Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2cu) - 4th /5th week of our Decades/Era Challenge. Twist 2. 3 or more layers

Little girls seems to have been my main theme for these 1950's projects.  These two little drawings were on a creamy background in with my selection of papers for the 1950's so I put them in that decade.  I have used a lovely piece of green background that looked a little distressed which adds so much to it.  I used a Crafts-Too embossing folder for the piece and then used gold mirri card for all the matting.  The die cut swirls are from the same gold card.  The parchment flowers are of my making with large pearl centres from stash.  I printed a green and a yellow background from a craft CD straight to parchment and then made the flowers, embossing dots on  a couple of the layers using a grid.  Lots of Rhinestone Sticker Dots from Crafts-Too were used again on the swirls.  They are a perfect size for all my projects this month.I still have plenty left that I am using on other projects.

I hope you are enjoying the first month of our challenge.  I can't wait to see who wins the huge selection of goodies at the end of the month.  I see that even more has been added.

I have enjoyed the making of these first projects and as I know what is coming I can assure you that you will enjoy next month's challenge just as much.

I look forward to visiting your blogs on my rounds.

Carol xx
C2cu DT

The IT whizz

It was my second son's birthday yesterday and this is the La Pashe card I made for him.  Very appropriate for him as he is a computer whizz.  He built my new computer from scratch and looks after all my IT needs.  He says that it isn't accurate enough as he is usually using at least 3 screens all at once - and I think the lad looks a mite younger than him.
But it raised a smile and so did the contents.

Yet another Christmas card

I have combined parchment, stitching, beading and die cutting - all in the one card.  The Christmas tree pattern is a new one from here. I edged a piece of parchment paper using a scallop tool and a star tool and then stitched the parchment to the white backing sheet using red glass beads. The stitching pattern was pricked and stitched through both layers which were then matted with red and green card.  I used a Marianne Creatables Holly sprig die for the embellishments together with red pearls.

CD Sunday - Dreams and Dragons

Good Morning.    I had a great week away in the wilds of Northumberland. It is a jolly long way to go but I did have such a great time.  We were either crafting, talking about crafting or visiting craft stores.  What a great way for a crafter to spend a week.  Apart from being with my friend the extra icing on the cake was that she arranged for me to meet Jak Heath of La Pashe at Imag-e-nation. I am a great fan of all things La Pashe and I was also lucky enough to meet the artist Jim Harker  and have a long chat with him about his art and how he started.  If you read this Jak and Jim - thank you for taking the time out to say hello.

Sue-T has chosen our theme this week and although the DT seem to have sourced some similar images I am sure that we will have some very different ones from our challengers.

I have used JS - Enchanted  Dreams CD for the image and the background card, gold mirri card for the mat and the die cut bow and sentiment tag.  The mask charm was a silver one which I have coloured with a pen.

Carol x

Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2CU) 3rd week of our Decades/Era. This time Twist 2 - 3 Layers

Good morning and welcome to the third week of our July Challenge.  This time we are asking you to use  3 layers.
Here is my contribution

Very 1950's style dresses on this piece of backing paper and I loved the colouring.  (seem to be liking red at the moment).
The  stamped lady in the pinafore dress came from the Marianne Clear Stamp set - Fabulous 50's.  Again I used flat water colour paper and diluted Distress Markers.  I chose the colours to match both the papers used - the background and the die cut piece, both from Crafts-Too.  All the papers we have used have been gorgeous to work with as they all have a good substance and finish.   The Rhinestone Sticker Dots are from Crafts-Too and the rest from stash.

I look forward to visiting your Blogs.  I am now back on duty after my week away.  Trust me to choose the hottest week for ages and the hottest day for my drive home on the M1.  But I did so enjoy my visit with my crafting friend and her husband. Wonderful time.

Please don't forget to use the full title of the Challenge Blog - 'Crafts-Too Challenge You'  in your posting and to tell us which Decade/Era you have chosen to represent with your work/project.

Carol x

Good Morning from what I hope will be a sunny North.  I am up here staying with a wonderful crafting friend.  My visit had been put off and put off whilst all the drama re my arm went on and on and I suddenly decided that if I didn't make it before the op I wouldn't be here until next year - so here I am.

Our theme this week has been chosen by our Wendy and it was chosen, I believe, to kick start us all in to making some Christmas cards.  Well Wendy you have succeeded and I have now made at least two.  Just joshing - in fact I have managed about 20.

I did enjoy making this and the image comes from 'Festive Funnies' by Ooh La La Creations.
It is a pyramage - a real one - although it looks like a digital one in the photo.  I added the silver charm fish and some pretty spotty ribbon - just to add the feel of bubbles.
I will catch up with you all later in the week and in the meantime have fun.  You never know it may start you off on the Christmas cards.
Carol
xx

Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2cu) 2nd week of our Decades/Era - Twist 1 - Anything Goes

Good Morning
This is a scheduled post this week I am afraid as I am actually managing to have a short holiday. I will catch up my visits and commenting when I get back.
To be a part of this new venture is very exciting for all of us on the team and I thought there were some great cards last week by my fellow teamies and I am sure there will be this week as well.  So please visit their blogs and get some ideas and join in with us .

