Card,Tag & challenges

Good morning, I am SO tired and the weather is  on the change to a more wet and colder few days so the weatherman say's I have been crafting a wee bit ;0) and having fun. And I can see many of you have to. I have been doing the rounds and your all so busy. This is how I have come to know about the  Less is More challenge there is a sketch to follow this week and as always you have to keep things to a minimum. This can be harder than any card to make sometimes but I loved the challenge of it. Another challenge this fits is The Play Date Cafe challenge they have a lovely colour combo this week of White Blue and Lilac and I think this is a lovely combination. So pop by these challenge blogs if you can and join in.

Here's a close up I have used stamps from Oxford Impressions and a couple of cuttlebug EF some of the co-ordinations card stock so I could sand it down for added texture and interest.

I really had fun creating this, I have used several of tim's dies to create this and I have used a few stamps (crafty secrets) with faux stiching and a lovely sentiment. I am going to enter this in to Tag Tuesday which is 'vintage sewing' this week.

Here's a close up showing the tag in more detail, you can see the EP and stamped back ground as well as more detail on the actual die cut. I have to say even though I stayed up all night creating several pieces and getting ahead with comments and posts I am really happy and I am off to bed for a few hours so my eyes will at least stay open. What a silly thing to do, stay up all night! Love Dawn xx

SCD Torso 'Red & Black'

It's Friday again! that means SCD. Torso's are the theme of August and this week it's a colour combo of Black & Red! here is my take, and I know you will get lots more inspiration if you pop over to see the rest of the fabulously talented DT.And as GSC are also using the same colour combo I thought I would include it in a challenge.

Here are a couple of close ups. I have used some DI an EF then highlighted with black ink also highlighted a couple of points with glossy accent's I stamped an image on to some fabric also died with DI and frayed the edges. Finally  added some trim to finish off the piece. I do hope you will join in this week with Something Completely Different I am enjoying these torso's and I know you are I saw some really fantastic 'Memories' last week. And don't forget we are doing a swap at the end of the month I hope you can join in. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Distress Inks, (DI) Tim Holtz Ranger. Emboss Folder, (EF) Tim Holtz sizzix. Fabric and trim stash. Stamps, Crafty ndividuals.

GSC exchange

Morning to you all hope you all well this Monday. I am really enjoying the exchange over at GSC. I posted my first exchange yesterday with a domino seems to have been very popular, lets hope this is just as popular. Here she is the queen herself 'Marie Antoinette' I have used a technique found in Craft Stamper, told you I was going to use lots of tecniques lol. If you would like more info about the exchange please click Here thanx.

You can see better here I think. I used some DI and stamped them on a heat mat (I use a cheap one from a £ shop) then add some water and stamp, the first time I had too much water (for what I wanted) lol so, you will have to give it ago until your happy with the image. I do like the wishy washy effect it gives,  although this is a very detailed stamp. I have also used other stamps and put versamark then a coloured ink on, then applied clear EP & heated.

I was playing with some ribbon today, I have used some in the background (gross grain) to give some texture and also embossed over it. I also made a little rosette inspired by Marie's costume (clothes) they often had this kind of things on sleeves etc so i thought I would have a go at making one, quite cute, what do you think? 

I have also completed another today and took my photos outside. How Sunny?  More of the OI stamps But I think I will enter these for a challenge or two as they fit in nicely. By the Cute & Girly (BTC&Gch)  their theme is 'Fairy Tales' and so this fits nicely. Sunday Stamper is all 'Siver 'this week. I wonder if Sir Stampalot (SSA)will count this in? their theme is 'Fantasy' I think AIW fits but maybe more fairys & dragons any way I will enter hope you like it.

