This little place

Not a card

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000Z

And there was the week-end gone had forgotten just how quickly a week-end can pass but I blinked and it did. Still managed to get in a little crafting.

Each week at Flying Unicorn one member is selected as Artist of the Week. We are invited to lift a project from the members album in the group and make it our own. This week the featured artist is Lisa, aka Feathers I do not know if she has a blog so cannot share her fantastic work with you. Included in Lisa's work is a lovely corrugated card tag how could I not be inspired by it?

For this version the tag once stripped down to it's corrugations was sprayed with red Glimmer Mist. The Crafty Individuals poppy stamped onto white card and coloured with ProMarkers. The poppy flower is made up of 5 layers using Papermaina build a Poppy set stamped on the same white card and coloured with the the same pens. Some seam binding sprayed with the GM and crumpled up. More corrugated card also sprayed and left over from an earlier project added to the tag, the small tag with heart and flower on top slips under the poppy flower making another 4 layer element. The other flowers were punched and layered after the smaller ones coloured with ProMarker in Poppy red, the same colour used on the edge of the larger flower.

My tag then for Flying Unicorn, also fits
Come and get it - Anything but a card
Crafting when we can - something not intended for crafting (the corrugated card)
Allsorts - One or more heart
Crazy 4 Challenges - Layer it on
Marks Finest Papers (aka Speedy Fox) - Card with at least 4 layers

Right off to work then (big grin)

Less is More Week 52

2012-01-29T00:27:00.001Z

Felt like not a lot got done yesterday it was just one of those nice chilled kinda days, how was yours?

Did check the Less is More challenge and found a sketch this week. A very simple vertical stripe on a landscape card. Got out my new tin of Artquest faux lace and tried it out. three strips of the tape but not rubbed quite properly as it did not break down. Used the mica flakes and glitter finishing off with some gilding flakes already in my craft room. A little stamping in lighting black and it was done. Really rather like the result of the different mediums on the tape.

Glorious Green Embellishment!

2012-01-28T10:41:00.000Z

Are you ready for the week-end, its wall to wall blue here and fresh maybe the day to spend outside! Had a busy week at work settling in there a little now and loving it so here's hoping!

Still finding some crafting time, last evening made up this little Tando printer tray. The set comes with three top pieces so you can make it as deep as you want, for dimension all three pieces were used here.

The back/base is solid Tando and has been covered with some Graphic 45 Steampunk paper after the paper had been sprayed with Green Glimmer Mist. Viva Inca Gold in Green and Gold used to colour the edges and top parts, the little stand that comes with the set coloured with just Green Inca Gold. Then came the fun; part using stripped corrugated card and the TH cogs and gear die some embellishments cut out. Then sprayed with more Glimmer mist 3 different shades of green and one coffee colour. While they were drying I dug into my bag of scrap watch and clock parts. Some parts used to enhance the image, others decorate the top frame. A mock optician's eye glass has been used on the bottom left. While rummaging a couple of butterflies and a dragonfly previously stamped and embossed on painted paper found the light of day, albeit electric light. The two butterflies adorn the frame while the dragonfly has landed on the stand. Another discovery is an old scrabble tile. The now dry corrugated cogs fixed in place and some green paper flowers added.

Green is my favourite colour or colour family and I include Gold in that! So this week's Gingersnap Challenge is right up my street with a theme title 'Glorious Greens!'

Also very much in my mind when making this was The Stamp Man challenge where the theme this week is 'Embellish it'. Think this might just qualify, but I have a complaint about the DT there. A couple of you have used a wonderful bodice stamp on your samples and it is hurting my already groaning bank account!

Prairie Fairy Fridays, have a challenge looking for anything but a card.
Inspire me Friday's, always a fabulous fun party

Feelin' the Love

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000Z

This is a little hanging I made from red card, the Indigo blu 'Love is' stamp, stamped in black and clear embossed. The heart shape of the stamp was followed when cutting out the card, leaving a margin for the TH ribbon flowers. The flowers were coloured with Glimmer Mist, Passion Red. The card shape was traced and cut again go over the back of the hanging hiding the dst holding the flowers ribbon in place, black lacey ribbon that forms the hanging loop.

