A Crafting Journey

Sort of a Queen!

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000Z

Morning Bloggers!
The theme over at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week is Kings and Queens ... I know ... I know ... Mona is n't really a Queen and putting a Crown on her does n't really make her one ... and she is n't British either ... but a theme is open for interpretation right??? And she is now the Queen of my desk! I kind of got carried away with the whole Union Jack and The Wendy Vecchi Art Parts combo and then realsied I did n't actually have a King or Queen to fit inside the pocket watch ... so Mona with a Crown it is! Does anyone else do daft stuff like that? Or is it just me!

Mona is indeed the very first Lord Tim of Holtz stamp that I ever bought ... you know Tim ... the man that can part the seas while sleeping on the clouds with just a Crimson Archival Re-inker and a Long Legged Brad!
I have had the weekend from hell as far as computers are concerned! I often use my PC in my craftroom ... but there I was ... late Friday night ... surfing the net in the comfort of my sofa ... with my laptop ... when ... a virus struck! I have no idea how long it was lurking ... but it seemed to happen very fast indeed! So ... I am here to do a good deed ... Firstly ... Don't let your Anti Virus programme lapse ... EVER! and ALWAYS back up your bits! Sadly I lost everything from my lap top because the virus was so severe ... the very nice lady from Dell had to restore my whole system to the factory settings! I always thought ... Yeah Yeah ... it won't happen to me ... then it did!
Righty-Ho ... I must away ... don't forget to join in with the challenge ... Simon Says Stamp are once again donating a fabulous $50 Shopping Spree as a random prize ... and the team LOVE to see your work!
Have a good week!
Laters!

Turning The Page!

2012-01-29T11:58:00.000Z

You guys are just THE best! So many encouraging words yesterday ... Thank you! And aint it nice when you do something that you LOVE doing and other peeps like it too? I am feeling tres bonne this morning I can tell ya!
There were a few questions yesterday too ... would be rude not to answer them me thinks ... so ... Yes, Tracy, all the dotty lettering were hand written ... but the larger stripy font was indeed die cut waste from Lord Tim's Carnivale Strip Die ... you know Tim ... the man that can open any door in the whole world that he likes ... while saving the very small population of toxic primates ... the slow loris ... from extinction with just a Ranger White pen and a Mustard Seed Distress Stain.

And Angie ... you wanted to know what I intend to do with my scraps and pages ... well ... and this may be a long shot ... I am planning on binding them in a book ... kind of journal stylie ... but we will see ... I may get bored before I get that far!

Anyways ... todays page was all about playing with hidden journaling ... something that appeals very much to me. This was indeed a double page spread ... but I am not quite happy with the opposing page ... something else that I am getting to like a lot ... just keep going back ... looking ... weighing up the options and add or don't add ... no rules ...but then ... that is the kind of girl I am!

Righty Ho then ... I am off to make ... erm ...stuff! I probably ought to think about tidying up a bit first ... Yuck!

Have a good Sunday people!

Laters!

And Now for Something Completely Different!

2012-01-28T13:51:00.000Z

Lots of you will know that I have started and stopped at the whole journalling lark ... for like ... erm ... forever! I have a gazillion journals ... all with a couple of pages started ... then stored away ... because I was n't really into what I was doing with them ... and then I worried about what they looked like and what people thought!
Well ... I have had a Eureka moment! I have discovered that actually ... although I value your opinion and I LOVE knowing what you think ... it is not really about that! It is about LOVING the process ... and I have really discovered how to do that!
So people ... No smart journalling book for me ... away with the Moleskins ... I am just working on off cuts and leftovers ... no pressure ... just a few inks and a few pens ... and even my long abandoned Pro Markers ... and here it is ... the start of my new journal!
So ... What do you think???? :0)
Oh ... before I vanish ... free postage at the Craft Barn ... What??? Just thought you would like to know!
Laters!

A Whole New Experience!

2012-01-24T10:30:00.000Z

I think the team over at the Craft Barn probably thought I was a right muppet a few weeks ago.
This week on the Craft Barn Blog there will be a whole load of beautiful projects using a Cover-a-Card stamp! Well ... when I see it like that ... and now knowing what I know ... erm ... I have to admit to being ... a right muppet!
You see ... when I saw Cover-a-Card with a stamp ... I thought ... one stamp ... any stamp ... repeat stamping and covering a whole card! Little did I know there was a whole range of stamps called Cover-a-Card ... which do exactly what they say on the tin ... yep ... I know you lots are brighter than me ... and probably knew that ... but I had no clue!

