy anything else and sell some of the mountain of cards I've made. Yes I know this probably won't last as I NEED all the new products!

Here are 2 quick cards I made using some black glitter cards I bought in the sale. When Nigel showed them on air he said you either love them or hate them. I love them and teamed them with some oriental toppers from the other channel (controversial!). I thought they might be a bit gauddy but I think they have worked. I do like my bright colours!

Happy New Year everyone!

2009-12-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

A day off today due to the snow! I've stayed in the warm and caught up on some odd jobs! Here is a quick card using a Kanban kit. It was inspired by my trip to the beauty salon last weekend. I had an hour and a half of chocolate treatments including a cocoa body wrap and chocolate facial! Yum!

freebies!

2009-12-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

Through my letter box today popped my new copy of Papercraft Inspirations along with 3 sets of the free gift! If you don't subscribe to this mag or would like another set drop me a line and I'll send you a pack. I've got 2 sets spare. I am wondering how I managed without my new printer scanner. I love it, it's so quick to scan cards in. Must go to bed now and stop playing!

Something different!

2009-12-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

Here is a technique I learnt on C&C. You stamp onto tissue paper, cut roughly around the image and use a small piece of glue to attach to a candle. Wrap the candle in greaseproof paper and gently heat with your heat gun until the tissue paper stamped image is adhered to the candle. Take care not to heat too much as the candle will melt too much and you'll end up with un uneven candle surface! A very effective technique I thought!

Happy Birthday to me!

2009-12-08T01:41:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to me! I wonder what surprises I have in store for today....?

I'm feeling clever!

2009-12-06T09:27:00.001-08:00

I have just installed my new printer/scanner and it all works so I am feeling very pleased with myself! I've managed to scan 2 ATC's I've made this week. It's funny how sometimes us crafters can stick with what we are currently interested in and forget earlier techniques. I had forgotten about using pens diresctly on stamps so to create these I used my Whispers pens directly on a stamp on the left hand card. On the other card I made a background wash using Whispers pens onto a wet paintbrush and then stamped over the top. Each ATC is finished with a acetate ATC cover. Hope you like them!

Particraft!

2009-11-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

I went to my second Particraft party last night hosted by the lovely Sara. I treated myself (well you've got to haven't you!?) to these stamp sets plus some more Tim Holtz distress ink pads and I'm going to dabblle in alcohol inks for the first time. I was inspired by Sara's demos! I can't wait for my toys to arrive! On C&C this morning Leonie was hosting a show which had the Particraft products on with Sheena demonstrating so I got even more inspiration! http://www.particraft.co.uk/

Birds!

2009-11-24T13:45:00.000-08:00

I've gone a bit earthy with this one! The bird is chipboard and was 75p for 2 in my local craft shop so I had to have them. I tinted the chipboard with a brown ink pad and then stamped swirls on using black ink. A bit of matting and layering and a play with my new X cut pink corner punch (had to be pink!), finished it off. I really like how this one turned out! This morning I am sure I saw a heron hovering around the back garden. He'd have no luck with the pond as we lost all our fish in the summer but the chickens stopped digging for worms and looked up!

I can't work out how to flip the piccie now it's in and it won't let me delete it - sorry!

Perfect weather for crafting!

2009-11-14T07:31:00.001-08:00

How cold is it?! I am not leaving the house all day today! I'm fighting a cold so will order a chinese tonight before X Factor. Here's hoping the twins get their final weekend!

Me and Marco have been busy in the craft room this morning. He is using double sided tape to make a glitter picture! Thank goodeness the spare room has a laminate floor!

I'm back!

2009-11-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

After a bit of a break with interviews etc I am now back into craft mode! Here is a quick post of a new technique I had a play with last week. I tried sticking peel offs onto acetate and colouring on the back with permanent pens. It creates a stain glass window effect and I found the colouring in quite theraputic! I cut around the peel offs and attached them to a strip of patterned paper with brads and matted this onto my base card with matching paper. I enjoyed this and will definatly try more of this technique!

camera's!

2009-10-04T13:24:00.001-07:00

Had really good intentions to blog tonight - for the first time in a long time! However my camera had other ideas and won't charge up for some reason. Never mind, I'll have a nosey at what other people have been up to! x

buying!

2009-08-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Time has again passed by so quickly! I have been busy spending - here is a (very) small selection of what I have bought. I love the glitter leopard card! I also went to a Particraft demo last week so have more goodies on the way! I need a lot more practise with The Big Bite and other half has thrown the box away so I can't send it back now! Gromlets are particularly tricky. Any tips greatfully recieved!

Inspiration in nature

2009-07-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

We went to a garden centre last weekend and I was struck by the patterns on these tree stumps. There is so much colour around at the moment - I LOVE bright colours! My next door neighbour has a beautiful purple bush in her front garden (I don't know what it is called!) and it is attracting loads of different butterflies. The green colour on these plants is so fresh and vibrant.

I'm still here!

2009-07-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Where does time go?

Now that it is the summer holidays and I have 7 weeks off, hopefully I will have some time to craft! I have been eagerly tidying my craft room in anticipation of these precious weeks! Now that I'm organised I can actually find things and have found things I had forgotten about. Here's a piccie of my new organisation. Hoping to catch up on everyone's blogs this week. xx

More dolls - sorry!