Well it is the season of love, and remember this is a leap year!

Sharing this with
Robyn's Fetish - Love
Stamping Sisters in Christ - Make a Heart Stand out in your Project.
Get Hippity with Ippity - Hearts
Anything Goes Challenge - To the one I love
Creative Card Crew - Seeing Red
Ruby's Rainbow - Valentines or Red and Black
Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Love is Red and Black

Just for Fun - Medieval

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000Z

Crazy, the last Thursday of January already! The last of Von's time travelling at Just for Fun. Having the 60's and 70's then Art Deco and last week Art Nouveau I really wondered where Von would send us next so many artistic styles and inspirations, never expected it to be Medieval!

Easy peesy as it turned out. Reach for my Tanda Stamps and the Medieval set for knights battling it out. Medieval times that's knights and dragons bring on Merlin. Lots of stamping and colouring a nestie cut and fun.

As always Von and Neet have made samples that you can see on their blogs or over at the Just for Fun challenge site, where we are looking forward to seeing your knights in shining armour or what else the inspires you to.

First ATC in ages

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000Z

It's been an age since I made an ATC, cannot remember the last one in fact. The third challenge I entered at the week-end party at Flying Unicorn was to make an ATC.

Recent acquisition from Tanda stamps are the ATC sized Zodiac sets. This is the first one to be inked. Used Memento Paris Night to stamp the image twice, cutting the ram from the second impression to layer it over the top of the base card. All the colouring was done using Pro Markers love those pens. Of course the gem stone for Aries is Diamond so a strip of sparkly clear gems just brings the right touch of bling.

Sharing this with ATCs and Cards with Attitude who following a slight change have an anything goes challenge.

Craft-Room Challenge - Valentines

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000Z

It's that time again another Craft-Room Challenge! This time Maria is hosting the theme and has selected Valentines.

My first idea was a pin cushion on a Friendly plastic cuff. The cushion (badly stitched by me) follows an Indigo Blue heart stamp in Majestic Purple on some satin fabric. The cuff is a strip of FP oozed through some holey fabric re-softened and shaped round a rolling pin. As it was not going to carry the cushion, decided to give it some charms including a heart shaped pendant from the scrap jewellery. Finally lace was simply attached on each side.

What sweet surprise are you preparing for your Valentine?

Thought I'd share this with
Incy Wincy Designs - Anything but a Card
Paper Creations Ink - Love and Romance
Penny Black and More - Love and Hearts
Pile it on - Lace
Scrappy Frogs - Lace

More Flying Unicorn and White and White

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000Z

What a week-end! and now I'm working the old routine of HW and stuff kicked in as well. Did not stop me joining the party at Flying Unicorn. One of the many challenges was White on White, you know I love White on White.

Don't need much encouragement to play around with a canvas, or two some embossing paste and a Dreamweaver stencil. Rubber Stamps and ep, paper, ribbon and lace, feathers and glitter, there is even some Picket Fence Distress stain. Unfortunately by the time it was finished the day had turned to darkness making this a difficult piece to photograph, sorry.

You know the Saturday list at Feline Playful provides me with oodles of inspiration and challenges to join in, no except this week.

2 Sisters - Embossing
Craft your Days Away - Distressing
Sweet Stampin' - White on White

Butterfly

2012-01-22T00:09:00.002Z

There is a Pajama party this week-end at Flying Unicorn heaps of fun challenges and all sorts of fun. Oodles of inspiration as well.

This tag is my response to the inspiration picture challenge. The picture full of flowers in oranges and yellows in vases. They are part of a table arrangement with gold rimmed glasses that look to be filled with white wine. The colours and flowers inspired the tag.