Think you can see the silver better on this photo. As with all the other GSC exchange flowers I have used the same DP I have had them ages and I think they have fitted really well for this.I painted  it with gesso and stuck to my pizza box flower (you need to use everything I am trying to save the environment too =) left it over night to dry then got the EP out they do give it a lovely shine. coloured the images with copics. I also added a beautiful ribbon to hang this up with I thought it would make a nice door hanger for a little girls room. Although I have it hanging on my shelves it's really lovely with the other three, so only one more to make and I may have one for my self too, so that's five in all. I will show something different if I get to posting tommorow looks like you may have had enough of my flower creations lol

I am having lots of crafty fun and loving the new blogs I have found through you all leaving comments. I have also found an ATC swap buddy, if any one else would like to swap 3x ATC once a month for 6 month (must have real stamping on) let me know. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- DP Laura Ashley. Ribbon, Anitas & SU. Inks, Tim Holtz DI & SU. CuttleBug EF. Gold Pen stash. Stamps Oxford Impressions. Jumbo eyelets, SU. Emboss powder, Heat it up! Images coloured with Copic markers.

Days gone by (Spring)

Morning, another day closer to the heat of the SUMMER!!!! (I hope it's chucking it down here!) But for now a tag for Spring! This will cover a few challenges today. Tag It On the theme is an 'alternitive Spring' Ginger Snap Creations is to 'Take on a tutorial' Tag Tuesday is 'Stuck on collage' and Tuesday Taggers is 'Bugs' Oh and TT prize this week is with The Craft Barn Which last time I won! and have now recieved my goodies so fingers crossed you never know.

I did this tag with all these challenges in mind. TIO Alternitive Spring this is such a sweet image and not yr general daffs and eggs etc so I hope this will be OK GSC I have used a couple of tutorials. One from Tim Holtz Book 'Compendium of Curiosities this is first putting down colour Stamping/embossing over it using clear EP then adding more colour then taking off the CEP with the heat from iron. I then used one of GSC TT Image transfers here I have seen it some where before but I had forgotten all about it and it was really easy to follow great effect! You can see the 'Bug' for TT it's a dragon fly used s couple of  times in the back ground and the roses are sticky ones I have called my Tag/Collage 'Days Gone By (Spring)' as it's got that innocence of childhood, long since gone for me lol. I do hope you like my effort for today I did enjoy makng it why not try one or two  techniques that you haven't tried before on yr next project? I really enjoyed this and will be having a go at some more soon. Enjoy the rest of your day, Love Dawn xx

Oh I just want to thank kath as I had new neighbours move in a couple of days ago and I was with out a card, popping on Kath's blog as I often do I saw a great card HERE and I lifted it (of course I would never copy a persons work exactly) so mine is a wee bit different not sure it's a good as Kaths but it really got me out of a tight spot. I made it completely from scraps (again) and I hope the new neighbours like it, as soon as it was done I popped it through the letter box, thanx again Kath xxx

Oh if you are looking for the winner of the Blogaversary candy click HERE for the lucky winner!!

Items Used:-Stamps, Paper Artsy & Craft Stamper. Image Katzelcraft (Available at the Craft Barn). Inks, Distress Inks Tim Holtz Ranger. Flowers Hobby Craft. Tag Tim Holtz. Fibers, Stash. DP K&Co.

I'm a GDT member at Tuesday Taggers And aTrinchie too!

I was so thrilled to be asked to be a GDT over at Tuesday Taggers every one that wins has the opportunity, how cool. The theme this week is Masquerade/Jesters I went with the Masquerade I just kept thinking of the beautiful masks worn and thought I would like to make one or two ;0) I have had an idea I can use this for a challenge this week too! Over at the Three Muses the challenge this week is 'incognito' and Marilyn is most certainly that, I hope you like it.

Here is a close up of the mask on the card I guess you recognise Marilyn too! I have used this stamp many times but still no idea where it came from. There are lots of stickles to make the mask come alive! So what did I do? Well I stamped Marilyn on some vanilla paper with stazon. Drew a mask free hand on some card stock, used lots of Glimmer Mists (GM) you should see how they sparkle IRL. Then I used the stickles to make patterns on the masks. used some foil card stock put through the Cuttlebug EF then some yummy Basic Grey paper, black card stock too! then lots of sticky dots (like brad heads) I even gave her a diamond necklace (More stickles)

I thought I would (as it's TTs) make a tag to go along with the card, this time a change of mask and feather! but same back ground & paper. Done the same as the card only different colours. I stappled the mask to Marilyn with a feather. Pearl necklace this time with some pearl glue paint, distressed the edges of the tag,  that's about it. It's very nerve racking being  a GD as you don't know what any one else has created and you just hope that yours is ok and doesn't look too sad next to there all too often amazing creations so I am honored to be amongst them this week I hope you like this, so do pop along and have a go I really enjoyed this theme. 

