Peanuts anyone?

I save empty tins of all shapes, and they are getting in the way so I thought I would alter a couple. This is a smallish KP tin (other nuts are available lol) And I love playing with stuff as you know, so this was a good way to play with out buying anything new and getting rid  using some of my delightful paper stash. Isn't this very shabby chic style?  Some vintage lace and some yummy Prima flowers I have had for literally years. Anything Paris connected and I love to play all the more lol. So I hope you like my tin to store all sorts of stuff, from cotton wool balls to bits of make up or your sewing scissors & threads whatever you like grab a tin and get cracking lol.

Then I went all Retro, I adore this paper and I have used it many times in background shots of items as I have with the Parisian one above as well *swoons* just love all of these papers. Well, these have a real retro feel to them so I thought I would put a lovely photo of the 'Land-girls' who kept the bellies of the people going, during the war. Despite all the hardships that were going on look at the girls faces all smiling and getting on with it. I really love the philosophy of  'Keep Calm & carry  on', 'Make do & mend' etc Anyway I hope you liked my make do and mend storage tins from old peanut tins from Christmas, I love 'em. You can stuff it full with wooden spoons or other kitchen parafinalia, Just an idea anyway have a play. Love Dawn xx

Post cards for friends

Look at these stunning ladies ;0) There is nothing plain about these women. But these simple Post Cards to me scream elegance. I wanted to send a few PCs to some friends who are just lovely women (we all need to be reminded of this sometimes) The women who received these are just so special in my life. I sent four in all. These are the two I remembered to photograph ;0)

I have put some beautiful Anna Griffin papers as a background to these lovely ladies. I hope they make the receivers smile and feel special, because they are very special to me. Dawn xx

Bookmarks for special ladies.

Hello all. It's dark and wet here in the NW of the UK today. However I would like to say hi guys, not been here in a while, but I do have something to share this time. ;0) These took ages, but I have a new calling in the church I belong to. I won't go into details. However, it's up to me so see that all the women in the church get visited every month. So as I am new, I made every sister in a partnership to do what we call 'Visiting Teaching' one of these book marks as a gift and hopefully as a wee reminder to them as well. ;0)

The vintage women are all from various sources, I thought they would be a lovely reminder of the women in our care. You know I love vintage and shabby and I thought I would try to combine the two styles here. We call our visits 'Visiting Teaching' hence the single letters that spell this out. I ended up making about 34 as there are 17 partnerships that go to visit all the women of our church. I hope you like these. Love Dawn xx

Shabby chic book.

Morning bloggers. I was very busy on this and I am working on something else that's going to take some time to complete, so I hope you won't think bad of me if I am not around much. I was however, please with this very much. It may have taken time, but time well spent I think you will agree. This will be added to the items for sale in my folksy shop I hope you will take time to look HERE.

Here are some close ups of the inside of the book. you can use this for several ideas. As a photo album, to give as a gift to a special some one. Or you can fill the spaces with your thoughts or quotes you like, you can even use this as a base for a personal scrap book, you choose. I have given it a shabby chic/vintage look which is very popular and of course you know I love these types of elements.

Even the back looks good. Imagine this on a coffee table, it just beg's to be picked up and be browsed through, a nice conversational piece to. Now I hope to upload some photos of the kittens soon just 3wks old now, they have their eyes open and they are just lovely balls of fluffy yumminess bless. There is also A challenge I really want to play before Monday, and James is coming for a long weekend from today so I am really trying to push a lot in by the end of the week (fingers crossed) ha ha. And welcome to the new followers Romance of roses, Two crazy crafters & Lisa M Griffin I have made it to over 250 followers (who would of thought) So I will also sort out some small give away soon for this achievement. Love Dawn xx

Altered Post cards

Hello, gosh this post is very late today, I hope your day is going well. I have joined a swap with Trisha from the lovely French kissed. She sent me (and others) some stunning post cards at the end of March for us to alter. The title was 'April in Paris' Now if you visit you know I had to play I love French/Paris anything lol  (please put positive thoughts out there for me to go to Paris ;0) I am sorry but I have forgotten to take a before photo DER! anyway here is what I created with the cards I received.

The PCs were all vintage and black & white. It actually took me some time to actually do anything with them as they were just so beautiful as they were. But then I got to thinking about other vintage cards/photos and how they are colourised. And I thought I would use this as a theme through out. Look at these wonderful landmarks, one day I will see them for real (one day).

I made this lovely fairy from a sheet I bought from Land of nod studios . I thought she looked perfect here under the arch. I used my copics for all the colouring I am really please with the results.