So ... using Lord Tim of Holtz's Shabby Chic technique in a less shabby and more shiny way ... I set about decorating some 6"X6" covers with black paint ... clear embossing powder and a mix of other paints ... all listed on the Craft Barn Blog.
The Grunge rose is indeed made from one of Lord Tim's fabulous dies ... you know Tim ... the man that determines the colour of each individual Spring flower while painting exact replica's of da Vinci's Last Supper ...with his feet ... using just an Ink Blending tool and a jump ring!
I had promised myself not to make any more Grunge roses ... but when I can't think what else to do ... I find them very therapeutic ... plus the fact that I now have the mini Tattered Florals die in my grubby little mitts and I cannot wait to have a proper play with it!
I must away ... I have a dog with a very sad face looking at me ... she needs a walk ... I refuse to get soaked ... so I was waiting for a gap in the rain ... don't look like that is going to happen anytime soon ... so guess who is about to get VERY wet!
Laters!

Homeward Bound!

2012-01-23T05:00:00.007Z

A really quick post from me today guys ... it is nearly 2am ... Yikes! And I have only just finished my project for this week's theme over at Simon Says Stamp and Show which is a Song Title!
I am hoping that it is obvious that I chose Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel! I say I hope it is obvious ... because I took forages stamping and cutting out the letters for the Type Keys and if it aint obvious ... well ... let's not even go there!
So ... what does the week have in store for you guys???
I have a humungus "to Do" list as per usual ... but I actually intend to get through it this week ...

Anyways ... My box frame is covered with Kraft Resist paper ... that has been darkened with Brushed Corduroy Distress Stain. I have used THE Wendy Vecchi Studo 490 Art Parts and stamps and then loads of Lord Tim of Holtz stuff! You know Tim ... the man that fed 5000 ducks with just one loaf of bread while building the Eiffel Tower with just a long legged brad and a 1" square of Grungepaper.

Do join in with the challenge if you get time ... The wonderful team at Simon Says Stamp.com are giving away another $50 Shopping spree to one lucky person.

I must away ... I really neeeeeeeeed to sleep now ... Have a great week people!

Laters!

The Best Joke ... Ever!

2012-01-19T13:23:00.001Z

I hate being late! No ... strike that ... I really hate being late! I hate other people being late too ... but not as much as I hate being late!
I should have scheduled this post yesterday ... but then I thought ... I have to be up early in the morning ... so I will type it out and post it then! Did I? No! I forgot! My plans changed and I forgot!
And now it is very late!
Late for what? I hear you ask ... Well! Basically I am late telling you that all the destructions (that's a wonderful Lin Brown ism) to make this foldy booky thing are up on the Craft Barn blog today!

I know it looks a bit tricky ... but you trust me right? So when I say it really is n't ... well you know it really is n't! All the ingredients and measurements are there too ... so if you fancy making one ... do come back and share ... I would LOVE to see what you do!
I need to say "GRRR" at this point too ... Mr Blogger is playing up as I type ... If he does n't leave my pictures where I have carefully placed them ... I may have to virtually slap his legs!
The Rosette and charms are of course Lord Tim of Holtz ... you know Tim ... the man that made Joseph's original technicolour dream coat while designing St. Paul's Cathedral with just a spritz of Ranger Color wash and a smidge of Wonder Tape.
The flowers are from Mr and Mrs Paper Artsy ... LOVE them!

Anyways ... I have a special treat for you today ... I heard the best joke yesterday ... do you want to hear it? Erm ... Well read it anyways??
Here goes ...
I was on Safari in Africa last week and the tour guide was naming diiferent groups of animals.
"That's a pride of lions" he said.
"A tower of giraffes"
"A flight of birds"
Then he said "herd of elephants"
So I said "Yes"
Have a good day people ... well ... erm ... afternoon anyway ... and if you know any good jokes ... don't forget to share!
Laters!

Le Bloc de Wood!

