Inking heaven!

Now I have my painting apron on (metaphorically speaking) ...I just can't stop inking backgrounds and have another couple to add to the Gallery.  I intend to set the next challenge with a little less messy stuff, although you can continue with your original artwork if you wish...I can't promise I wont, but I know some of the girls beautiful nails are getting a bashing!

(Click once to enlarge)

All the elements in the above panels used stencils in some form or another, be it card off cuts from die cutting, metal and plastic stencils or pieces such as the dotty sequin waste.... apart from the text and tiny flourish on the bird which were stamped.  You will notice the telephone panel is similar to my sample for the challenge but the addition of a slightly darker red has changed the look (the photos don't show it quite as much as the real thing).

I have just finished the photography for the Valentine Conservatory makeover and these posted this week.

Have a great weekend.

Crafting for the Cottage - Kitchen, Christmas 2012

As you know I have a passion for crafts within the home and my home is no exception.  Every time there is a special event or seasonal celebration I craft endlessly (when time permits) to create a welcoming feel and add those home crafted accents which I adore.  The most rewarding aspect of home crafts is to recycle and create something beautiful with very little cost.  This year I chose the Kitchen at Autumn Cottage as my challenge and created some lovely accents in a frosty pearl white, pale blue, sage green and taupe colours.  The thrift/charity shops and summer boot sales were my source of great cheap materials and a selection of my craft tools where put to good use. The only things I purchased from new were the circular twiggy wreath and one vine of artificial Ivy. 

 (Click once to enlarge)

The following photos show in more detail the  pretty decorations.

 This is a great way to use a twiggy wreath....making it into a chandelier.  All the pieces are hung from mini wire hangers (handmade) which can be easily unclipped.  The snowflakes and hearts were made from mount board covered in  the top layer of a paper napkin and die cut.

 I love this chalk board....a bit of a crafty makeover using sticky dots, ribbons and die cut snowflakes...Lovely!

 Hmmn.. this old worn silver plated pedestal dish has a story to tell...my mum asked me if I could take it to the charity shop, but I am afraid I just couldn't let it go as I remember it from my childhood, I even polished it on many ocassions earning my pocket money!  The candle and star where gifts for my Birthday in October.

 This is my Memory Bottle....make a festive frame....hang it round the neck of a bottle of wine...add a photo of a loved one who is no longer with us and make sure you raise a toast on Christmas morning, that way they will still be part of your celebration. This one was for my nanny's photo!

My Best Buys were: The twiggy angel £4 (charity shop)...the green swag £1 (boot sale)...the blue glass vase  £2.50 (charity shop) ...all the white baubles £2 (charity shop)... pearl strands 50p (charity shop)...chalk board free (given by a friend) and the paper snowflake bunting attached to the blinds with mini pegs (hand crafted die cuts)

I loved the overall look and really enjoyed entertaining in the kitchen this christmas with the mulled wine simmering on the Aga and the scent of warm mince pies.  You really don't need to spend a fortune on decorating your home for christmas...recycle, up-cycle craft and create!

Watch out for the next celebration at Autumn Cottage - A Valentines conservatory!

A card for a Special Friend

I have a very dear friend whose birthday is just after Christmas and so I understand how important it is to make her Birthday very special, which stands apart from the Christmas celebrations.  This is the card I sent her and the best reward for making hand crafted cards are the reflex reactions that tell you how much it was appreciated.  Priceless!

(Click once to enlarge)

Happy Birthday Kerrie (29th December 2012)

3D Church Christmas Cards

I can't believe Christmas has been and gone and all that work for the special season...mustn't grumble, I am a big kid really and would keep decorations in the cottage all year long....in fact that's my aim for 2013, I am going to celebrate each seasonal event by decorating the cottage.  Valentines Day is my next project so watch out for the Valentines day room setting, lucky hubby eh!

Getting back to Christmas here are my 3D cards I made for my nephew, his girlfriend and some friends.  I adore these little makes ....so satisfying to make!

 The base for the Black and White church above was a gift wallet and contained a gift voucher.

Hope you like them as much as I do, I will make some beach huts for the summer using the same template.

Happy Crafting!

More 3D Box Cards

Just thought I would show you some of the other samples which were made during the Craft Club sessions as demonstrations. (click on photos to enlarge)

I loved making these as you can adapt them for lots of different uses not just cards.  They can be 3D photo frames, decorative floral displays (you can even add a real flower in a test tube of water tucked behind the ledge.

If you like these and would like to know how to create them you are welcome to come along to the Craft Club if you are local to the Southend area.  I will be popping some tutorials on the website at some time in the future.

Have a great day.

Time in the Craft Studio

Hi,
I just thought I'd show you a few more projects I have completed whilst working in the studio over the last few weeks. I know it seems strange but I find it so hard to find the time to craft for myself and my own personal pleasure so I have made a promise to have my own crafting time.....and it's now on the calender each week!

The above 3 photos are the acetate topper challenge from a few weeks ago.

This is not an opening card...it has an in-built stand.

Paper weaving, this tutorial will be coming soon.  The fiskars finger knife makes this job a breeze.

I have left thie inside oval apperture undecorated and would love to hear your ideas on how you would decorate this

All of the above cards and toppers (including the lavender french topper) are at the Art Shop in Rayleigh if you want to take a closer look.

Let me know your ideas for the unfinished centre piece in the above card. I will choose an idea I like and finish it off (just remember when the card is closed the white centre crease folds flat to the outside edge of the card.)

Having Fun in the Craft Studio

Hi all,

Just thought I'd pop in and say hello and show you some of the cards I have been making as well as some of my old favourites.  Its been a real busy week for me with lots of work and late nights so it's great to be able to have some fun time in the Craft Studio.  Hope you like them and they help with inspiration. (Click once on them to enlarge)

This is a framed collage in scrapbook style

Great for keeping Pot Pourii and a secret sweet stash!

 

Hope you like these designs will be posting more on shortly.  I am also looking into a new Gallery format so watch this space!