2009-03-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

Came upstairs to do some crafting tonight but got side tracked by Facebook!

Here are two ATC's I made last week using my new Russian Doll stamps from Hero Arts. The background card is the recycled packaging the stamps came in.

I have so many ideas I want to get going on but need a 3 day weekend!

New ATC's

2009-03-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

Here's three ATC's I have made over the weekend. The backgrounds were made out of a piece of card I had been cleaning my stamps on. I cut out some ATC shapes, added glitter glue and inked around the edges. Then I added some basic grey rub ons and some letters. Thought I'd keep them quite flat for a change.

My first Crop!

2009-02-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

Very exciting day today - I went to my first scrapbooking 'crop'! My best friend Sharon (yes there are two of us!) came and I think she has now caught the scrapbooking bug! I was so excited that I treated myself to a new craft bag to take all my bits and bobs there! Here are two pages I created for two memorable moments - Marco's first haircut and the night he first slept in his cot after he'd outgrown the moses basket! We've booked in for next months crop!

Awfully Big Art Adventure - catch ups!

2009-02-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Yeah! It's half term so I've had more time (and energy!) for crafting. I've been busy catching up on the challenges that Linda and Rosie have set on ABAA that I wanted to join in with but didn't make it in time. So here are my attempts at, crows, altering a canvas (the first time I have done this and I'm really pleased with how it turned out!), Bottletops and doors. The three ATC's are available to trade - the canvas with the 3 Russian Dolls on is hanging in my hall!

Lost camera!

2009-02-08T01:51:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd just give a little update on my new years thoughts!
I was getting back into blog land but seem to have misplaced the camera so will do a proper post when it returns!

I have lost 3 and a half pounds on weight watchers in the last 2 weeks.
Excercise bike is still resting in the conservatory though!
I have been giving myself some pamper time in the bath.
I have been doing some crafting in my tidy spare room!
I have another thought for the new year - find a new job (for lot's of reasons that I better not publically list!)

Now where is that camera.......?..........

Give me a sign!

2009-01-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

Linda and Rosie set the challenge this week over on http://bigartadventure.blogspot.com of making a sign. This is the first time I've joined in with this challenge. I've used a question from a fridge magnet someone gave me recently. The question is 'Have I nurtured myself today?' We all need to take time out in our busy lives for some 'me time' so this is my prompt to remind me to do so. I've also done a bit of recycling as the base was a magnetic shopping pad which was a Christmas present I recieved last year. The pages have all been used up so I challenged myself to 'recycle' it. I used freebie papers from a magazine and my new Russian Doll templates from Wendy Rhodes. (If you have visited before you will know I am mad about Russian dolls!)

I'm glad I found time to join in this week and have surprised myself with what I've made!

New ATC's

2009-01-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

Not very good piccies because I used acetate which the flash keeps bouncing off! And I can't get them to flip around! Aaaah!

I recycled some acetate from Sky TV junk mail for these two and stamped the backgrounds on the base card. I dread to think how much this company spent on this advertising - and where does it all end?!

I found the lead....!

2009-01-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

Hurrah! I found the lead to the camera. Here is a piccie of the gingerbread house I made for Christmas. I have to admit it was a kit - I didn't actually roll and cut out the shapes, but the icing and decorations are all my creation! I love Gingerbread men and houses and have some gingerbread decorations up in my kitchen all year. (Cupcakes is the other theme currently taking over the kitchen!)

A couple of years ago I bought a book on gingerbread houses from a charity shop for £1. There are some very detailed desgins in there and even a gingerbread village which was made as part of a competition in America. Next year....! I'm quite proud of my first attempt and Marco liked eating it! In the background of the photo of him you can see the tree I have in the kitchen - yes you've guessed it - with gingerbread decorations!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all. I was hoping to post some piccies but I can't find the lead that joins the camera up to the computer! Probably somewhere really safe!

I thought I'd share some of my thoughts for the New Year (less pressure than calling them resolutions!)

To get back into Blog land and keep up to date with my blogging friends.
Have at least one night a week dedicated to crafting rather than falling asleep on the sofa and then not being able to sleep in bed!
Use up the crafting kits and papers I have before buying any new ones!
Use the exercise bike which is sitting in my conservatory at least twice a week.
Have a pamper night with my lotions and potions at least once a week.
Adopt the mantra that my body is a temple and watch the amount of rubbish I eat!

Let's see how I get on!.............

A Crafty Event for Christmas!

2008-11-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

Unfortunatly today's craft fair wasn't very successful so I've decided to organise my own! In two hours this afternoon I have booked a venue and booked in loads of stall holders from the contacts I made today! So here are the details -

Ladies Craft and Gift Fair

Trimley Sports and Social Club, Trimley ST Martin, Felixstowe

Thursday 4th December

7.30pm-10.30pm

Stalls already booked include - handmade cards, jewellery, local photographs, manicures and beauty gifts, candles and oil burners, chocolate, children's books, glassware, table favours and loads more!!!!!!!!!

Hope to see you there!