La Blanche stamps, the very first set I ever got, stamped in various shades of DI. The floral garland is fussy cut from a Do Crafts A4 pad. Took ages one of those things you wonder why you start. The paper flowers are also Do Crafts with gems from the same set as centers. Another piece of paper from the same pad and the Marianne butterfly die. Getting the hang of these with the aid of card over the paper to be cut and running it through the big shot about 8 times.

Making this a second entry to Fashionable Stamping with the butterfly.

Less is more aperture

2012-01-21T11:53:00.000Z

Am I the only one who has problems with these Marianne dies? The one I used this morning is the center flower of a doily die. The doily shape cut another piece of the same card perfectly, but then it came to the flower well that is a different story!

The result was about to be discarded when it struck me that it is an aperture in the off the page style, hope La Diva's agree. Used printed vellum to cut three more flowers stuck one in the card flower and allowed the other two to float on the page. All of them have yellow self adhesive gems in the center.

A CAS card for Less is More this morning.

Tanda Teaser Scenic Scene

2012-01-20T07:22:00.001Z

Seem's lots of people are having problems with Blogger at the moment. If you cannot comment here please do not give it a moments thought and I know some of my blogland friends have. It will all settle down and we are lucky to have our blogs so a problem now and again is worth it.

Had a great deal of fun with this card which was inspired by For your Inspiration's picture this week. The colours and images of the picture have not been used but the picture struck me as very oriental. Sue's Tanda Teaser this fortnight is to make a scene, once I knew it was going to be oriental it all fell into place.

Moving along with the Times, this week are looking for things with wings, birds and butterfly's on this card.
Fashionable Stamping have a challenge to include butterflies or bugs.

Just for Fun - Art Nouveau

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000Z

Here we are again with Von taking us a little bit further back in time just a few decades and Art Nouveau. The two styles Art Nouveau and last week's theme Art Deco are closely aligned in my mind. Fair enough really, the first merged and evolved into the second.

For my DL card I used another candy win this one from Neet, the rubber had been removed from the wood so again no idea who made it. It is very much French Nouveau with a scene looking into a party all rather Toulouse-Lautrec. A little research into the style prompted the colour scheme hence the oranges and golds. The stamped image has been mounted onto Gold Mirra card that is wider than the base card, the side of the Mirra card cut with a TH on the edge die. The ribbon is of course chocolate box ribbon saved because it was just too good to throw away.

As always Von and Neet have made their own Art Nouveau samples, both heaps better than mine it has to be said. Please do visit us at Just for Fun and share your Art Nouveau projects with us.

As you might know I'm a big fan of ProMarkers used them for all the colouring on this card which I'm entering to I love ProMarkers anything goes challenge this week.

Couple of one layer birds

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000Z

Trying to keep up with the changes in blogger is becoming quite a task they are moving at such a pace. One thing I've found that the new dashboard layout really means regular checks on the blogs I follow are that little bit harder. Like a lot of us I flick through visiting the ones that catch my eye cannot visit everyone let alone comment. Now the list shows the most recent updates but you have to click more to go back and I'm missing updates as a consequence. If I've not visited you I'm sorry and I will try to get round to everyone.

The Less is More challenge this week is one layer birds. Really got me thinking about the many different bird stamps in the collection & how much fun it is to use Whisper pens to colour the stamps. This stamp was from a Candy win, no idea who the maker is. Coloured with Whisper pens and stamped onto white card.

This Inkadinkado stamp is a clear one, these stamps to not work nicely with felt tip pens. Happen to have some inks made to work on clear stamps and they are in little inchie pads. Used a variety of colours and then stamped the image onto a square card that came with the silver banding.

Both cards are for Less is More (entries 2 & 3 from me in one week!)

Tando Wavy bottom tag

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000Z

OK so I kept quiet until yesterday about the job well it is only a temporary role for maybe a few weeks. It was the upside to Friday 13th. & everything went well yesterday so I am going back today!