2012-01-16T05:00:00.001Z

Ha! See! I can parlez the Francais! This is in fact a chunky ATC ... but my french does n't actually stretch that far!I think Le Bloc de Wood covers it!
The theme over at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week is Anything but a card ... could n't be easier ... just don't make a card to be in with a chance of winning the $50 Shopping Spree donated by our fabulous site sponsor Simon Says Stamp.
I used Graphic 45 Le Cirque papers and stamps and of course a few Lord Tim of Holtz bits ... you know Tim ... the man that performs the entire orchestral version of Gustav Holst's "The Planets" before breakfast while carving a scale model of the UK Olympic venue ... on budget ... in the top of a matchstick with just a swipe of Fired Brick Distress Stain and a pair of Tonic Studio Scissors.
I know this is highly unusual for me ... but I am actually stuck for things to say today ... I thought about telling you about my uneventful weekend ... then I remembered the highlight. This may take some time ... and you may get very bored ... but here goes!

I walk the dog on the mornings John is at work ... well ... we often see a little old lady who is confined to a wheelchair that has a couple of very yappy dogs! John has a lot more control over Athena then I do ... so when these dogs start yapping at her with John ... she is very well behaved. Last week when I was with her ... she started to pull a bit and ... the aforesaid lady apologised for her dogs and I said ... I'm afraid I don't have quite as much control as John! Anyways ... nothing major happened and that was that! On Sunday morning John walked Athena and when he got home he said he had seen the lady and she said ... this is tres funny ... "Your daughter does n't have quite as much control over her as you do!" John thought she was joking and questioned her further ... to his horror realised she was n't ... How funny is that! This no smoking lark has obviously taken about 20 years off me ...
Right ... I must away ... I am in the middle of a mahoosive clear out and I have deadlines to meet ...
Laters!

And the Winner is ....

2012-01-15T19:32:00.001Z

Sorry for my tardiness ... I completely forgot about the whole prize thingy ... your fault really ... I got carried away reading all your fabulous comments!
Mr Linky chose Number 37 as the winner and by my calculations that is Sid ...

Sid said...

Mmmm liking this new gun !!

Congratulations Sid ... email me your details and I shall pop them in the post for you!
Laters!

Pretty in Pink and a Random Comment Giveaway!

2012-01-11T13:52:00.000Z

I know ... I know ... I am not going mad ... this IS my project from Monday for the Simon Says Stamp and Show Red Letter Day Challenge ... but bear with me ... there is a method in my madness! Well ...
I get about a gazillion requests to try products and write a review on my blog ... seriously ... they come in thick and fast and quite often I send a standard Thanks but No Thanks response because I either don't have the time or the product is some techy computer programme that I have no hope of ever installing let alone using!!!!
Anyways ... aaaaaaaaages ago ... I gets an email from Scott ... a lovely chap ... very efficient ... he is the Marketing man at 3M. Anyways ... he asks me to write a review on the totally unbelieveably LOW priced PINK ... oh yes people ... PINK ATG package that his place are doing a deal on until 14th February! Now ... I thought about this one for all of two seconds ... especially when he offered to send me one and said yes! Obviously a pre-requisite is that I can be totally honest ... would n't dream of telling you guys it was a bargain at £9.99 and fabulous to boot ... if it ... erm ... was n't!

Now ... I have a yellow ATG ... LOVE it ... but sadly ... it is ... erm ... yellow! So when I gets the pink one ... I am immediately head over heals in love and expecting the same results ... you know like ...erm ... making all my craft sticking easier ... perfick for cards and mini books and any manner of things ... easy to use with a trigger that controls the really smooth application of super sticky double sided tape ... no lumps or bumps because the bond is clean and very neat ... a short time to reposition if neccesary ...
And that is exactly what it delivered ... but the most important thing is ... it's PINK and not yellow ... Did I mention that already???
In the kit you get 1 tape glider in erm ... PINK and 2 rolls of Acid Free/Photo safe 1/4 inch tape and all for the bargain price of £9.99 ... just click here and be magically transported.

It's a big fat thumbs up from me ... if I had five stars I would give them to Scott ... and his PINK gun package ... but sadly I don't ... and why did I show that mini book again ... well guess what I used to stick all my paper and card down with ... seriously ... guess ... I will pick a random comment at 8pm on Friday and the winner will get a new set of Tim Holtz mounted Travel Labels Stamps ... you know Tim ... the man that walked across the Atlantic Ocean to help the GB Gymnastics team to qualify for their own Olympics while performing heart surgery on a butterfly with just a dot of Wild Plum Alcohol Ink and a 1" square of Cut 'n'Dry foam.
I must away ... I have stuff to ... erm ... stick ... don't forget to check out Scott's deal ... What's to lose?
Laters!

As Easy as ATC ...