Craft and Collectables Fair - Felixstowe Leisure Centre

2008-11-09T12:02:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to advertise the Craft and

Collectables Fair being held at the Felixstowe Leisure Centre next Sunday - 16th November. I will be selling my handmade cards there. My friend Bex has framed local photographs for sale, and Cheryl has beauty gifts on offer. There will be loads of other opportunities to stock up on prezzies ready for Christmas. The Felixstowe Sunday market is just down the road and there are plenty of places to eat - followed by a brisk walk on the prom!!

Let's face it!

2008-10-31T09:12:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd pop on some of my 'Let's face it' ATC's that I did for Chriss' monthly challenge over on http://chriss-rollins.blogspot.com/ Thanks Chriss for emailing me the piccies. I had a go at doing something I hadn't tried before. I used pictures from magazines, acrylic paints, alphabet stamps and sparkly gems and just kind of went for it!

I'm still here!

2008-10-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

I have neglected my blog a little over the last few weeks - I've been so busy at work and tired! Hate those clocks changing! I've been doing some crafting - mainly Christmas cards and playing with the fab Jolly Nation TSV I bought from QVC a few weeks ago. I have also had the mamouth task of sorting out all my craft things in the spare room into plastic boxes. I'm not sure how long things will stay organised but I'll post some piccies when I've finished my labels! xx

Leonie's challenge

2008-10-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

This weeks challenge from Leonie is 'Objects of Desire.'

Living in a seaside town, I've always loved the sea so chose these images from http://www.aisling.net/. As I missed last weeks stripey challenge I started with some stripey paper, (thank you to my crafty friend Mary for sending it to me!), in a colour scheme I adore. I used a jelly fish stamp I got at a car boot sale last week for 20p, with a blue ink pad to stamp over the paper. I inked around the images, stuck on some matching ribbon and added some gems and a silver star fish. I coloured in some peel off letters in a co-ordinating colour to spell 'the sea'.

2008-09-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

I bought some lovely goodies from Papermaize when I visited Vanessa's shop a few weeks ago. http://www.papermaize.co.uk/ and used them to make this ATC. I love the red, white and black colour scheme of these goodies. I particularly liked the Seven Gypsies ATC overlays - hadn't used these before, but I love them! Can't wait to create some more ATC's using these goodies!

Fairy Tale ATC's

2008-09-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Take a look over on Chriss' blog http://chriss-rollins.blogspot.com/ where she has posted piccies of my fabric and stitched ATC's that I submitted for her fairy tales swap. Thanks to Chriss for showing them. It was the first time I had tried sewing on my ATC's!

Fibres and Fings

2008-09-09T01:46:00.000-07:00

This is Leonie's challenge for this week. I started by stamping some swirls on a pink ATC base card. Then I covered it with a piece of pretty fabric which came from the cover of an old notebook. I'd been keeping it ready for some inspiration! I attached the fabric with mini black and white brads. I tied ribbon around the card and threaded on some beads (from my broken bracelet!). I finished the card with a couple of purple buttons. I was really please with the results as I'd had the fabric for ages but not known what to do with it!

Punch Power!

2008-09-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Leonie's challenge this week is to use a ounch on your ATC. I covered a section of a red ATC blank in floral paper and used a heart punch to punch out two shapes down the right hand side. I tied red ribbon through the punched shapes. I tore the word 'power' out of a dictionary I bought from the pound shop and inked around the edges. I stuck this on and used white and red heart shaped punch outs around it, finishing off with some brads and flower embellishments that look punched!

MY ATC'S IN PRINT!!!

2008-08-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Check out Papercraft Inspirations Issue 52 (October '08). They ran an ATC swap a couple of months ago and have printed a selection from the swap - mine included! Mine are on the top of the 3rd page and are titled 'Retro Kitchen', in red and white. That was a surprise when I opened my magazine over lunch!

Christmas is coming!

2008-08-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Yes I've got slightly in the festive mood! I got the Kanban Xmas kit from QVC a few weeks ago and had to have a play. I've used pre-printed cards from the new Papermania range and bauble shaped cards from Dovecraft. The images and pyramage are from the Kanban kit and I added some coloured peel offs by Dawn Bibby. To finish the bauble card I added some ribbon. I think they create really professional looking cards, ready for the craft fairs I've booked into in the Autumn.

Something different.

2008-08-15T12:51:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd do something different! The book came in a QVC kit which Leonie demonstrated last week. The kit is lovely with pre-printed patterned cards (My current craze!), chipboard and cardstock embellishments etc. The book has sections inside and is perfect for organising ATC's which is what Leonie had done with hers. I tied on some fibres, added chipboard letters (from another QVC kit), stamped a heart image, and added gems and a button.

I had been tempted to buy a ribbon organiser for ages as I was fed up untangling ribbons in my choc tin but then decided to save some pennies and make my own. I painted a plain box with acrylic paint, stuck on some whole pieces of dovecraft paper and cut out some flowers. I also stuck on some painted jigsaw pieces and the same chipboard letters as before. My first attempt at altering something!

Leonie is back!

2008-08-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Leonie is back online and setting her Friday challenges. The title for this weeks challenge is "Highlights". I chose to highlight a flower in the Dovecraft paper I used by using a blue ink pad across the rest of the ATC, outlining the flower with a pen and adding some gems. I finished with some sticky ribbon and a word tile.