I must confess that when I was first asked to join the team and received all my goodies to use it took a while for the brain to stop whirling.  I had ideas - certainly for last week -  but when it came to the second project my mojo just got up and left.  I was a bit panicky but did what I always do when that happens - make some ATC's.  It hasn't failed me yet - so here they are.

Just three - called '1950's Little Misses.
The little girls come from the Marianne Clear Stamps set - Fabulous 50's.  I stamped them on flat watercolour paper and painted with diluted Distress Markers.  All the beautiful background papers, the spotty tape, Rhinestone sticker dots and blue buttons are from Crafts-Too.  Little bits of ribbon and lace are from stash.
My mojo duly returned for the next challenges (at least I hope you think it did) and I look forward to showing you those in due course.
I hope to see you on my visits.  Happy crafting.
Carol x

CD Sunday - Hats

Good Morning.  Thank you for your entries into our 'Dance' challenge and I will be giving Jenny my Top 3 choice as soon as possible -  and I have a little something for the winner.

This week we are delighted to say that  we are being sponsored by Sarah Andrews of Jem's Designs. Sarah very kindly sent us all the Hat Box Confections CD so that we could all choose which delicious hat we wished to use.

Here is mine and I chose the Pyramage option in the folder.  A very pretty and clever design as it actually looks embossed as well as raised.

I have only added a piece of mirri card, a ribbon and two hat pins (and of course the hundreds of sticky pads out of sight).

This month we are delighted to say that Tess is joining us as our Guest Designer.  Tess was on the CD Sunday DT when I first joined and she has been missed by us all.  Welcome Tess.

I hope you can join in with us and our Hats and Sarah is very kindly donating  a Jem's Design CD to the lucky winner. Good luck everyone.

My next couple of posts will be scheduled I am afraid but I will catch up with you all when I can. Please accept my apologies in advance for my not visiting your Blogs.
Carol
x

Crafts-Too Challenge You - Decades/An Era

The Crafts-Too Challenge You Blog is now well and truly launched and today we are posting our 1st Design Team cards and inviting all to enter into our challenges.  Just click on Crafts-Too and you will be taken straight to the Blog where you will find all the challenge details.

I have chosen the 1950's for my decade theme and for our first challenge - 'Anything Goes' here is my card - a party invitation:

In amongst the lovely backing papers I received I found this  piece depicting these little girls in what could only be described as party frocks.  It took me back in time remembering the lovely dresses that my Mother used to make for me.  As we entered the 1950's I was 7.
The paper was landscape so I cut off the right hand border and turned it round to make it portrait and hid the join under ribbon and buttons.  The size is A5 giving plenty of room for a party invitation to be slipped inside.
Please don't forget there is still a chance to win  the  Give-Away prize.  Add your name to the linky here  and post the photo with a link back to this blog on your side bar. It is not an expectation that you have to become a Follower to participate but we would love it if you do.

So please come and join us and support our exciting new venture and be in with a chance of winning the monthly prize.
Carol x

CD Sunday- Dance

A lovely warm day here as I write this and I hope it is the same for everyone.
Thank you all for your entries to our challenge last week.  Beryl gave you a wide field with 'S' and I hope I have done the same this week with my choice of 'Dance'. There are so many dances to choose from so I am looking forward to seeing many varied dance steps from which to choose my Top 3.  Of course I will have a little something for the winner.

I have chosen a La Pashe CD  - 'Wrinklies' as the source for my DT contribution. Here it is:

This graceful and elderly couple are dancing the Silver Foxtrot. They look as though they still have eyes only for each other.
Sadly it is Wynn's last week with us as our Guest Designer and her last card is as fabulous as all the others.  Thank you Wynn for your contribution to our challenges.
I look forward to visiting your Blogs.  If you care to leave a message during your visit here I would be delighted.
Carol
x

Bristol Parchment Exhibition

Well I got there and back safely this time but must confess to being tired.  This trip was the furthest I have driven in a year - but I did it.

The Exhibition was wonderful.  After I  had a long wander around  all the stands and gawped at the incredibly beautiful work on show I came to the conclusion that I don't do parchment - I just play at it.  I am not too despondent about that fact as I know I started learning late in life and I really do enjoy the parchment work that I produce - good or bad.

I had a great time with my tutor Marilyn on her stand and met many lovely people.  Not all of the questions we were asked were expected.  Many of the ones I received were about the source of the case that I use to keep my tools in and from where did I get the sparkly vellum I was using for my Christmas flowers.  I was making sparkly flowers and poinsettias - all in parchment for use as card embellishments.  I sold quite a few and was very pleased. 

On the Sunday evening I joined a whole crowd of the Exhibitors at supper (59 of us).  It was a very pleasant evening.