The image is from crafty Individuals, aren't they just so perfect together? And the same done with the postcard back ground with the copics. After they were all finished I painted matt medium on all of them to protect them through the post as Trisha wanted us to sent them through the post just as they were. when she get' them all back she gets to keep some (she gave the post cards out) and then every one else get some back from who ever else joined in. I am looking forward to my swaps I look forward to seeing what others have done, however I am going to miss these post card I hope others will enjoy them.

What a mess!

WOYWW 100 WOW! What does this mean, you ask? Well it means that over at Julia's every one has a nosey at your desk to see what you have been up to. And the pictures above mean it's really time I had a tidy up (click on them to make them larger) ;0) but I love to see messy desks (or what ever your working on) because this shows your actually making something and that I am not the only messy crafter out there ha ha. I have got a wee bit messy lately. It doesn't help when trying to do more that one thing at a time. Any way this little swap is finished and on the way to my dear friend. I will have to take some picks of what she sent me, so yummy.

More of that next time. Now this is a little key ring I made with a vintage lace, photo and some grunge paper. Think I like it. It's really growing on me the more I look at it.

Now you can see the charm, bead & lace more clearly. I was popping all over yesterday to blogs that had left a comment, and what fun it was I love my china you know and I have bought some more recently so I hope to share some more next Tuesday. Thank you for all your lovely comments, I love to read them all. Well I will say I do hope you have a lovely day and hope to see you soon with some more goodies ;0) Love Dawn xx

Compendium of Curiosities #31

Hello, You don't often see me on a Saturday, however, I really wanted to join a couple of challenges one is with a new group I have joined it's called Bella Creations There are many groups within BC you can join but I just had to join the group called Ooh La La And the image used here is the one we were asked to use So I have printed it on to sticky canvass. I am also entering Linda's Rusty Enamel challenge from Tim Holtz CC book Page 49 this week.

Here is a close up of the image and you can quite clearly see the enamel work too! There was some little pieces of sticky canvass left. Although not big enough for an image I used it for the Paris stamp so add as an embellishment. Well nice to be here on a Saturday for a change. see you soon. Love Dawn xx

Baby Vintage (look) box

Hello, Well It's finally finished, and I am happy with it. I tried all sorts before I came to this finished product. My cousin (Helen) had her first child last week A little boy who they have named Leo William. oh and what a beautiful boy he is. They didn't know the sex as they decided to have a surprise. I was going to go all pink if it was a girl, but as he's a boy I really didn't want to do blue it just didn't look right and I wanted a Victorian vintage shabby kind of feel with out it looking tacky (I know) that's why it took months to do!

Here's the outside, this was one of those bare pine boxes I used gesso to cover it all (a couple of coats) then I used Laura Ashley paint 'Creamware' isn't it lovely Added some wonderful brade trim some stamps and clear embossed them. My gold pen to colour the hinges and fastening. On the top I used some vintage lace and a Victorian photo of a baby boy and also edged it with some pearl & ribbon trim to frame the photo, it just looked too bare on it's own.

Finally in side I used some wonderful paper so lovely from Graphic 45 I love the sheets I bought (defo have the strokeability factor ha ha) Know I just need to think what to put in side. ( a voucher for the baby at least) but I wanted to put some baby things in of a vintage nature like an old nappy pin with blue enamel top (for a boy) any other suggestions I am really struggling here HELP! as I really want to get this off in the post by the end of next week. I really hope you like my baby box. Have a lovely Tuesday. Love Dawn xx 

Compendium of Curiosities #30

The weather was wonderful this morning. Blue skies and sun shining, but it didn't last long the wind has picked up and we're looking at lots of rain over the week end. So my shopping is done and I am going to craft so ner ner to you rain ha ha. I am Joining in with Linda and lots of others playing with Tim's book, this is from page 48 so if you would like to play along pop over to Linda's and join in the fun! And as Simon says S&S theme is of Love I thought I would use it for that challenge too.

Here is the close up, I had fun playing with paint & papers and I hope you like it too. This is a late posting today for me but I have been out and couldn't get to the computer this morning. I have been looking through some charity shops and got a great 'Jam pot' this is obviously donkey's years old but they are the best I think ;0) and also some bit's of leather some odd buttons (crafting is always on my mind) and the most stunning hammered pewter spoon. What have you found of late? Love Dawn xx

Birthday Cards.

How have you been my bloggy pal's? I hope I find you well to day and that you have had some fun crafting (or you will very soon). I have joined a wonderful swap for tea cups & saucers, this is where I will send a person one of my TC&S to a fellow swaper. If you like teacups like I do there is still time, to join in the fun, there is a link on the right hand side but hurry as we all have to have them sent off by the end of January so we have new gifts in time for Valentines.