2012-01-10T07:04:00.001Z

I LOVE colour ... can you tell??? Huh??? Can you???
This week over at the Craft Barn we have been playing with the Colour Wheel. I have used Red; Orange and Yellow for my ATCs which are of course neighbouring colours on the colour wheel.
I often work on A4 card to build a large background in one go and then cut it to size for whatever I choose to make. My red elements are manilla card shaped with a ball tool and then covered with Glossy Accents ... I love the way that makes the colour really pop!
I used a mix of PaperArtsy and Lord Tim of Holtz stamps ... you know Tim ... the man that invented the Colour wheel before breakfast while walking across the Sahara Desert to rescue an ageing camel in his bare feet with just a brad and a swoosh of Alcohol Inks.

You will be plaesed to note that my hangover has gone ... Sinuses clearing ... I am feeling much better today ... I reckon it was all your lovely get well comments that did the trick! So a big Thank you from me!
Do pop by the Craft Barn blog for all the ingredients etc., and keep checking back this week too ... I have seen the truly scrumptious work from the rest of the DT ... it is well worth a peek I can tell you! Jaw droppingly good stuff!
Righty-Ho ... So What have you guys got on today??? I have a large To-Do list that needs attention ... I may be some time!
Laters!

Going Underground!

2012-01-09T00:12:00.000Z

Like many of you ... I suspect ... I like nothing more than playing with a new set of stamps! I say new ... I have had these babies for a while and only just got around to mounting them ... I hate that part of new stamps ... but it is one of those necessary evils!
Anyways ... the stamps are Artistic Outpost and they were perfect for this week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show where the theme is Red Letter Day!
I made my 6" by 6" journal using my Bind-it-All ... first time I have had that out in a while too ... I can tell you! I think this would make a great gift with some tickets to a show or summink ...

The letters are indeed Lord Tim of Holtz District Market ... you know Tim ... the man that originally named the days of the week while saving a Killer whale called Willy with just a Crimson Archival ReInker and a Craft Sheet.
You know the drill by now folks ... enter the challenge for a chance to win a $50 Shopping Spree from our wonderful site sponsor Simon Says Stamp.
Righty ho then ... I am headed for a darkened room ... I have started the year with a Sinus Infection and instead of resting up ... as per Doctors orders ... I decided to mix the anti biotics with a few beers on Saturday night ... seemed like a good idea at the time ... did a bit of boogeying and everything ... but trust me when I say ... I am paying now!!!
Have a good week y'all!
Laters!

Ink Yourself Silly!

2012-01-03T07:00:00.002Z

Ha! Bet you were n't expecting to see me today ... were you?
Well ... as it happens ... this is my very Design Team piece for the Craft Barn.
The remit was all about inking yourself silly and I chose Archival and Stazon ... with a bit of Alcohol Inks thrown in for good measure. Oh what fun ... seems like ages since I played with Shrink Plastic.
If you want to see what ingredients I used to make it ... just click here and you will be magically transported to the Craft Barn Blog.

My favourite bit has to be the ickle biddy butterflies ... they are indeed ... Lord Tim of Holtz Movers and Shapers stamped onto the shrink and then ... erm ... shrunk :0) You know Tim ... the man that wrote every Motown classic ... ever ... while creating a scale model of Big Ben on the end of a tooth pick with just a spot of Dusty Concord Re-Inker and the handle of an Ink Blending Tool!
Christmas is officially over here ... decorations came down yesterday ... everything back to normal ... and looking very tidy I maight add ... I had my domestic Goddess hat on all day yesterday :0)
Right then ... I ought to get my butt into gear ... I have loads on the to do list and my non New Years Resolution is indeed to actually do it!
Have a good week people and for those of you that are returning to work today ...
Have a good one!
Laters!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T05:00:00.001Z

Happy 2012 every body ...

I am hoping 2012 is a better year altogether if I am honest ... 2011 was n't the best for us and it was really hard saying goodbye to John's wonderful Mum just before Christmas...

Onwards and upwards as they say ... I have n't made any resolutions this year ... I always break them by the end of the first week to be honest ... but I do need to reorganise myself ... rather a lot ... so ... here goes to ... lots more crafting ... lots more blogging and lots more ... erm ... writing lists and actually sticking to them!