On Monday Marilyn and I joined many others at Linda Williams' workshop.  A rare privilege for me and I did worry that I was 'punching above my weight' parchment wise.  This is what I have managed to do so far - about 25% of the finished project.

This has been scanned in front of a piece of glitter card just so it can be seen.  It will have a background card when it is all finished.  There is so much more work to be done on the hair and the bow in the hair - let alone the rest of the card.  You can just see the little piece of tape that is behind the face holding a white paper mask to show the colouring.  It may need more yet.

CD Sunday - 'S' is for...............

Good Morning.  This is a scheduled post this week because if all is right with the world (and especially my little bit of it) I should be down in Bristol getting ready for the Bristol Parchment Exhibition.  Followers of my Blog will remember that it was whilst loading my car for the journey down for this Show last year that I fell and broke my arm.
Enough of that.  My card for this theme is a little tongue in cheek and I would like to present to you....


My 'Stitched Stallion'...

Hasn't he the most fabulous waistline?  Just like his creator.  And those teeth!!   I am so enjoying this series of patterns. Two more to go - the cow and the pig.   I will have to work them into a future theme somehow.
The CD part of my easel card is the background again.  I used the same CD as before when I did the Rooster - Ooh La La's  'Carnival of Colour'.

I will catch up with Blog land in a couple of days.  Hope you all have a great weekend.
Carol x

Crafts-Too Challenge - a new Blog in Town

A new Blog sponsored by Crafts-Too has been launched and to celebrate the launch they are offering a great 'Give Away'.  The details are in my side bar - just click and you will be taken straight there.

I am especially excited about this as I have been honored by being asked to be one of the Design Team.  I can't tell you how excited I was and really 'made up' when I got the phone call.

The first challenge will commence on the 1st Friday in July and all the details will be posted then but in the meantime why not visit and sign up and be in with a chance of winning the 'Give Away.'

Carol
x

I have some more to add to this posting and here it is - from the Sponsor - Crafts-Too

Thank You

Wow what an amazing start to this new challenge blog, you have already made us feel so welcome and so many of you have become followers and linked to the Give-away. Thank you so much.

To celebrate having 50+ followers in such a short time we are adding some more bits to the Give-Away prize.

Ornate corner embossing stencil by Marianne Designs

Embroidery template by Marianne Designs

Alphabet embossing stencil by Marianne designs

2 packs of Joy Crafts decorative gems and jewels

Another 50 and we will add some more.

CD Sunday - Kimono

Good Morning.  Not quite such a fine weekend with  some high winds and squally showers. Tis best to stay inside and craft.
This week's theme has been chosen by Cazro who happily is back with us after her little break.  Our Guest Designer Wynn has produced another of her fabulous cards.  In fact all the team have made some beauties and they are all different. 
I don't know why but I didn't find this one easy and in the end used a couple of CD's - both from Joanna Sheen - Tales of the Orient CD2 and Elegant Fans.
Here it is:

I added a couple of die cut sprigs of leaves in copper mirri card -  trying to tone in with the maple leaves in the background.  No sentiment added so that I can put it in the 'Here's one I made earlier' box.
We had some lovely and varied Plumage last week for Jocelyn to study and choose a winner from.  Not going to be easy.
 
Not good news on the shoulder front.  I am now  booked in to have a 'reverse shoulder' replacement in August.  There is nothing else they can do. Of course there is always the option of doing nothing but I am fed up now and would like to get rid of the pain.

Anyway that is on the back burner til August and in the meantime there is crafting to be done and Blogs to visit so I will see you later.
Carol
x

Distress Markers used as watercolours

The beautiful hat is a digi image on the La Pashe 'Just Inklined 2012 CD'.  My printing this out in a certain way was an experiment and as it was successful I thought I would pass on the tip.
When I attended the Jane Gill painting flowers workshop we stamped the flower images and then heat embossed with clear powder before we went on to paint.  This was a technique to give a clear outline and help keep the colours in the place in which they were put.  It worked very well and we had some lovely stamps to use.  But say you haven't got many stamps to choose from but want to try the technique.
When looking  at all the wonderful digi images on all the La Pashe CD's I wondered how I could use them in the same way so I tried .....and it worked.

I used smooth surface water colour paper (90lbs Cold Pressed/Not Grain Fine) and trimmed it down to A4 size.  The pad is actually 12 x 9 inches.
I put this into the printer and printed out my choice of digi image and IMMEDIATELY it came out of the printer I covered the image in clear embossing powder.  Once then heated as usual it worked perfectly.  I then carried on and used the Distress Markers in the same way I would water colour paints and here is the result.

The smooth surfaced paper is essential to achieve a smooth printed line whether doing it this way or with a stamp.

CD Sunday - Fine Plumage

Good morning on such a fine sunny Sunday.
Very suitable weather for our theme this week - 'Fine Plumage' - chosen by Jocelyn.  My fellow teamies have made some beautiful cards so please try and visit them to have a  look.
I am afraid I have another stitched creation for you.  I have been dying to use another of that set of 6 farmyard animal patterns I purchased from Stitching cards.  You have seen the sheep and the goat and here now is the Rooster:

What fine plumes he has and so colourful.  I just love these patterns..  This time I made an easel card and for the easel and the  'stopper'  I went to the Carnival of Colour CD from Ooh La La and found what I wanted in the 'Henpecked' folder.