Still managed a little play in the evening. Started with a Tando Wavy Bottom tag and some wonderful Viva Inca Gold, green and copper. Next Papermaina Urban stamp with the key hole collage and music. The owl on watercolour paper is a Tattered Angels stamp coloured on this side with Inca Gold and coloured pencils. The owl has been slotted into a TH pin, hemp twine has been wrapped around the base. At the top there is a Memory Keepers eyelet and metal chain.

Of course there is a reverse side. Once the owl was cut out it was stamped again on the reverse and coloured with pastel chalks and coloured pencils. On the reverse of the tag the music stamp used again together another bird image sorry it is hard to see in the photo.

Naturally there are one or two challenges I'd like to share this with.

2 Sisters - Use Metal
Stamp Scrap and Doodle - Use Metal
Little Claire's - Anything but a Card
Make it Monday - Always Anything Goes
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Birds of a feather

My blue period

2012-01-16T07:15:00.000Z

Well it's a first day at work for me today feels good even if it is a short term assignment.

Seem to be quite a few blue challenges around this week and one or two others on the Saturday Feline Playful list caught my eye again. I love preparing that list!

Did not need much excuse to work on another canvas. The base layer is 'Blue Peri' Dabber, an old and quite dry, brushed it onto the canvas as it dried the colours split leaving pinky purple streaks. Next stamped the Peacock Woman and old Elusive Images stamp and embossed it in Blue Glass. Blue Glass is an old favourite I've not used for a long while and had forgotten how lovely it is. Despite using the heat gun on the canvas the powder did not just stick to the image, however I love the result it looks as if she is veiled by blue wind. Peacock woman masked and the Peacock from the same set stamped, a Penny Black rose stamped onto the canvas as well in another shade of blue. Dabber in Sail Boat Blue and Viva Inca Gold in Blue worked on the edges of the canvas.

Left to dry overnight. Some blue vellum cut and torn to cover part of the canvas Blue Memory Keepers buttons attached. The Elusive Images peacock stamped again in blue, a Dreamweaver stencil embossed onto the vellum. Tattered florals die cut some more of the vellum and blue tissue paper layered these in differing combinations secured with a brad and attached to the canvas. Found a Creative Expression image stamped into Fusible film and fiber's some time ago and she just seemed to belong on the edge of the canvas.

Sharing this with
Rogue Redhead - Frosted, use Vellum
Secret Crafter - Anything goes with Blue
Crazy 4 Challenges - Monochrome Blue
Suger Creek Hollow - Embossing
Just us Girls - Stamping Collage
Addicted to Stamps - Use Blue
Simon Says Stamp and Shop - Anything but a card

One layer card with Birds

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000Z

With a CAS challenge ongoing at Craft-Room Challenge it has been interesting to see different people's ideas of clean and simple! The challenge runs until 23rd January if you fancy joining us.

Checking THE CAS site 'Less is More' it seems maybe Chrissie and Mandi are also encouraging us to go back to basic CAS this week. It's one layer week at LIM and the challenge is to include birds.

A5 card folded in half and one edge cut with the scallop blade of the trimmer. Tanda stamp 'Cattle egrets in flight' stamped in DI Stormy Skies, the words 'Don't look for what you expect, see what is there' is a custom stamp Andrew made up for me. Once stamped inked a paint brush with DI broken china and swiped it across the card with a slight upward stroke. The fine edge of a dark blue Whisper pen used to underscore the stamping.

A splash of Red

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000Z

So how was Friday the 13th for you? I'm not especially superstitious but the little hiccup with my account made me think! But then there was also a call about a working interview on Monday and it cannot get much better than that!

Time to tell you the winner of my blog candy! The lucky person is:-

No 16 - Chrissie!!!

Wow Chrissie, congratulations. Please send me an email with your address and I'll get it in the post to you.

While it is not my favourite colour red is one I do like, for a bright splash especially as a contrast to White. Getting a lot of inspiration from Flying Unicorn, this is my second entry to the January Tag Challenge, which is predominantly white .

Checking my reading list quickly became aware that there is a new challenge at The Stamp Man and their prompt this time is to use Red. That set my colour scheme.