A few ATC's I've made this week

2008-08-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

I've had a run on making cards this week and my current craze is using pre printed patterned cards rather than starting with a blank card (will post some of the cards I've made next week). These are some of the ATC's I've made using left over paper etc from my cards. I am trying to stick to my new years resolution of making an ATC straight away with the left overs rather than having bits and pieces everywhere! I did tidy up my craft room but have got so carried away with ideas this week that it's looking a bit messy again! Does anyone else have this problem? I always have the intention of tidying up but would rather spend the time crafting!

If you would like to trade for any of these ATC's then let me know (1,2,3 or 4) I need to do some trades as I've got carried away and have 100 in my swap box!!

My Baby is One!

2008-08-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

We've had a lovely weekend celebrating Marco's 1st Birthday. I don't know where the last year has gone! Here he is playing in the 'builders tray' I bought for the garden. There are lots of ideas for how to use a builders tray for small world play in my book 'The Little Book of Small World Play' published by Featherstone. (also available on Amazon) Ideal for anyone who works with children. (a little plug there!) (A girl needs to subsidise her crafting goodies somehow!)

Crafting with McDonalds!

2008-07-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was struck by this image on my McDonalds bag and had to recycle her! I used a black inkpad and paisley stamp on a red base card, added black Papermania gems, black ribbon and a 'smile' text sticker. The button was one of my car boot sale finds. (sorry the pic is a bit dark - the black ribbon is in the top right hand corner)

As with any of my ATC's featured on my blog - if you want to trade her then let me know!

Wylde Woman Award!

2008-07-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Alison for including me in her nominations for the wylde woman award. xx

These are the rules to pass it on -

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it’s up to you! Make sure you link to their site on your post.
2. Link back to Tammy’s blog (the originator of the Award).
The purpose of the Award is to send love and acknowledgement to women who brighten your day, teach you new things, and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.
There are so many inspiring ladies in the crafting world whose blogs I love to visit and I have chosen the following ladies (I think some of you ladies may already have the award but I didn't want to miss anyone out!)

Alison - you would be one of my nominations!

I could go on..............

Another Award!

2008-07-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

My ATC and blog pal Alison gave me this award. Thanks Alison. I'm finding it hard to decide who to pass it on to so I've taken note from another blog friend Heather and am leaving the award open to you. If you are a regular visitor to my blog then consider yourself awarded!

P.S Did anyone watch craft day yesterday? I did watch quite a bit but couldn't quite make it until midnight. My credit card did treat me to the TSV - lot's of scope to include your own ideas with that kit I thought. I'd love to know what you bought!

I've been tagged!

2008-07-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Linda has tagged me so here goes -
1.What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was in my 2nd year of my teaching degree.

2.Name 5 things on todays 'to do' list....

Tidy my craft room (this is going to take ages!)
File my nails!
Write to my crafty pals with new ATC swaps.
Buy some veggies for my Mum's rabbit who is staying with us while my parents are on holiday.
Visit my favourite blogs!

3.Snacks I enjoy... chocolate! and anything naughty!

4.Things I would do if I was a millionaire...Buy a big house with a log cabin in the garden to craft in!

5.Places I have lived...I live in Felixstowe, Suffolk. I lived in Cheltenham for 3 years while I was studying for my teaching degree (no it wasn't the ladies college!!!).

I've just chosen two people to tag who I don't think have been tagged before! Missy K and Carolyn

A constructive afternoon!

2008-07-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

After loosing my way last weekend when I sat down to craft - I've had a productive time this afternoon. I had a play with a couple of the Kanban 'Concept cards'. At first I thought they might be too restrictive but I enjoyed using the kits to get back in the swing of things! I haven't made any cards for quite a while so it was nice to have a play. I used the scraps I had left over from one of the kits to make the first ATC in the monochrome scheme we all seem to love. The green ATC was made using K&Co paper and one of the rub ons I bought the other weekend. I've just realised they both have a butterfly theme!

I've been shopping!

2008-07-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

I had great fun on Sunday! I wanted to post this last night but my laptop wouldn't let me! On Sunday I went to a small papercraft show near Ipswich and this is what I bought!

The K&Co Life's Journey 6X6 paper pads were a bargain at £3 each BOGOF! I was tempted to buy the whole lot! I also bought some gorgeous Maya Road house rub ons and some bird and paisley rub ons, and K&Co word stickers. The stamp stickers were a bargain at £1 as were the tie brads at 95p! I then went on to a Craft Central and bought a few more items that I NEEDED! I haven't really had any time to craft over the last week or so as I've been getting stuck back into work but I've enjoyed seeing what everyone else has been busy creating. So I'm looking forward to having a play with my new goodies.

When I got back on Sunday we drove to Manningtree where I counted 150 swans just in the spot that we were in! I couldn't fit them all on!

Marco was amazed! I can't believe my baby is going to be one in a few weeks!

My first award!

2008-07-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

I was really excited to recieve this award from Carley http://blondewitchycreations.blogspot.com Thank you so much!

With the Arte y pico award, the details of which are as follows:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself.

4. The Award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte Y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. To show these conditions.

I have chosen the following blogs which I love to visit regularly and am inspired by every time I do.

Alison http://craftytrog.wordpress.com Alison has only been blogging a short time but has done so well in setting up her blog.