I have two birthdays this week, both are on Sunday unusually, (friends from church) This is for Barbara I stamped this beautiful image on photo glossy paper, these stamps from the stampsmith are even better on glossy paper than on card stock although very nice on either.

Here's a close up, I also put some of that glass glitter that looks so vintage. There is also some vintage lace I have had ages it just fits so perfectly with the colours I thought. I put some stamped images and ribbon on the inside.

This card is for Pat. Different image (Oxford Impressions) but stamped on linen card stock I love the added texture here there is also another smaller male image on the inside.

Here is the Close up I love the added tag (from Papermania) I think I have had this tag for at least 2yrs ;0) every thing fits when it fits don't throw anything away lol. The remember scallop comes out (how cute) I have written a little message on her for her. I hope they like their cards, I really enjoyed making them. Have a wonderful day Love Dawn xx.

Vintage tag

So how did the weekend go? How cold was it? heating is on full pelt again. :-[  I have been prepping some things for altering, I hope to finish at least one of those this week. The cross stitch is coming on slowly. I can only spare an hour or so a day on it and I am not fast. er what else, oh yes I am going to make a start on a journal, just a small one (as I have never done one before) but  hope to get cracking on that too. Yes lots to get on with. And finally on to this tag.

I love this stamp from Oxford Impressions. Isn't she just darling? So I really made it vintage looking with my DIs and lace. The DP was from my friend Petra (sweet girl) and I just thought how perfect it was for this image. Nice to have a little colour isn't it  (thanks hun xx) and the ribbon is a perfect match. So do tell, what have you been up to? If you leave a comment I can pop round to your blog as well to see what you have been up to. Thank you again to all who comment they really are lovely comments. Love Dawn xx

GSC visiting Artist. Nov 4

I feel dreadful! I hope you have all been well. But sadly I haven't done any crafting at all for almost a week (how poorly am I?) any how I am feeling a wee bit better but not quick enough to make something for GSC How bad do I feel? Very guilty. I always do my very best to the places I am committed DT GDT etc because 

1. It's an honor to be asked
2. I wouldn't commit to more than I can create (I can tell you it's very hard to say no when your asked)
3. My projects represent me!

So you see, I really take my commitments seriously. I would hate to get a reputation for being unreliable. Oh the shame of it. I always do my best (nothing less will do) and I hate, to be late although sometimes it can't be helped. Why am I going on so much? well I have had to miss my last entry as GSC as I was unwell. However, I have offered this as a substitute as it goes really well with the theme this week. They may decide not to use it as I haven't created it specifically for them. Any way, the whole month with the Gingers this time was about fashion/stitching and the final one for this month is 'Vintage Hues' Do go along and have a look at all the other DT for inspiration I know you will always find some there. A big thank you to Ali Manning who helped me so much even with a late entry at being a Visiting Artist at the wonderful Gingersnap Creations. My love to you all I had a fab time. Love Dawn xx

SCD Theme Month 'Wings'

I am posting on Saturday instead of Friday as I have been having difficulty with my computer so I am sorry I have  not visited, although I have caught up on visits for SCD.  And this weeks theme is Wings so create anything you like, as long as there are wings on the project that's fine. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with this week. Some of you have already finished It's great to stop by your blogs and see all your creativity.

Here is a close up of this weeks project. I do hope you like it. Every time I see little babies I just think of angels from Heaven. All babies are beautiful little miracles from God. Well,  I was thinking of gifts to make for Christmas actually and then while messing around with wings this is what I came up with. After finishing though I thought how lovey a gift it would be to send out  for a New Baby, baby broaches/necklaces for first time mothers or how about a small photo of the whole family. I just love the possibilities with this and of course if you are more apt at jewellery making you can add all sorts of extras. Let me know if you have a play with this idea. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Wings, Maya Road. Image, Crafty Individuals. Ribbon, Stampin Up! Fragments & Distress inks Tim Holtz. DP scraps.

Thoughtful Woman

Hello I can't believe the time already, Loving my new DT work it's all so exciting but I can't show you anything just yet (sorry) lol  But the rest of the DT have something wonderful to share with you throughout October! The theme is 'enchanted' and they are already appearing on The Altered Element Blog I am stunned by their talent honestly and I am pleased to be associating with these talented women. 