My first challenge of 2012 is Simon Says Stamp and Show and the theme this week is Simon Says Stamp and Show ... Something Old ... Something New! I took an old projects and revamped it to make it new ... still with me? No ... ahh Well!
I have got a good idea ... why not make it your New Years Resolution to join in with Simon Says Stamp and Show every week for 2012 ... our fabulous site sponsor Simon Says Stamp provide a $50 shopping spree every week for a lucky winner picked at random ... and as they say ... you gotta be in it to win it!

Mmmm ... this was n't actually the easiest project to photograph to be fair ... it's a five piece hangy thing ... so hopefully you will get the general idea ... all stamps used are THE Wendy Vecchi and there is a fair splattering of Lord Tim of Holtz Idea-Ology on it too ... you know Tim ... the man that set up all the New Years Fireworks displays across all the capitals in all the world while putting all the pops in the party poppers with just a smidgeon of Perfect Pearls and a Paper Piercing Tool.
I must away ...
Happy Happy Happy New Year people ... I hope every day of the coming year is good to you and your famillies!
Laters!

Some Lord Tim Lurve!

2011-12-19T05:00:00.014Z

I have n't made a single Lord Tim Christmas Tag this year ... yet! So you can imagine how excited I was when I realised the Simon Says Stamp and Show theme this week was Tim Holtz inspired tags!

As much as I wanted to lock myself away and not come out until I had finished all twelve of this year's tags ... I managed to console myself with making three of my own.

I am feeling quite chuffed that I managed to stay away ... well ... almost anyway ... from the Fired Brick Distress Ink!

All the stamps used are Lord Tim of Holtz ... you know Tim ... the man that designed the Serengeti while single handedly modelling the Ice Hotel in Sweden with just a dab of Picket Fence Distress Stickles and an Idea-Ology Paper Clip.

I say ALL the stamps used are Lord Tim of Holtz ... but the Holly is indeed THE Wendy Vecchi ... and yes ... that is where the Fired Brick snuck in!

Righty Ho then ... do head over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challeneg blog ... you have two weeks to join in this time ... so there really is no excuse and as always ... once entered ... you could be in chance with winning a $50 Shopping Spree courtesy of Simon Says Stamp.
I need to get a wriggle on ... the list is still ... well unchecked to be honest ... I have everything to do and a diminishing amount of time within which to do it!
I did want to Thank you guys for all the lovely comments you left on Saturday for me ... you really are the best ...
Laters!

A Saturday Post!

2011-12-17T05:00:00.002Z

I know ... It's Saturday ... and I have managed a blog post! Impressed??? Well ... I have n't actually made anything ... but according to some of my ladies ... that's Ok ... they just like to know what I have been up to!
So here I am ... on a Saturday ... with news! I have been invited to demo at the Craft Barn in February ... which is tres exciting! So ... I shall be in attendance at their Mini Fest in February ... demoing all day and the following day ... I shall be teaching a class! How exciting is that?
Then ... if that was n't enough ... I have been invited to join their Design Team too ...
I do hope they know what they have let themselves in for!
I got an easy start too ... I just had to pick out my three favourite projects from 2010 ... want to know what I picked? ... Well ... here's the thing ... if you fancy helping me out ... well pop over to their blog and leave a comment ... a nice one ... you know ... like ... erm ... just really ... to make me ... erm ... look popular :0)
Before you ask ... I am no further forward with the whole Christmas Shopping thing ... or the wrapping thing or indeed any of the Christmas thing at all really ... still ... there is still plenty of time ... Is n't there?
Have a good weekend people.
Laters!

Configuring Christmas ...

2011-12-12T05:00:00.002Z

Another busy week here in Cambridge ... lots going on which means I just did n't find any time to blog and every spare minute went into fiddling with my latest Configuration!
But this is n't just any Configuration ... Oh No ... this was a kit given to me by the man himself ... Lord Tim of Holtz ... put together with the fair hands of the Kitting King in person ... Mr Super Mario! Thanks guys ... you are just the BEST! You know Tim ... the man that puts the sparkle in the snow while handcrafting a life size model of the Eiffel Tower in ice with just a long legged Brad and a Blending Tool!
I have added my own bits and pieces too ... and boy did I have fun!

Come join us a Simon Says Stamp and Show this week ... the theme is Thru' the Looking Glass ... Projects with Depth this week ... you could win a $50 Shopping Spree at Simon Says Stamp! Whatever happens ... you really need to pop over to the challenge blog and see what my wonderful teamies made ... STUNNING with a capital STUN I tell ya!
Righty-Ho ... I really need to get on ... Have n't started my Christmas Shopping yet ... Have n't written any Christmas Cards yet ... Have n't thought about what presents I am going to buy people yet ... Have n't made a list of food shopping yet ...
I know ... I know ...
Don't say it ...
How many days left ...
Crikey ...
Have a good one people ...
Laters

Elements of Time!