Heather http://creativesolace.blogspot.com Heather is so talented and I'm delighted to be trading ATC's with her all the way across the Atlantic!

Daisy http://distinctly-daisy.blogspot.com Daisy is so clever and I love everything she creates.

Missy K http://littlecraftingmiss.blogspot.com I love seeing what Missy K creates every week for Leonie's challenge and she always leaves such kind comments on my blog.

Carolyn http://carolyndraper.blogspot.com Another crafter who I take inspiration from every Friday during Leonie's challenge and who visits my blog too.

Thanks to those people who have wished me well on my return to work. Thank goodness the weekend is nearly here and I can do some crafting. I've missed it and been too tired in the evening to do any this week. On Sunday there is a papercraft show near Ipswich so I think I will reward myself with a few goodies!

Fab Friday and Delightful Decoupage!

2008-06-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

Leonie's challenge this week was to use decoupage on your ATC. I have chosen this decoupage image by Margaret Sherry. I chose this one as I'm going back to work tomorrow after having been off for a year. So after a day with 6 children with behaviour problems I will be needing to crack open a bottle! Phil has been making a home brew down in the shed so I'll have to try it!

More recycling!

2008-06-27T01:12:00.000-07:00

I've been saving things from the bin again! The green base for these cards is the packaging from my new wok! The card has a printed white pattern on which I stamped over in black using a foam oriental stamp I bought from a car boot sale for 20p! I coloured in some peel offs using a red pen and used the negative and positive images from one peel off. I added a coin, ribbon and pearl gems. The text is also cut from the packaging. The wok cooks a nice stir fry by the way!

P.S Thank you to my friend Mary who sent me a gorgeous ATC holder that she has made. I know you have had trouble leaving comments Mary so I thought I'd give you a special mention!

Pretty Piece of Paper

2008-06-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed this challenge as I have so many pretty papers but tend to use them flat as I don't like to cut them! I also have lots of sheets that I keep for best! I've seen Leonie and Dawn demonstrate this technique before but never had a go. So thanks Leonie for getting me to look at my papers in a different way!

I used Dovecraft butterfly and paisley paper and decided to decoupage the paisley parts not the obvious butterflies. I inked around the edges of the base card and the pieces before I decoupaged. The text is cut from a K&Co paper and I finished by punching some pink hearts out of plain paper as there are small hearts in the main paper.
I then got carried away with my scraps (while footie was on) and went on to make another 4 ATC's (sitting in bed watching Big Brother!) using the same papers, some coloured match sticks and sparkly gems. I am really pleased with these and am going to experiment with some other pretty papers!

More dolls!

2008-06-19T01:32:00.001-07:00

I've made some more Russian doll ATC's this week so I thought I'd pop on some more piccies of my collection. This is one of my favourite dolls - I found her at a car boot sale for £1. The pattern has been burnt onto the wood and they have used gold and siler leaf too. The smallest doll is the size of my thumb nail!

I made the next 2 ATC's using my new Gustav Klimt stamps from Cherry Pie Stamps in America - you can buy their stamps through Ebay. They have loads of lovely sets of unmounted stamps. I used Joanna Sheen EZ Mount to enable me to use them with my acrylic block.

Here I've used the tradional image of a Russian Doll.

These are the more traditional looking dolls and most of them are hollow as they are bottle holders, salt and pepper pots and trinket holders. The 2nd largest one is made of plastic to keep your bottle cool inside. My friend found her at a French market for 1 Euro!

Hope you like them!

Ebony & Ivory - Sunday Stampers

2008-06-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

Hels challenge this week at http://pinkleart.blogspot.com is monotone themed. I've used one of my new Gustav Klimt (my fav artist) stamps from Cherry Pie. Klimt's work is very colourful so I thought I'd use one of his images in a toned down way for this challenge. I added buttons, ribbon and inked a jigsaw piece. I got the jigsaw in a charity shop for 50p. They were going to throw it away as there are pieces missing so i'm recycling again!

Leonie's challenge - Recollection and Reciepts

2008-06-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

This week Leonie's challenge was to make an ATC using tickets/leaflets etc from a day out.

Yesterday we had a great day out at the Easton Festival at Easton Farm Park in Suffolk. Phil has a 1970's beetle (see piccie!) which we took for the classic car display. There were also food and craft stalls, dancing displays, bands and of course you could see the farm animals too. Here's a piccie of one of the cute little goats!

For the background of my ATC, I've used part of the map inside the programme for the day. I stamped a VW Camper image in the top right hand corner, and inked around the edges of the card with a green ink pad. I added a VW themed sticker, and bling for the headlights! The tag is made from the price label of a piggie pen I bought in the gift shop, so a bit of recycling too!

Russian Dolls!

2008-06-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

This week chriss has a Russian Doll ATC challenge.

As a collector of Russian Dolls I got very excited about this challenge! Here's my ATC and some piccies of my vast collection! I thought I had about 60 but actually have over 100 dolls, plus magnets, handbags, key rings, salt and pepper pots, pens, etc!! Most of my dolls have been found at car boot sales, antiques fairs and charity shops. They smile at me and I have to take them home! I do think that they breed in my cabinets - after all they are a symbol of fertility! I'd love to hear what you collect.