The base of the tag is a Sizzix paisley shape, on top a Marianne Lantern die cut with red cellophane behind it and a Marianne Butterfly die cut flitting off to the side. All die cuts made with white watercolour paper. White seam binding hangs from the bottom of the lantern with red paper flowers attached by white glittered brads. The tag is suspended on red sewing thread through a small red eyelet.

Also entering this into Flutter by Wednesday - Always require a butterfly, fairy or angel, this time with bright colour. Deep Ocean Challenge, lots of White. Paper Creations Ink, Die-cuts and or Punches. Simon says Stamp and Shop, Red Letter Day.

Friday 13th!

2012-01-13T19:19:00.000Z

For just a little while there my account was suspended which also effected my two challenge sites. You are reading this so you know its OK again now.

Thank you Google for sorting it out so quickly.

New Year Blog Candy

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Good Morning, how's your head? Good celebration last night, even if today is not the start of a new year for you if you are in the 'west' my guess is you joined the party. Well how could you not with all the fireworks. Here is to you and 2012.

Rather than share another project today I'm sharing some treasure in the form of Blog Candy. There are two sets of stamps and some 2M lengths of ribbon. As well as this there is some 'broken jewellery' I had the top bid for a fantastic box of old/broken jewellery recently. When it arrived and I saw just how much there is and how fantastic it all was decided to share a little of it, those gold coloured beads are threaded on gold coloured chain! Had to photograph it to stop myself changing my mind and keeping some it. Just think of all the vintage/shabby chic projects you could use these lovelies in.

Candy will run until Friday 13th January and is open to all my much appreciated followers so if you are one please leave a comment to let me know you have seen the candy and why you would like to win it. I used the Excel Rand function to select the winner and let you know who in a couple of weeks. Good Luck.

News print on Watercolour board

2012-01-13T00:30:00.000Z

There are some great challenges at Flying Unicorn enjoying exploring them. Helps take my mind off other things like the job hunt that continues..

Anyway Feline Playful each week one of these talented individuals is featured as Artist of the Week. The Challenge is to 'lift' one of their projects and this is mine for this week. The Scrap book Page I've been inspired by, made by Shona sorry but i do not have her site address to share with you, is a halloween theme with gorgeous yellows, news print and torn papers. I don't really do scrap book pages so started here with a 12" x 9" watercolour board and a picture of a Kestrel from the local paper. Using modge podge news paper cuttings were stuck to the board, spray paint in Yellow and Orange sprayed over. Stamping up papers torn to go over the board, the circular piece stamped with the butterfly, the image stamped again and the inner section cut out to sit on top. A flower cut out from the same papers the various layers attached with more modge podge and again sprayed, this time Red was added to the mix. La Plume solvent pens re-outlined the flower and butterfly. More butterflies and dragonflies stamped over the piece and another butterfly die cut in red paper. Metal flower on chain attached at the top and some silk flowers that have been in my stash forever added. Think this one might just deserve a frame.

Also sharing this with Inspire me Fridays which is always 'Anything goes'.

Just for Fun - Art Deco

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000Z

Back at Just for Fun it is time for a new challenge. Von is whisking us back in time this month, this week we are going back almost 100 years to the wonderful era of Art Deco. All very sharp and crisp clean lines, flat roofs and sleek cars.

I've had this paint brush box for a little while thought it would look quite good with a sunburst top. Drew the design out on paper and then embossed it onto silver coloured metal. Coloured the metal with Pro Markers going over the embossed lines with black. Before attaching the metal the box was painted black on the bottom silver round the top and then blasted with silver spray and sparkle.

As usual Von and Neet have super samples to share with you and this week we are joined by Chrissie whose work I admire. Have you an Art Deco project to share with us this week at Just for Fun?

On my soap box

2012-01-11T12:26:00.000Z

If you know me you might well think that soap boxes are something I stand on while talking your ears off! (and maybe boring you rigid in the process) Not this one now all my cloths, bedding, towels and everything else it is possible to stuff in the machine is clean the box was ready for re-purposing.