2011-12-05T05:00:00.002Z

Just time for a quickie today! I hope you guys were impressed with my FOUR blog posts last week! I find even myself in a state of shock ... I actually found some time ... and then I realised how much I missed it ... so I plan on doing lots more!
Talking of time ... Elements of Time is the theme at Simon Says Stamp and Show this week. These two pendants are my offering!
I was planning on doing just the Pocket watch ... but I kind of felt like I was cheating because I had n't done any stamping ... so I made another one ... using the fab clock stamp from The Wendy Vecchi.
The pocket watch is filled with old and new Lord Tim of Holtz stuff ... you know Tim ... the man that can make time stand still while constructing a scale model of Big Ben in a Coke bottle with just a smidge of White Enamel Accents and a pair of Tonic Studio Scissors.
Do join in with the challenge if you get ... erm ... time ... we have another $50 shopping spree from our wonderful site sponsor ... Simon Says Stamp ... to give away!
Well people ... that's me ... I have a very busy day ahead of me ... Hope you all have a good Monday ... don't forget to share what you have planned ...
Laters!

It's Christmaaaaaaaaaaaaas!

2011-12-01T10:41:00.000Z

I know ... Can you believe it??? Only 25 days to go! I am in a state of shock! There is a serious lacking of chocolate Advent calendars in this house too ... What's occurring?? I guess I had better get my skates on ... or should I say ice skates :0)
It only seems like five minutes since the last time I broke out in hives realising that I would have to face the shops ... and now I have got to do it all over again!
Don't get me wrong ... I LOVE Christmas ... I should get my decorations up at the weekend ... I even LOVE wrapping presents ... it is just that I LOVE it sooooooo much ... I just never seem to find the time to do it justice ... Ja get me??? That's a bit of street language I picked up off the telly :0)

So ... here we are ... my first Christmas card of 2011 ... I know what you sceptics are thinking ... you know who you are ... the same people that were following me last year ... that is her first and probably her last ... for this year anyways ... well watch this space ... I have BIG plans for this year! And if they are all quick and easy like this one ... well ... I have no excuse! Basically a bit of white card ... washed with Fired Brick Distress Stain ... Blend with Walnut Stain Ink and spritz with Heirloom Gold. Add a few Lord Tim of Holtz die cuts and an Adage Ticket and you are done! You know Tim ... the man that organises Santa and trains the reindeer (Anyone who saw Frozen Planet will know just how tricky training Reindeer is) with just a Tiny Attacher and a smidge of Coffee Archival!
I should point out at this stage in proceedings ... that I am addicted to The Wendy Vecchi's Holly stamp this year too ... LOVE it!
I must away ... Lord Tim of Holtz has his first tag up and I need to start if I stand any chance of actually making all 12 this year!!!
Laters!

S'Only Me!

2011-11-30T12:26:00.001Z

It has been about a decade ... In fact ... it may even be longer ... since I joined the keeper of the desks ... Missy Julia and all her loyal desk supporters in displaying me desk ... but here I am ... and here is me desk in all of it's ... erm ... glory! If you have n't a clue what I am on about ... just click here and you will be magically transported to one of the nicest groups of bloggers ... ever ... ever!
I know ... I know ... look!!! A day away from the start of December and I have a ray of sunshine! Usually I would ditch that photo ... but it is soooooo lovely to see ... I wanted to keep the moment! It's just such a shame that it is highlighting an ... erm ... mess ... but Hey Ho ... a girl can't have everything!

So ... what is on my desk apart from a mess ... well there is still my card from yesterday and the tag I played with aaaaaaages ago that led to the inspiration to the card! In fact ... I am feeling generous of spirit today in the old photo loading department ... so I will show you a close up of said tag! There is also a few unfinished objects ... but I am just going to brush over those ... I think they may be destined to remain unfinished for ... erm ... ever!
Talking of tags ... Lord Tim of Holtz Christmas tags start tomorrow ... Whoop Whoop ... I cannot wait ... and I have every intention of making the fifth year of my particiaption in said event as the first year that I actually finish them all :0) You know Tim ... the man that puts the shine into sunshine while walking on aeroplane wings with no support ... just a smudge of Jet Black Archival and a manilla tag!
Day three of blogging too ... on the trot no less ... seriously guys ... it is good to be back ... I missed you!
Have a good day ... see you tomorrow ...
Laters!