Chop and Change

2008-06-07T07:51:00.001-07:00

Leonie's easier challenge(!) this week was to chop your ATC and change it.

Trust me this ATC looks better in real life than in this photo!

I covered a base card in Dovecraft paisley paper and chopped the corners off. I used the remaining pieces to create a collage on a new base card. I then stamped a paisley stamp onto the collage and embossed it. However - I hadn't thought that the heat gun would melt the micro dots and the pieces moved around the ATC in places I hadn't planned! But I decided to keep going and see what happened. I then stuck the corners from the first ATC onto 3-D foam and attached them to the corners of the new base card. I chose 3 co-ordinating butterfly stickers from a QVC kit and finished with some ribbon and papermania gems. So in the end my little mishap didn't look too bad (the stickers covered it!) This was a hard one to take a photo of, probably because it's so dark with the constant rain here!!

Leonie's tone on tone challenge

2008-06-04T00:03:00.000-07:00

This weeks fab Friday challenge from Leonie was 'tone on tone'. You could only use tones of one colour and then black or white for your lettering. This challenge has been bugging me for a few days as it's not as easy as you first think!

I covered a base card with torn purple tissue paper and pva glue to give a glossy finish. I then coloured in a butterfly peel off using a purple peel off pen and stuck this on. I used purple papermania gems to highlight parts of the peel off. In the bottom right hand corner I used purple buttons and flower stickers in a collage effect and to finish I used white peel offs for my wording. This has to be your hardest challenge yet Leonie!

Dressmakers Dreams!

2008-05-30T02:23:00.000-07:00

At a car boot sale at the weekend I rumaged through an old sewing box and found some buttons, studs etc for £1! I had sewing themed ATC's in mind and here is my first one so far. So I've moved away from travel and into sewing for my next batch!

My new quilt!

2008-05-27T01:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd pop a photo on of my new quilt! As the weather was so rubbish this weekend we finally got round to decorating our bedroom. I say we (!), actually Phil did it all and I made ATC's when the baby was asleep! I just love the colours in my new quilt and couldn't wait to get to bed last night!

These colours must have been the colours of the weekend as I've just visited Linda's blog and she made a stunning bracelet in similar colours. http://lindavincent.blogspot.com/

Sisters are doing it for themselves challenge

2008-05-26T03:55:00.000-07:00

I read about this blog in one of the crafting magazines and took a look this week.

http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/

This weeks challenge is titled 'sisters are doing it for themselves'. I don't have many stamps at the moment but I found one that was suitable so thought I'd have a go.

I used flower paper for the background from Trimcraft and inked the edges. The stamp is a Bang on the Door one which I stamped onto white card and then coloured and mounted on pink before attaching to the base card. To finish I added some sticky letters (with a little Spice Girls motto!), and some papermania gems. I'm going to have a go at some more stamping now as I was more pleased with how this turned out than I thought I was going to be!

Travel ATC's

2008-05-25T02:23:00.001-07:00

I have had great fun with some bargain 99p travel stickers I found in a local craft shop and have made these 5 ATC's so far. I've also used some old black and white holiday postcards which I found in a charity shop for 10p each, magazine pics, and mini postcards of Britain which were also a bargain for 99p on ebay! So I've got a bit of a travel thing going on at the moment! These ATC's are available to trade - just let me know which one you would like.

Leonie's Mask challenge

2008-05-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

This week Leonie had a double meaning for 'masking'. You could either mask using peel offs or have a mask theme - so i tried both! I started with a natural coloured base card and used two different coloured ink pads to create the background. I then coloured in a mask peel off using embossing pens, peeled off the sticker and heat embossed using clear powder. I coloured in a matching smaller peel off using a black peel off pen and stuck that on. I finished with some ribbon, a button and some gems for the eyes on the masks.

Leonie's White Challenge

2008-05-15T01:24:00.000-07:00

This weeks challenge did 'challenge' me! I wasn't sure what to do until I was out for a walk with Marco and saw my neighbours gorgeous white clematis growing over her back fence. (I did pick a flower but don't tell her!) And so this is where 'A little bit of white in the garden' started.

I used a black base card and drew the white flower using chalk pastels (haven't used those since my GCSE days!). I attatched some ribbon, fabric flowers, and small stickers. The square epoxy sticker is from a QVC kit and reads 'simple pleasures'. I used a Peebo pen for the centre of the flower to give a slightly raised finish.

Rosie's Houses

2008-05-06T03:26:00.000-07:00

These are some house ATC's that I've been making for Rosie's challenge. I really love Rosie's work and have been inspired to experiment with collage using mag and paper images and texts. Rosie's blog is http://atcexchange.blogspot.com/

I've just added some ATC pics onto flickr so if any of my crafty friends would like to trade for any particular ATC then drop me an email!