I am looking forward to seeing who has won the Ooh La La Cd of their choice when the random draw is done for last weeks challenge. All the entries were so good.

On a personal note it looks to be almost certain that I am going to have to have a partial shoulder replacement - hopefully in August if it can be arranged.

I look forward as always to a weeks blog hopping.  See you there and then.
Carol
x

Stitch and decoupage Christmas card

A lovely friend of mine is in the habit of finding new websites for me that I might not have seen and it usually costs me money.  This new site - The Printable Card Shop is just such a place.
 I fell in love with all the new to me stitching patterns and in the end purchased 10.  This card I have made, in the Continental style of stitching and decoupage, is the first I have done.  I chose the most time consuming one to start with and it did take most of yesterday.
I must admit to liking the result very much and I hope you do too.

The thread I used was  Gutermann Sulky  CA 02776 and is a multi coloured metallic thread.  The sentiment die is a Britannia one from Joanna Sheen.

'E' is for...............

a friend of mine who has a birthday this month.  I am obviously in a stitching mood and found this very pretty alphabet letter on the Pinbroidery site.  In fact I purchased all the letters as they are lovely to stitch and they do look good when finished.

I decided that I didn't want  a plain white background for the stitching so I scanned a piece of backing paper from a CD that I found in my box and printed it out on to 300gsm pearlised card,  which is my preferred medium for stitching.  I liked the soft pink hue that resulted and I felt it wouldn't overpower the colour of the stitches.  I added a chiffon bow and matching half pearls.  I think the backing paper came from Jane Shasky's CD

I enjoyed sitting stitching this whilst listening to a story CD last night. I have had the steroid injection into my shoulder and I am trying to take it easy and convince myself that it is working or will work.  Not very convinced yet.
Carol  xx

CD Sunday - Faithful Friends

Good Morning.  A new month and  we are thrilled that we are being sponsored again by some old friends - Ooh La La.     I am particularly pleased - as a past DT member - to be using their new CD - Faithful Friends.  The team were all offered a folder from this CD to use for our card.  I asked for one that I could use on parchment  (has lots of white in the picture) and this is what I made with the lovely image I was sent

I have since bought the CD  - of course  -  and can tell you that the faithful friend is a Bearded Collie.
I printed the image direct to parchment and then embossed his coat and other  highlights.  The parchment border was done as a separate sheet to slip over the image which was then stitched in the corners with tiny glass beads.  The bow - believe it or not - is a paper bow from the Borders/Embellishments folder on the CD. I used a bright purple card as the liner and it is showing through the parchment as a very soft lilac.

CD Sunday are welcoming Wynn as our Guest Design Team member for this month.  I know you are going to enjoy her creations. Welcome Wynn.

Please join in with the challenge.  All the details of the prize on offer are on the CD Sunday Challenge Blog.

Carol x

Inspired by Nature - Ooh La La Challenge #131

Today I decided that I would enter the Ooh La La Challenge -' Inspired by Nature'.
I needed something gentle to sit and do so I was inspired to do some stitching.  I chose a William Morris design of tulips which I obtained from Pinbroidery.  It may have been gentle to do but it was frustrating .  The patterns always seem to be printed very clearly but sometimes they just don't seem to work and a lot of undoing and consequential mutterings happen.
Here it is:

I used the largest die from the Xcut set of Rectangle Parenthesis 1 for the stitching base. The beautiful backing paper is from Cupcakecrafting 'The Premium Collection' CD6  ( a recent rediscovery)  and the mirror card tulips were cut using a Memory Box die - 'Dancing Tulips'.
I did enjoy the stitching -  and also choosing the colour palette.

Carol xx

Stamping with Woodware - again

When I attended the Woodware stamping workshop at The Art of Craft (when I made 3 flower cards) I purchased a Woodware stamp designed by Jane Gill - who was our tutor on that day.
I stamped the image onto card and traced it on parchment using a sepia pen and then did a little pricking and embossing.  Jane told me that she designed it whilst on a barge holiday.  Something she saw must have given her an idea.  It is a beautiful stamp - nice bold clear lines which I love and it will stand on it's own or with colour or with parchment as I have done.
The black mat was a sudden inspiration - I think it works.
Carol x

CD Sunday - Aged to Perfection

I have chosen the Brighton run from La Pashe for my card this week. I have actually done the Commercial Vehicle Brighton Run and it was very exciting.  At the time my eldest son was helping to keep an old Denis Fire Engine on the road and was  part of a team taking it to shows and fetes.  We had a wonderful day  Here is the very same Fire Engine before we set off.