So re-purpose it I did. Some beautiful 12x12 that has been in the paper stroking box for years was used to cover it, rather like wrapping a present.

Next Sorted through my stash of Tando Chipboard. selecting a wavy bottom arch, a key and lock plate and on the sides arch's within an arch. All Tando coloured with Inca Gold either in gold or green.

Next some of the Tando was stamped and embossed with White EP. A sheet of 12x12 Vellum cut into and part of the flower pattern stuck to the front of the box. Another bird stamp added in Brilliance ink the design highlighted with clear gems. Some white cotton lace stuck around the top of the box. DST run down sides and covered with gliding flakes. Finally some pale green ribbon stretched over the back, the top ribbon has a glass bead threaded onto it, and a single piece of ribbon stretched over the front also with a glass bead.

Gingersnaps 134 Spicy Supply this week is to use Ribbon.
At Anything goes it is anything goes
Everybody art have the prompt Shabby
Make it Monday is always Anything Goes
Pollycraft are looking for anything but a Card
Smudgy Antics a none cute challenge very refreshing want us to recycle
2 Sisters Things with Wings

Clean and Simple at Craft-Room Challenge

2012-01-10T00:00:00.000Z

It is Esther's turn this time to set the challenge at Craft-Room Challenge. I think Esther has been kind to us asking for Clean and Simple but not all the team would agree with me!

The stamp is from Tanda Stamps Retro set Julia has this set in stock if you are interested. It has been simply stamped in black onto a square card cut with a nestie, while the die was in place Barn Door Red blended over the inside edge. The black DI added after the nestie was removed. Black and grey patterned paper laid under the stamped image and just the two words "For You" stamped below.

As always there is the opportunity to win £10 to spend at the Craft-Room if you pop the shop logo and a link in your sidebar. Hop on over to the Craft-Room Challenge to see some of the really good CAS work the team are sharing this fortnight.

Circles, with pieced flowers

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000Z

Got to say blog hopping is great fun at the moment, now that Christmas has passed it is as if someone has thrown colour every where!

This little card is very much inspired by all that I'm seeing around. Inkadinkado pansy's stamped twice in Momento 'Paris Skies', and coloured with Promarkers. The second stamping cut out and layered over the first with sticky pads. Some seam binding coloured with purple distress stain and tied in a bow. Seam binding and distress stain more sale bargains. The sentiment also stamped in Momento is from Creative Expressions.

Challenges this week that this card is for are:
Designed 2 Delight - Winter flowers
Our Creative Corner - Shaped Cards
Allsorts - Paper piecing
Creations by Gill - Make a 3D project
Fashionable Stamping - Anything goes using new stash

Dustbin day today, when we get back to regular collections after the year end you really know it is over and normal service is operating.

Ice White Tando

2012-01-08T00:00:00.000Z

Time to share my DT piece for the January Tando Creative Challenge. It's a clock from that Swedish place.

The Challenge is Ice White, with an inspiration picture suggesting that White and Silver are the order of the day. Masked the clock face with Tando Flourish Ring Mask and sprayed it with etching spray. Pity about the red second hand but it could not be helped. Some new Tando Chipboard, the letters set, inked and embossed with WOW Pearl White. Items from three other White lined Tando sets Locks and Latches, Keys and Flourishes sprayed with Cosmic Shimmer silver which pooled leaving some area's white and others sparkly silver. Sticky back gems mark the hours.

You do not have to use Tando to enter the challenge use anything you like that meets the theme. One lucky person is drawn at random from the entries each month they win a selection of Tando Chipboards and or Masks of their choice! Check the site for details and see samples from others of the DT, usually there are 2 samples each week for the first 4 weeks of the challenge.

Making this my second entry to Stampalot Monochrome challenge for January, monochrome doe's not have to be white on white or black and white but I do love white on white and so loved doing this clock. Also sharing this with Crazy 4 Challenges - Anything goes, as is Crafty Emma's.