Music for the Heart - Leonie's challenge

2008-05-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

This week Leonie's challenge is 'Music for the Heart'. I've had some musical peel offs for a while but hadn't decided what to do with them so this challenge was good for me. I had a few different ideas so decided to make a series of ATC's. Then I saw that Chriss' grandaughter Jessie (age 9) had made a book ATC so I decided to have a go. Thanks Jessie for the inspiration! http://chriss-rollins.blogspot.com/

I covered 3 blanks with theatre themed paper (inked around the edges) and 2 with musical paper, from a QVC ATC kit I've had for a while. On the theatre paper I added some of the peel offs as they are. The violin on the front - I put onto paper and coloured in using embossing pens and then embossed using clear powder. I then cut this out and used 3-d foam to attach it. I embossed the large trombone peel off in the same way but stuck this one flat. I also used a 3-D jolees sticker of a violin and black peel off text to spell 'music' and 'dance' and some ribbon tied at the top.

On the black music paper I printed the quotes 'If music be the food of love....play on' and 'Dance like no-one is watching...sing like no-one is listening' (I do love a bit of Karaoke - my best friend is also called Sharon and we are known on the karaoke circit in our town!!!)

I stuck these quotes on and traceda round the edges with a brown pen, finishing off by colouring in some more peel offs with a red pen and sticking them on and adding a few hearts here and there. Then I stuck all the ATC's together with some ribbon tucked in between to join them. I've left the last page blank to add my details. I was quite pleased with how it turned out as I usually just make single ATC's. Thanks again Jessie and Leonie for the challenge!

(sorry about my poor photos - I'll be able to edit my photos when I go back to work and get my laptop back!)

Glitter! - Leonie's challenge

2008-05-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

I'm a bit late this week!

I covered a base card with Dovecraft paper and inked around the edges with a touch of purple ink. I then used some Rub on Magic's from a Xmas QVC kit and covered these in green glitter. I hadn't used these before and think they are fab! To finish I added 3 glitter heart stickers from Jolees, a touch of co-ordinating ribbon and some gems.

Very spring like I thought - although I am typing this while there is a thunder storm outside!

Holey Moley it's another Friday Challenge from Leonie!

2008-04-20T12:38:00.001-07:00

I got in a right mess with this one!

I thought outside the box (well hole!) with this one and knew what I wanted to do straight away.

I inked over a beige base card with an ink pad. Then I peeled off the top sheet of a pack of round 3-D foam pads (recycling again!) and inked this with 2 different colour dauber duos. I tried to attach this to the base card with micro dots but forgot that it has a shiny surface to stick to the foam so the micro dots went everywhere. However I think they look ok now - like parts of the soil! So in the end I used gold brads to fix the holey paper onto the base card. I threaded earthy coloured fibres through the top holes and stapled them onto the card (apparently stapling is very in at the moment!). I found the mole clipart through a google search and stuck him on with 3-D foam pads.

Here he is - holey moley!

Leonie's magical challenge!

2008-04-15T02:25:00.000-07:00

As I'd already done a fairy ATC for another challenge I decided to have a different take on 'magic' in a Paul Daniels way!

I heat embossed (I think embossing is a form of magic!) a black outline using embossing pens and clear powder. I stuck on 4 mini playing cards which I had saved from a Christmas cracker but not done anything with yet. I finished by heat embossing the words 'magic' and 'tricks' onto the card along with a heart and diamond shape. Finally I added some gems.

'That's magic!'

Rainbow Lady's Fairy Challenge

2008-04-13T06:08:00.001-07:00

For the challenge I decided to make a fairy ATC - I love fairies so this challenge was right up my street!

I used a pink base card and stuck a panel of K&Co paper in the middle. I then inked around the corners using a purple dauber duo. The cream corners are from a QVC scrapbook kit and I added rub ons, and sticky gems. The fairy is a die cut I purchased on ebay. To finish I coloured in peel offs using a purple peel off pen to spell 'fairy' and 'fly'.

Sorry about the photo - I need to practise!

Craft Fair- Hotel Elizabeth Felixstowe, Suffolk

2008-04-09T04:25:00.000-07:00

I will be selling my handmade cards at a craft fair on Sunday 20th April at the Hotel Elizabeth (formally The Orwell Hotel). The craft fair is open 10am-4pm and this month is in aid of The Blue Cross animal rescue centre. There are stalls selling a wide range of items such as photos and prints, cakes, jewellery, and many other crafts and gifts. Pop in and have a browse and support this charity.
xx

Leonie's recycling challenge

2008-04-07T02:50:00.000-07:00

This challenge was right up my street as I am now officially obsessed with recycling!

I covered the base card with the inside of an envelope, and attatched some acetate which my flowers from the Sunday market came wrapped in, with some coloured brads. The zig zag paper was from the Christmas scrapbook kit from QVC and is the waste left after I'd punched out one of the die cuts. I coloured this with an ink pad. The main image is cut from a box of kiddies biscuits which reminds me of the Paper Nation characters (attatched with 3-D foam pads.)

What I've been up to this week!

2008-04-03T06:35:00.001-07:00

This month Fingertips themed ATC swap is 'kitchen delights'. i've continued with my recycling mission(!) and created my base cards from a box of broken biscuits. I've added ribbons, peel off letters, and I found the stickers on ebay.

I've added some more pictures onto my flicker of a Christmas scrapbook I've just finished. I used QVC kit 586040. This was a fabulous kit containing an album, papers, chipboard and paper embellishments. Plus you get cards, ribbons and die cut letters. I've made the album, loads of cards and still have many embellishments left over. Inside the album there are pockets for your Xmas cards so I used the kit to scrapbook my baby's first christmas.