Back to my card from La Pashe

I live in the right area to have maps of Brighton so I have used an old one for the background.  If you look carefully you can just see Brighton under 'Anniversary'.
I love the sense of humour on most of the La Pashe cards... have you seen what the bird is doing!!

I look forward to seeing everyone's idea of 'Aged'.

Carol
x

More Christmas cards from La pashe

Just 96 to go.
xx

Christmas cards

I have decided to start on my Christmas cards really early this year.  I need to make at least 100 and for the last couple of years the most I have managed is about 30....and then a quick trip to buy some from Smith's or somewhere.
I plan lots from La Pashe as the Christmas cards on this disc are brilliant and I do like decoupage and want to get back to doing some.  Some will be die cut - which would justify some of the dies I couldn't resist and the rest perhaps from the Docrafts graphics programme that I invested in.
So here are the first  - from La Pashe - under the 'Remember When' heading:

Sorry - this second one wasn't in the scanner properly.   It is all straight.
Happy Christmas.
Carol
xx

CD Sunday - Go Green

Good Morning, good morning, good morning etc... as Stephen Fry would say on QI.  One of my favourite programmes. Well he says Good Evening etc but that would be a bit silly.
I had a lovely day yesterday at the workshop but now down to business.
Jenny had chosen a theme (in rotation) before her sabbatical and we all wanted to continue with it so here it is.  I chose to recycle and use green.  It is called hedging your bets.

The beautifully made topper was on a  Get Well card that I was sent by a friend who doesn't  make her own cards but always manages to find stunning hand finished cards from somewhere. The gingham background is from that great standby CD by Robert Addams - Printable Ginghams etc. The die for the bow is a new acquisition.  Comes of seeing all these new things I haven't got (well didn't have) when visiting all the Blogs as part of my team duties.

Please leave a note when you visit - if you feel so inclined.  It is always nice to read a message or two.
Carol
x

Stamping with Woodware

I have quite a few Woodware stamps. I love the clean bold lines because I can use them for stamping and tracing in parchment work. Remember the lovely Snowman I did for CD Sunday.
Today I spent a full day at The Art Of Craft attending a workshop run by Jane Gill who designs for Woodware.  We were stamping and water colouring three of her flower designs.   Below are my efforts.  I wasn't over the moon with my painting.  Three full cards is quite a lot to make in 4 hours of the class (we had to eat and drink as well) and I would have liked a little longer.  I rushed through the second one especially and the leaves of the Violets should have had a great deal more shading etc but I just slapped on the paint I am afraid.

Jane is a very good teacher - pity about the pupil.  A lovely fun day though.  Always is at The Art of Craft.
Carol x

CD Sunday - Ornate Blossom

Good morning.  I hope you are having a good weekend.  I am having a great time as my good friends Debs and Mandi are here with me for the weekend.  We have been out this evening to my favourite local Chinese Restaurant and had a wonderful meal and maybe imbibed a little.   I am doing my posting now as I know I won't be up early in the morning.
This weeks theme was Christine's choice and it really does cover a wide field of possibilities.  Here is my card :

For this I used a Kraftyhands CD - The Edwardian Rose Garden.  I have only added some gems and a paper flower from stash.  Everything else is from the CD. I made this with a particular friend in mind and she will have received it by now.
I wish everyone a good week.
Hugs
Carol x

More Workshop Wonders from

Judith Maslens bi- monthly workshop down in the New Forest.
 As we set off in the early hours it was raining and we thought - Oh no!  not a repeat of the awful journeys back in March but the sun came out and the weather was glorious.

Two new patterns again and a full house including some new faces.

Our first pattern was in the ' Seasons '  Series and in typical Judith style this was No: 1 - Spring.  We did 'Summer' back in March?
This was a beautiful white work design of a daffodil with leaves and some other flowers. I felt pleased with my work until the last moments spent on the daffodils trumpet.  Those who do parchment work will know that you are always turning the work over to work on the back and then back again to the front to see what you have done and  compare with the picture that you are working from.  Somehow it is easy then to forget which is left and which is right when you have turned it over.  I felt I needed to emphasise some of the embossing to the left of the flower (looking from the front) and then turned my work over and promptly embossed on the left on the back. Wrong place  of course.  I asked Judith to please help and of course she rescued my daffodil trumpet and showed me how to work on other parts so that my incorrect embossing disappeared into the background. So thank you Judith and my daffodil has a trumpet.

Our afternoon session was spent with a pattern in her series - 'All At Sea' and this is called - 'In the Harbour'

Specifically designed for the man in your life this pattern uses a little white work, tracing with black and sepia pens,  colouring on the back and the front of the design and then a little embossing to add highlights.

Thank you Judith for another great session.  Always fun and instructive.

CD Sunday - Weddings

Good morning.
I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine we have been having.  At least we have had sunshine down here in the South.  The mornings can still be quite cold though.
For this weeks theme I returned to parchment and used a lovely pattern by Judith Maslen.  I was with  Judith yesterday at her May workshop and hope to have some more of her great designs to show you (when I have finished them of course).