On to my Trinchie for Something Completely Different I love this challenge every month something fun and every week a great theme. I had trouble with the theme 'MEN' I found this stamp at the last minuet as I have no stamps with a man on then this came to my rescue (I have ordered a couple now) I wish you could see it IRL the colours are wonderful with Glimmer Mist (GM)

I only just taken these (Late at night) so it's hard to see well. I got some white card stock couple of GM then dried and then some DI stamped and then some cream CS and stamped the image cut out and added to the Trinchie. I bought these postage stamps ages ago (honest must of had them over a year!) never new what to do with them other than I liked them and it's perfect for this isn't it?

I don't know how I came up with the saying it just popped in my head, after many I just coudln't use for one reason or another, then woosh and I thought yep! my thoughts exactly. How uncomfortable these must have been to ride and why on earth so high? I know some bikes were high so you could put the oil lamps out at night but this was strictly for recreation/getting around BARMY! ;0) I hope you like this fun little post and thanx again for stoppin by have a great week and pop by again soon for a nosey and a chat. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Stamps, Marilyn, Crafty Individuals & Habbico. DP, Basic grey. Card stock, foil, SU & Stash. Glimmer Mist. Stickles, distress Inks. Makin memories, mini alphas. Postage stamp, e-bay. Ribbon & Feathers stash.

ATC Swap!

Hi ya, it's me. Back with some more ATCs, I was asked to come and play, who am I to refuse lol It's so nice to be asked to play. So here are my ATCs for the swap over on The Artist Trading Club and there are some super works to be hold. You know I never really got ATCs before but now I have seen more and more and have made a few I SO GET IT! Any way for this swap you make five one for your self and four to swap the theme is 'Fairy Gardens' why not pop along and have a go at something new! you have until the 31st of March, or jpoin in if you make them already, let me tell you I have had so much fun finding the inner ARTIST!

 

I think this is my favourate one of them all that's why she's first lol. Any way on to the ATCs I have been using some yummy techniques, I have been using some new colours of Tim's DI and then some Clear EP  with some yummy stamps then more DI then Ironing off the EP and hey presto! beautiful may I say STUNNING backrounds for all the 5x ATCs.

 

One had to be PINK! I know how girly you all are and love pink! I do to, in the right place (my bed room is shades of pink and chiffon, why not take a quick peek I don't mind.  My Bed room Before and After I decorated in January last yr and I am very proud of it I did my very first altered project on a big big scale lol, chest of draws wardrobes all sorts I never thought to take lots of photos as I wasn't really into blogging then. Any way back to the ATCs

 

This reminded me of a secret garden waiting to be discovered, I love this, the little fairy is guiding the way to a magical haven! Do follow me and come in to fairy land. Think I will be a way with the fairys if any one else hears me lol More like a straight jacket and the men in white coats lol. Don't be telling on me will you?

 

And on to some sihouette's have you noticed the butterfly on each one? I am looking for more I wish I could make some feather ones (will have to buy one when I see some and then see if I can come up with something). If you knew me well you would be wondering why I was indeed going on about butterflys at all! Truth is I have a Phobia  of Moths and butterflys come pretty close too so not keen on the Real Life ones if they come close to me eww! At least they move better! and are colourful stop I can't talk about the things i end up thinking of the creepy moth EEEWWWW!!!!

 

Deep breath, last but by no means least, This one! Did I actually say the theme over on Artist Tradin Club  is actually 'garden fairys' I still think I have a long way to go, re ATCs but I'm feeling confident that I can improve, I hope you swapers like what I have produced. Be gentle it's my first swap ;0) Love you and all your comments. Love Dawn xx

Items Used: Clear EP. Stamps Lavinia, Anna Griffin & Rubbadubadoo. Ribbon Making Memories,Crafty Time & Stash.Gold wings, Paper Artsy. Coloured with Copics. Ranger, Stickels.  Distress Stickles & Distress Inks. Crafty Individual Miniture Photos. and lace from Orchid crafts.

A day with Tim!