After leaving the top off my glue stick (next to a radiator!) too many times I thought I'd try some micro dots from QVC. I am now converted! They are brilliant! Stronger than I thought and very neat. I felt like Dawn and Leonie while I was using them!! I will definatly use these more from now on. You get a kit with 5 rolls and 2 A5 sheets of dots - these are available on the QVC website, just type in micro dots. They came in really handy to complete the scrapbook and are strong enough for chipboard too.

The History of Cards

2008-04-02T02:13:00.000-07:00

One of the craft magazines this month recommended the following website for information about the history of cards.
www.emotionscards.com/museum/museum.html
It has lovely photos of cards produced in the early 1900's, the slide show is good, and has interesting reading about how sending cards came about. Worth a look.
xx

'A Small Thing of Greatness' ATC

2008-03-30T04:42:00.000-07:00

This weeks challenge from Leonie is to create an ATC that has a message. I decided to base mine on recycling as now I have my new bins from the council you could say that I am a little obsessive when it comes to rubbish! However it doesn't take much and it really is time that we all looked after our environment before we start loosing more creatures. So that's my rant!

I decided to do something a little bit different and push myself away from the usual flat ATC. I created a 'wardrobe' effect by using 3 cream ATC blanks. I cut one in half and made a flap on one side. I stuck the flap between the other two ATC's to cover the join.

I then inked around all the edges using a 'bark' ink pad. I 'recycled' a Galaxy Easter Egg box to do the rest! The box had some cut out shapes of flowers and butterflies where you could see the egg through. So I used these as stencils to stamp the background. I cut out a brown flower, butterfly and some letters from the box. On the front of the ATC I have stuck down the letters - using a brown peel off pen on white peel offs for the additional letters I needed - to spell 'recycle'. Inside I have spelt out 'protect our Galaxy', and stuck down the shapes I cut from the box. So it's a little play on words too! To finish I added some more coloured in peel offs - small flower shapes, and tied the fronts together with ribbon. Hope you like it and can recyle something yourself today!

Rainbow Lady's bookmark challenge

2008-03-25T04:12:00.001-07:00

I am really enjoying looking at the many crafty blogs out there and have found this weeks challenge from rainbow lady. It was good to have a change and use my crafting goodies to make a bookmark. I cut a bookmark shape from some shiny lilac card and stuck on some Anita's sticky ribbon. The gorgeous pink beaded butterfly embellishment was from a local craft shop. I have been using other coloured ones on cards but now I get to keep one for myself! I finished the bookmark by adding some corner stickers at the bottom, some ribbons along the top and some pink pearl gem accents from Topaz Crafts. Now I can throw away the scrap piece of paper I have in my book at the moment - (Jason Donovan's autobiography - my era!) and I have something pretty to keep my page. Thanks for the challenge!

You can join in at http://rainbowladyschallengeblog.blogspot.com

'Time' for a Good Friday Challenge!

2008-03-21T12:53:00.000-07:00

This weeks challenge from Leonie is an ATC with a 'Time' theme. This gave me some 'time out' from the Easter eggs!

I covered half of my buff coloured base card with one of Joannna Sheen's paisley papers and covered the join with some Anita's ribbon. I then inked around the edges using a brown ink pad.

The clock images are cut from an ATC mixed holiday collection paper pad, (Happy New Year pages). I cut out both clock pages and decoupaged the images. The 'Memories' 3-D sticker is from Eno craft. To finish off I added some ribbon at the top and a hexagon sticker from a local craft shop.

Happy Easter everyone!

xxx

Themed ATC Swaps at Craft Ambrosia

2008-03-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share with you my latest claim to fame - (yes besides having one of my cards and ATC's displayed on QVC and two ATC's on Leonie Pujol's blog as part of her ATC club)!

Craft Ambrosia have monthly ATC challenges which you can join in with whenever you like the topic. If you click on the ATC swap tab on the left hand side of the home page, and then click on gallery, I have two ATC's shown in the Feb 'Love' themed swap and two in the March 'Planes Trains and Automobiles' swap. They are listed as S.Ward. It was fun to do some male themed swaps for a change as usually I stick to girlie ones!

Take a look at www.craftambrosia.co.uk and join in the swaps!

xx

Fab Friday Challenge!

2008-03-14T03:09:00.000-07:00

Leonie Pujol has added a challenge on her Blog. Today's ATC challenge is 'Beautiful and Bright'.

Here is my ATC to meet the challenge. The theme was right up my street as I am in the process of scrapbooking my 30th Birthday photos. My friend Cheryl and I had a joint party with a 60's and 70's theme so I have lots of beautiful and BRIGHT papers etc around at the moment! Flower Power!

I covered my base card with some paper from Papermania's citrus colossal pack. Then I inked around the edges using a pink ink pad and went over it with a different colour pink dauber. The butterfly image was stamped and embossed using a pink ink pad and holographic embossing powder. I then added papermania die cut flowers using 3-D foam pads. I possitioned some flowers over the edge of the base card and trimed the edges of the flowers. For a finishing touch I added pink pearl gems from Topaz crafts.

How clever am I!

2008-03-13T03:39:00.000-07:00

I am very proud of myself! I have just set up my very own blog after being inspired by reading other crafty people's blogs!
xx