This pattern is of the Wedding Coach.  It reminded me of Cinderella's coach after the Fairy Godmother had transformed the pumpkin.

I wanted a particular blue for the background.  A bit like Wedgwood Blue and I found this colour on a Cupcakecrafting CD - Beautiful Botanicals.  I had forgotten that I had this CD and consequently spend a good time rediscovering all the images and found some wonderful backing papers.  I have made a mental note to look again when I next need a background for parchment.

Over at CD Sunday we have a new Guest Designer.  Gloria (Misty's Mum) has joined us and we are delighted to welcome her.  The theme of 'Weddings' is in Gloria's honour  who was married on April 25th

Please leave a message when you visit.  It is always nice to know you have called.
Hugs
Carol x

CD Sunday - Purple Paradise

A couple of ATC's for Wendy's choice of Purple Paradise.  The lingerie comes from one of my favourite CD's - Glitz 'n' Bitz  from Carol Ann's Studios.  They have been decoupaged and just at the time I made them my lovely daughter popped in to see me for Mother's Day with this pretty little  posy of carnations. The colours of the flowers and container could not have been more perfect for the photograph.
Will see you on your Blogs. Please leave me a note when you visit - if you care to.
Carol
xx

My own Thank you

I just wanted to thank everyone for their lovely Birthday Wishes and for the wonderful cards I received. They will be shown off for quite a while and then be put into my treasure box. I had a fabulous evening on the day with my children and their husbands/wives and Grandaughter - and many old friends. A surprise party had been organised by them and it was quite an emotional evening. I then was taken to another little party last night organised by all my parchment buddies including my parchment tutor. Another lovely evening. I have about 40 cards - many many handmade - which have been so admired with ooh's and aah's of admiration from card makers and non card makers alike. So thank you. Carol xx

The ultimate handmade card

I just had to show this. My birthday present last evening from my children was a Kindle Fire HD - which I knew about as I had chosen it but the surprise part was the birthday card. This was made by my son Chris who said that he couldn't make himself go out to buy a card because of all the cards I make so this is what he did: I don't think any further comment by me is needed except to say that of course it will be treasured. I had a wonderful evening - never to be forgotten.

CD Sunday - Majesty

Good Morning.  I am doing a timed posting as I expect to be a little busy tomorrow (today).  The weather is beautiful as I write this.
The theme was chosen in celebration of the Queen's birthday .....and to be honest because it is also my 70th birthday.
As a child I always felt a little closer to our Queen because we shared birthday's and my Mother used to tell me that they fired the gun salute in Hyde Park just for me.  The things you believe when you are young.
As it happens our GD Margaret and I seem to have had the same idea for our cards. Margaret was born in Coronation year so have both felt the same connection.

I used the Best of La Pashe 2012 for all of the card with the addition of some pearls, gems  and patriotic ribbon.  The ribbon came from a cake and was saved knowing - like a true crafter- that it would be useful one day.

A personal thank you to all who entered my Sponsored challenge.  Allison has chosen her prize CD and it has been ordered and will be with me in about 10 days.

I look forward to viewing many many 'Majestic' cards-  and please leave a note when you visit me.  Lovely to know you have called.
Carol
xx

From Brazil

This is the name given to this piece of parchment work designed by Carla Prediger in the May Parchment Magazine.  I have made a few tiny alterations in the pattern to my taste but most is the same as prescribed.

The flowers were drawn as  part of the pattern but the leaf sprays were made using a die which I think has worked well with the parchment.  The pressure of the parchment paper against the foam in the die has produced a feint impression like the surface of a leaf.  I was very pleased with the result.  The whole has been stitched to the card with lilac coloured holographic Gutterman thread in the corner square piercings.

CD Sunday - 'Thank You'

Good Morning.  Hopefully a little drier than it has been over the last couple of days.

Thank you to those who entered  the CD Sunday Challenge that I sponsored last week.  The team and I will enjoy looking at all the cards again and choosing a winner.

The CD Sunday theme this week is 'Thank You' - chosen by fellow teamie Beryl.  A good choice Beryl as we can never have enough of this kind of card in our 'something I made earlier' box.

For my card I used two CD's.  First Docrafts Boofle Collection for the card which is a tag and sentiment enlarged to A5 size. Second CD was Robert Addams  'Printable Gingham etc' which supplied the decoupaged flower.  Just a few gems and a small piece of pink ribbon completed the card.

I have exactly a week now before the '0' birthday and I am getting a little excited.  I think the family have something planned for the day.  I do know that they have bought me a Kindle Fire HD so of course I am looking forward to opening that parcel.

Please leave a message when you call - if you feel so inclined.  It is always lovely to know you have visited.
Carol
x.

CD Sunday - Through the Window

Good morning.  Is it getting warmer?  I keep thinking it is and then it tries to snow again.  Best thing is to stay in and keep crafting.

There is a lot going on for me this month.  I am taking over the posting of the CD Sunday Challenge Blog whilst our Jenny takes a well earned rest.  We have all been trying to persuade her not to leave as such but just watch from the sidelines.  I hope I don't make a mess of it.