Now on to this thoughtful woman ;0) I love these stamps so very much. I am entering this tag in for two challenges (she deserves a showing lol) the first is Wednesday Stamper who's theme is 'Faces' You can create anything you like but you must use a rubber stamp and also Tag Tuesday who's theme is 'Moon'

And here is her Close Up. I hope you can see how I have created this tag. First some quality card stock, then the stamped image, I have also stamped the image on some patterned paper and then cut out her Lacey sleeves and added them, I also added some actual lace to the neck area and inked this up to look vintage. That's it really. I hope you like this tag and I will be back tomorrow with another wonderful challenge from the SCD team hope you can join in. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Stamps, Oxfors impressions. DP paers, Kaisercraft. Lace stash and DI Tim Holtz

SCD Arches 'Lace'

This is a special day for me in the SCD DT stakes lol, It's September which makes it a NEW month and this month we are having 'Arches' and I get first pick which is 'Lace'. I know you all have some bits 'n' bobs of lace hanging around. I have used three different types on mine but as long as there is some lace on your arch that's all we ask, so you are free to do any thing you like, isn't that cool? You simply have to go to the Something Completely Different blog there are some fantastic DT arches all to inspire you to play. And with out you we would be playing on our own and that's not half as much fun.

Here's my obligatory close up ;0). I have really enjoyed making this. I love vintage style and lace. I had been thinking about the armed forces and the many letters our boys & girls receive. At the moment our church are all getting little packs together to send to the armed forces and this got me to thinking about all those mum's, dad's, wives, husbands, etc waiting for the next letter or watching the news it must be so difficult. So my particular love to all of you who are in this situation at this time. And with this in mind I have named this arch 'Armed Forces Air Mail'

So how was this made? I took a standard size tag and rounded the top (loosing the hole at the top). I then added some DP and some DIs then stamped some script and butterfly's. I added a strip of lace from top to bottom distressing with ink then I added this beautiful image, to which I added some glass glitter very vintage looking. (oh a little tip for you if you buy the clear glass glitter you can take small amounts and colour to your taste thus ensuring it matches with the inks you are using) I am sure you know this but that's my little tip ;0). Next add more lace to the bottom and top of the arch, yet more glass glitter and then some sweet pearls to finish. Oh and another stamp across the image at the top. I do hope you get to join in with the DT team over at SCD we would love to see what you come up with, Oh and I thought I would put this is a new challenge blog (well new to me ;0) I have found it's called Lot's to do, they are looking for insects or butterfly's and both of them are included in my back ground, I have both butterfly's & bees. I do hope you have a great week end. Love Dawn xx

Items Used:- Stamps, Script SU. and all others Prima. Design Papers (DPs) & Distress Inks (DIs) Tim Holtz. Image, Crafty Individuals. Glass glitter, Deco Ice. Pearls, Papermania. Lace, stash.

Swap!

My Friend Lynn and I have been having fun making things for one another again :0) we had a theme this time and several things we had to include so the theme was 'Vintage Sea Side' and the three additions were a) something to do with the sea. b) Fabric c) the colour green so this is the criteria they had to fill but it could of been any thing! Lynn made this stunning matchbox I love the netting and the mother of pear bits caught in it, the images are amazing.

The back is just as beautiful as the front! and look at the goodies I got! a mini canvas (how cute!) and the little bottles filed with sequins and beads. I really like the paper she has rolled and added wire and beads to (so time consuming) and you will be seeing them in the next week or so I have used them already but can't show you just yet! So a big thank you to my Buddie Lynn your such a talented artist and  am so glad we're friends.

And here is my swap! This little wooden box is just gorgeous honest it smelt of age I fell in love with it although it had lost it's fasteners along the way. So I altered it to fit our swap. I painted using some paint them put some traditional Tan from studio as a top coat I printed a picture off the Internet and aged it then added it to the box and added a layer of crackle paint  wanted to add this to Linda's tim holtz Monday compendium but I hadn't posted it off and  couldn't show you all until she had seen it. After that some lace was added and inked.

Here's a close up of the bathing beauty!

And this is what I put in side. You may recognise a post card as I made this and showed it in a previous post. I collected some shells and put pebbles in a bottle some vintage stamps, botttle caps and some trim and a cake fork who knows what Lynn will make with all these. I have stamped some shells and used glimmer mist and stickles to decorate the inside lid of the box along with some sequins (thanks Lynn) that I thought finished t off beautifully. I really enjoy my swaps with Lynne and I suggest you give it a go as well if you don't already it's a way of making those internet friends more real and life like and I wouldn't want to swap any of the friends I have made here in blog land your all just the most lovely supportive and happy bunch. Love Dawn xx