Get Me ... and Thank You!

2011-11-29T07:00:00.001Z

Look at me ... Blogging on a Tuesday ... for the first time in a gazillion years ... and even more impressive ... Blogging two days running! Well I am impressed ... Hands up all those that are impressed too!
It was a sad day last Saturday ... I taught my last class at LB Crafts ... many of you know that the wonderful Lin is retiring and sadly the shop is closing ... could be sooner than expected too ... apparently the shelves are beginning to look very bare indeed! So ... if you want a bargain ... you better hurry up!

I did manage to finish on a high ...with a sell out class and a fabulous group of ladies ... mind you ... all my ladies are always fabulous ... so ... if you ever attended one of my classes ... Thank you ... I had a ball! A big THANK YOU to the wonderful Lin too ... for having faith in me and the lovely Karen ... for being lovely ... always!
Now for the card ... Shabby Shutters Distress Stains ... Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink ... a spritz of Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls ... Some Pool and Lettuce colour wash all mixed up with some The Wendy Vecchi stamps ... and a few glorious PaperArtsy flowers thrown in for good measure ... and Bob's your Uncle! Nearly forgot ... the Lord Tim of Holtz clock die ... you know Tim ... the man that determines the weather worldwide on a daily basis while creating all the waves in all the seas with just a long legged brad and a mini paperclip.
I must way ... you can put your hands down now ...
Laters!

Disaaaaarster!

2011-11-28T05:00:00.001Z

Blimey ... This week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp has turned into a bit of a marathon for me! To be honest ... I turned it into a marathon ... the theme of stars is a fab one and not too taxing for anybody me thinks ... apart from me!!!!
About three weeks ago I made my project ... at the eleventh hour ... I realised I had got the wrong week ... horror of horrors ... I had to make something else in a bit of a hurry for a completely different theme!

Anyways ... there I was ... in my hurry ... dumped me star project on the side and got on making summink else. Well ... where I dumped it ... kind of grew into one of those crafty dumping places ... went to get it out to photograph this week and it has STUFF stuck to it and needs rather a large amount of repair work ... so I made this card instead! Crisis averted!
Not sure you can see the beautiful sparkle from the Ranger Perfect Pearls mist that I used ... I used The Wendy Vecchi's Botanical Art Stamps and Lord Tim of Holtz Distress Inks ... you know Tim ... the man that can hop from star to star without a safety net while polishing the moon with just a spot of Black Enamel Accents and an inch long piece of Tissue Tape.
Do join us for the challenge this week ... you would be in with a chance of winning a $50 Shopping Spree to be converted into wonderful crafty stash courtesy of Simon Says Stamp.
Have a good week people!
Laters!

Ho! Ho! and ... erm ... Ho!

2011-11-21T05:00:00.003Z

There I was ... with red bits and everything ... re-booking another waxing session on Friday afternoon ... Four weeks time I says ... that will be the week before Christmas says the waxing lady! OMG ... seriously ... FOUR WEEKS ... How did that happen??? Who moved it??? Surely last Christmas was only about six months ago???
So people ... if I sound like I am in a state of panic ... well I am ... that means I will have to go shopping and everything!
So it's more like Ho! Ho! Hum! than Ho!Ho! Ho! for me!

Anyways ... I say this year has gone fast ... but the last three months have dragged in other ways ... Today is my 3 month of not smoking anniversary ... Woo Hoo ... oh yes people ... three months ... I certainly never thought I would get here! I am now off the patches and relying on the odd piece of Nicotine Gum and the occassional losenge! In fact ... In fact ... I may be addicted to NRT now ... oops! That was a joke ... I am sure I am not ... well sort of sure :0)
I had a lovely day on Saturday teaching with a great group of ladies ... I even got time to play too with my new Lord Tim of Holtz Movers and Shapers! You know Tim ... the man that can feed 5000 with just a packet of McCoy's Cheese and Onion Crisps and a Cadbury's Flake while sculpting every individual Snowflake with just a splodge of Distress Stickles and a Pokey Tool.