We are welcoming a new member to our design team at CD Sunday - Sue from Sue's Crafty Corner.
I have met Sue a few times now and it was because of CD Sunday that we met.  We started to enter the challenges at the same time and realised that we don't live too far away from each other.  One North and one South of the M3.  Good excuse to meet for a coffee.  I am sure you will all join us in welcoming Sue.
I have also met Margaret of Margaret's Designer Cards who is joining us this month as our Guest Designer. Margaret and I met at a coffee table at the Bristol Parchment Show a couple of years ago.
Welcome Margaret and I hope you enjoy your month with us.

This month is also my 70th birthday and CD Sunday has allowed me to be the Sponsor this month and the details are on the Challenge Blog.

Time I got to my card and here it is:

I have used the  Best of La Pashe 2012 CD for all of the card with some bronze linen look mirror card for the mats.

Please enter the challenge and the team is looking forward to choosing the winner.  The winner will be able to choose any CD or CD's to the total value of £15.99.  They must of course be ones currently easy to source and buy.  Whoever wins and chooses just needs to allow a little time for me to  purchase it and send it on.  I am looking forward to visiting lots and lots of Blogs.  Good Luck.
Carol xx

CD Sunday - Sugar and Spice

Happy Easter to one and all.  A few days with family, friends  and chocolate eggs, so I hope you are all having a good rest and that your weather is as least dry even if cold.

As Jenny said in the Challenge posting there are some changes afoot at CD Sunday.  Jenny is going to take a rest. I emphasise the word rest as we are trying to persuade her (and I am unanimous in this)  that it is just a rest she needs and will therefore be back chatting and posting in the not too distant future.  In the meantime I am going to be doing the posting - no fear - just a little trepidation.  Couldn't have a nicer bunch of teamies so I am sure they will come to my rescue when I do things like losing Mr Linky. (my biggest worry at the moment).
I am not going to make a goodbye speech to Jenny but just say that I hope to to keep up her standards and justify everyone's faith and wish Jenny a good rest.

Thank you for the many DT applications and as Jenny said I will be posting our choice later in the week.

It is Marina's last week with us as our Guest and thank you Marina for the great cards and projects you have designed for us.

Now to this weeks theme - Sugar and Spice -  chosen by Jocelyn.  As I said last week my card for this theme is a little different.  Different certainly, as I discovered, to my fellow teamies cards.

This is my second card made  for this theme.  Both are stitch cards but I felt the first one was a bit tame and didn't really hit the Spice of Sugar and Spice.  So I went back to Stitching Cards and found a series of patterns that are actually called Sugar and Spice. The tights were ........ difficult to stitch and took three attempts  but she certainly will spice up a gentleman's birthday.  The backing card is from Carol Ann's Studio 'Glitz 'n' Bitz' CD. The mirror card I used for the mat, words and the corner die cuts is some new I bought from C & C and cuts beautifully with dies. Seems to be a perfect weight for both.
I look forward to visiting your Blogs and please visit my fellow teamies Blogs.  They have all made great cards.

CD Sunday - Bundle of Joy

Good morning from a snowy Surrey.  Well they promised snow and it did come.  I am just hoping my Sainsbury's delivery makes it or I shall be peckish.
Our Sue has chosen this weeks theme.  I don't think that we have had a baby theme before and the team and our Guest Designer Marina have produced some beautiful cards.  I know you will like them so please visit their blogs.

My contribution  is in parchment again and  another Judith Maslen pattern.  I have said before how much I like her patterns and admire her artistic skills.  If you are designing for parchment it can't be all higgledy- piggledy or sketchy in design so somehow the essence of the subject has to be done in careful simple lines.
This is my card:

I have used lemon, pink and blue in the colouring and, in the background, which is from - Docraft 'Me to You' Spring Chic CD2 .
I enjoyed making this one with the clean and simple lines.  It was good practice in creating longish and  smooth lines in as few sweeps as possible.
My next few creations for Cd Sunday are not parchment and next weeks is ......a little different!
Please feel free to leave a comment.  I love knowing you have visited.
Carol
x

Imogene - pattern by Judith Maslen

This was made for a dear friend whose birthday it is today so it has now been opened.  I chose this pattern as it reminded me of her - nice and slim and similar hairstyle.

The pattern is part of a set of four ladies designed by Judith and on sale here.  I have now completed two of the designs and done the prep work on the remainder.

I am flattered to see that I have some new followers - so welcome and thank you and I hope not to disappoint.

Parchment Workshop in the New Forest

It was down to the woods yesterday to the first workshop of the year at Judith's place. It was so wet going and returning that I think an Ark would have been a more appropriate form of transport.  The sun actually shone whilst we were working but Oh Boy did it rain when we left.  Many of the fields and ditches were flooded.