 

Morning I am shedualing this post, as grandson will be coming and I don't know if I will get to play much on Tues & Wed. So here I am on Mon. am with fingers crossed. A day with Tim, (not him self) but sure felt like it going through loads of techniques all day and then putting some of those practiced techniques in to a piece of work and this is it!

I thought it would be a shame not to enter this into a challenge so I thought of Tuesday Taggers  as there theme is swirls and curls and I have used a swirly stamp and they are being sponsored this week by one of my fave online shops (I know I have a few lol) but Crafty Individuals have some great stamps and the company is very generous I have recommended them before because of their great service. Now it just so happens I won last weeks prize, how cool is that? so the chances of me winning again are pretty slim lol but one can try and it's always fun to enter isn't it lol

I have done the flower before, but here it is again, and if you look at all the butterflys you will notice that they have been punched from crackled DP, I love the effect and of course some DI smudged (Dawn's techniqcal term) in to show the crackle effect.

I have taken a grunge key and stamped it with clear EP  and heated re-inked to get this rusty effect with a darker DI. I also put some alcohol ink on the jump ring to age it too.

Another close up of the Butterflys all crackled, just thought, I should of turned the last to photos round lol. I have had a ball with Tim's book it does feel like kinda havin' him there guiding you through every step, very good instructions and accompany photos.

The final photo bet you thought we wouldn't get there lol. You may notice the clear EP frame which had been done when there was only a very light back ground  of DI I have added more and more on top then whiped the excess off the top of the EP and so the frame still looks like the origional light colour, I know most of us have done a lot of these techniques before but just in case you haven't I am letting you know ;0)  Well that was the last photo, better get some things done in prep for the cutie (James) to arrive. may with a bit of luck get some more crafting done today so I can get another post shedualed. Thank you for stopping by and any comment you may leave thank you. Love Dawn xx

Items Used: - too many! Tim Holts, DI, alcohol inks, Idiology distress stickles, distress crackle, Grunge, & stamp. Nestabilites, Marthar Stewart, Making Memories DP & Ribbon. Anna Gryffin Stamps. Think thats it!

Challenge card

Hello again Bloggers. I have managed to do this card and fit it in with two challenges. The first is, Sketch Saturday And some super prizes on offer this week and as always the DT are wonderful. The next is Penny Black, and they have a super colour combo of Green, Pink & Yellow and I love this combo it's so fresh. I only posess one PB stamp and it just so happens that is the prize this week lol. The image I have used however, is from Valentine’s, this lovely lady sends FREE images. I am so greatful, they were beautifully stamped so I could use my copics and she sent a few so a big thank you again to her.

Here is a close up of this cute cat! thought I might send this to my Mum for her Birthday next month, I am sure she will see the funny side. I have ordered some more Copic pens too I am getting quite the collection now. I still love using them, and colouring is so theraputic, calms me down and takes me to a nice quiet place ;0)

I made some of these lovely circle flower thingys ( I'm sure they have a name) I haven't used them for a while but I really like the look of them here. Thank you for looking. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Card stock, SU. Stamps, Image Penny Blk Sentiment (no lable on this sorry another £1 stamp) Emboss folders Cuttlebug. DP Basic Grey (Porcelaine) Buttons & Floss stash. Punches, SU & Dove craft.

More challenges

I have three challenges for this lovely card, first Mojo Monday I have followed the sketch wasn't sure about this one but looks lovely I think. Next is Basic Grey I have been looking at this photo for two weeks I love this room very inspiring (go to the blog to see the photo) I would love this decor in my front room who would think of painting their walls grey though? So I have taken some of the colours from this and used them as well as Basic Grey items (Listed in Items Used). I have also joined Creative Card Crew (CCC) & Simon Says request that a punch is used.

Here you can see a close up of the image these stamps can be used for almost anything I keep forgetting I have them. It's a nice change instead of the standard image I normally use.

I am going to try and do some more Scraping this week (wish me luck).And I may well do some more cards. Thank you for looking. Love Dawn xx

Items Used: Stamps, Stampin' Up & Basic Grey. Inks, colour box. Die cut Basic Grey. Card stock stash & Co'Ordinations. Gem Kaiser craft & Punch from SU.