Right ... back to the job in hand ... it's Monday and it's time for Simon Says Stamp and Show ... there is a $50 Shopping Spree up for grabs donated by the super duper people at Simon Says Stamp and all you need to do is come up with something that fits in with the theme of tickets and go and enter it over here!
Just in case you were wondering ... I have used Fired Brick Distress Stain ... Walnut Stain Distress Ink and a spritz of Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls Mist to colour my ATC's! The script and Holly are indeed THE Wendy Vecchi Stamps.
I must away ...
Laters!

Women Only = Wendy Only!

2011-11-14T05:00:00.007Z

I had a great week last week ... busy few days teaching and then some much needed R and R! Just want to wave to all my lovely ladies ... these are fun days tinged with sadness as lots of my ladies had their last classes with me at LB ... end of an era! I keep getting asked what I am going to do next and the simple truth is ... Who knows??? I am sure I will think of something :0)
And the good news is ... I can now tick that NON SMOKER box on any application forms ... oh yes indeed people ... it's about 15 weeks since my last cigarette ... am I still craving??? ... yes indeedy ... but I have n't weakened and that is the main thing!
Right ... onto the job in hand! Simon Says Stamp and Show this week is having a Women Only week. I interpreted said theme by using women only designed stamps ... any excuse to get me THE Wendy Vecchi stamps out to be honest!

My little book is made out of Manilla tags and bound together using a small piece of ribbon.
I coloured the tags with Shabby Shutter Distress Stains; Broken China Distress Ink and a spritz of Turquoise Perfect Pearsl ... LOVE that combination!
ALL the stamped images you can see are THE Wendy Vecchi and I have added a bit of Lord Tim of Holtz Idea-Ology to finish ... you know Tim ... the man that persuaded Berlesconi to resign while balancing 5462 plates on his head and walking accross hot coals with just a long legged brad and a spot of white enamel accents.

Righty-ho then ... I must away ... I am teaching a canvas class in Olney today and I plan to do a serious amount of shopping while I am there.
If you get chance please join in with the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge ... details are all here ... the theme may be Women Only ... but it is certainly open to men too and there is a $50 shopping voucher up for grabs to spend at Simon Says Stamp in any way you choose.
Have a great week people!
Laters!

Bean a While!

2011-11-07T04:00:00.001Z

It has bean aaaaaaages since I played with a Bean Tin. This week's challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show is Up-Cycling/Re-Cycling and gave me the perfect opportunity. Do you know ... I keep hyphenating Up-Cycling and Re-Cycling ... I have no clue why ... I am sure they are not hyphenated ... but then again ... maybe they should be??? It had obviously been a long night ... I am waffling!
If you fancy giving the whole challenge thing a go ... please make this the week to join us ... who knows you may win the $50 Shopping Spree that the wonderful Simon Says Stamp donate each week.
Right ... now for the details on the tin ... I made one like this a while back but my sister pinched it for her desk at work ... so I made another one! I digress! The tin is covered with Grungepaper either painted with Black Acrylic or coloured with Peeled Paint and Faded Jeans Distress Inks. That is a Lord Tim of Holtz Keyhole that you can see ... you know Tim ... the man that individually sculpts every single snow flake while popping over to the North Pole to give Santa THE list with just a dab of Glossy Accents and a Paper Piecing Tool.
The flowers are indeed from THE Wendy Vecchi Make Mine Mini Art set ... my all time favourite and the very first THE Wendy Vecch set I bought back in the day!
Okay ... I must away ... I shall be in Olney today with a great group of ladies exploring all the wonders of Ranger Products ...
I may be some time ...
Laters!

Simon Says ...

2011-10-31T04:00:00.001Z

Blimey ... Monday already ... and before I start my usual waffle I need to tell you that this IS NOT my design ... it was indeed a Lin Brown class from many moons ago ... It has sat on my side unfinished for an age now and when I saw that the Simon Says Stamp and Show a house theme ... I thought it was the ideal opportunity to finish it off.

The main base is the bottom and lid of a Lord Tim of Holtz Configuration ... you know Tim ... the man that painted the Mona Lisa with a cotton bud while building St. Paul's Cathedral in his lunch hour with just a Distress Stain and a pair of Tonic Studio Scissors.
I am not here today ... I am indeed in Olney teaching my Oodles of Grunge Class ... I actually remembered to pack my camera too ... so I may even be back later with some pictures ... no promises mind!
That's me for now ... Don't forget the challenge ... Simon Says Stamp and Show a House ... there is a $50 Shopping Voucher for Simon Says Stamp up for grabs.
Hope to see you there ...
Laters!