Despite this we had a wonderful day - as always  - and we had two new patterns to work on.
The first one - Snowy Owl - was a design Judith did in answer to a request by me. We are quite often asked to suggest something we would like so this was my 'like'.  When I stay up in Northumberland with a friend of mine I stay at an Inn called 'The Snowy Owl'.  A lovely place with very welcoming hosts and they have many pictures of Snowy Owls on the wall but not a parchment one - yet.
Here is my effort

The second pattern is one of a new series of  'Seasons'.  This one is 'Summer'.

This was an exercise in embossing in a different way - using definite strokes rather than smooth blending.  Then we used the dry pencil technique of colouring on back and front.

Loved every minute of my day.  Thank you Judith, and my friend Charmaine for the heroic driving in the Monsoon.
xx

CD Sunday - Wonderful Wings (Pegasus)

Good Morning everyone.  Well!  I chose a tough theme last week but gosh what a super response from you all. Thank you all for those wonderful creations and for not leaving me with egg on my face.  I will study them all very carefully and then let Jenny know my Top 3.
Tis Friday evening and I am doing a timed post as on Saturday I am off down to the New Forest to the 1st of the year parchment workshops with Judith Maslen. A friend is kindly taking me as I am still not sure about driving any further than locally.  I am now doing physio and of course that stirs it all up.

On to our theme this week - chosen by Jenny.  I chose to do  a parchment project this time and here it is

Pegasus is a copyright free clip art I found in Google images and I have the artists permission to use it. I printed the image on 140gsm  parchment and then placed it carefully inside an oval patterned Multi  grid to  emboss the borders.  I then embossed the mane and tail and two of the legs and some of the wing segments.  The rest I embossed or pricked with a grid pattern.  The sentiment was traced from a Microsoft Word font and the whole then stitched to  the backing card with glass beads and then  a little sprinkle of Glamour Dust was added to finish.
The background is blue crackle from an Ooh La La CD.

Postscript:  We had a wonderful Workshop - as always - but the weather was horrendous.  I am so grateful to my friend Charmaine for doing the driving.  In some places you couldn't see your hand in front of your face for the rain. It was nice to meet Jacqui at long last.  Her first time working on embossing was awesome.

I hope you find this theme much easier and  look forward to visiting many Blogs.  Please drop me a line when you visit.  It is always nice to know you have called.
Carol
x

Ooh La La Challenge # 125 - Four Legged Friends

I am not sure if you could call a goat a four legged friend especially with a pair of horns like those but he does look friendly with the flower in his mouth and that slightly bemused expression on his face. This is another from the pack  of  farm animal stitch  patterns I purchased from here. I used the sheep in a recent CD Sunday theme.

I used Ooh La La Creation's  CD - A Carnival of Colour for two backing papers.  The deep copper brown was printed direct to A4 card and folded to A5.  The very unusual butterfly paper was printed twice - to card for a mat and then to  paper so that I could cut out some of the butterflies to 3D. These paper come from the Bonus Papers folder and like all Ooh La La CD's contain many lovely and unusual papers and patterns.


I hope you like the stitching.  I think next to parchment it is my favourite medium.
x

CD Sunday - Land of the Pharaohs

Second week of March and more sunshine than showers at last.  I am enjoying the milder weather now that I am able to drive out and about again.  I have had to accept some movement restrictions  as a consequence of my accident but I think my own Annus Horribilus is over.
Thank you for all the super entries in our Butterfly challenge last week.  This week the choice is mine - Land of the Pharaohs. I love all things Egyptian.  Have visited Egypt once and would love to go again but probably won't make it.
Here is my card

I have used a  Robert Addams CD - Ancient Egypt - for all of the card.  The card was printed using one of the backing papers and the matching topper was printed on parchment and embossed in appropriate places.  The sentiment says 'Happy Birthday' and I used the interactive heiroglyphic feature.
The top right and bottom left figures have been decoupaged and bronze mirri card used for the mat.
We have some wonderful cards from my fellow teamies on the Challenge Blog so please go and visit them and then we hope that you will join in with your own wonderful interpretations.
I have a little gift ready for the winner of my top three.
x

CD Sunday - Butterflies

Good morning .  It certainly has been a little warmer although I hear we are  promised another cold snap.  But to cheer us up we are asking for many many Butterflies from you all this week.

Caroline of Carolines Creative Stamps is making a welcome return as our Sponsor this month and is offering  Digikits or rubber stamps to the value of £10 to the winner to be drawn at random.  We hope you will join in with us for this theme.

Caroline kindly emailed each teamie  a file to use and this is what I have done with the one I received:

I tweaked the colour a little in MCS and did the simple matting and then printed it out to use on a 6 x 6 white card.
The central butterfly is 3D with a layer of good paper and then some parchment.  The stamens as antennae were fixed between the two layers and then gems added for the body.  Matching gems were added to the centre of the buttons.
I haven't added a sentiment so that I can use it for almost any occasion.  I love the soft colours - almost misty.
Please join in with us and good luck in the draw.

(I am healing well and off to see the surgeon for my check up on Monday.  Hopefully to have the staples out.)