Crafts-Too Challenge You(C2cu)- Challenge #3 -Texture- Twist 2 - add something shiny or glittery

Time for a change for Twist 2.  Texture is still the theme but now to add something shiny or glittery.  Time to go really mad with the bling!!.

For my DT card  I have used a Crafts-Too embossing folder with more shimmer sheet.  This has a shiny glittery look.  I have  stitched a butterfly with holographic thread with crystal and gold glass beads. Wrapped the topper with  gauze and ric rac  ribbon and added crystal gems.  Mat of gold mirri card on shiny pearl lilac card.

Here it is:

I hope you like it.

Happy blinging.
Carol xx
C2cu DT

'Christmas Diamonds'

I managed to do this one today as it is uncomplicated but stylish.  Yes - another of Judith's great patterns and another for the Christmas box.

Let's Go Shopping - 'The Christmas Shop'

This lovely parchment pattern is by Judith Maslen. I started it a few weeks ago and have just managed to finish it over the last couple of days.  I can manage most parchment without any strain on my left arm/shoulder.
I thoroughly enjoyed making this and it will be a welcome addition to my ever growing collection of Christmas Cards.

CD Sunday - Little Boys

Good Morning

Our team member Caz has chosen this theme and I decided to do a parchment card this time and perhaps give La Pashe a rest - until next week at least.

When I was about to decide what I was going to do for my creation my parchment magazine arrived and in there was the perfect thing - a pirate ship.  At least it wasn't a pirate ship until I had decided it was and went on the hunt for a skull and crossbones.

I then had to find the perfect backing paper from a CD and 'Lo and Behold Me Hearties' -   I found it on Ooh La La's  'Kiddiwinks' CD.
I loved making this card and I hope you like it too.

Take care.
Carol
xx

p.s.
My recovery seems to be on track so much so that although I can only do a little gentle crafting I really think that I can now resume my DT commenting duties.  I have been looking at all the lovely entries and I am sorry I couldn't comment but I feel that I should be able to now.  I am quite comfortable typing with a finger on each hand as long as it isn't for too long.
xx

Crafts-Too Challenge You(C2cu)- Challenge #3 -Texture- Twist 1 - Choose your own style

This is week 2 of 'Choose your own style' and for this DT sample I have changed my style to 'Pale and Pastel'

More textures but with pastel colouring. Pale pinkish linen look base card. Glimmer card embossed with a Craft-Too embossing folder and backed with a lilac card mat. This topper was placed over some white spotted lilac chiffon ribbon with bow.  Added to the topper are  flower and leaves made using coloured parchment and mixed dies.  Flower centre is a brad and silver ring from Nellie Snellen.


Take care.
Carol xx
C2cu DT

CD Sunday - Shop til you Drop

Good Morning.

It is Jenny's turn to choose the theme for this week and Shop til you Drop is such a good choice.  We all love shopping - especially for craft goodies.

I have been back to La Pashe again for this card.  I had remembered seeing it when I first looked through the menu and when I got the theme I rushed off to use this folder.  I seem to like working with red at the moment so that appealed to me as well.
Here is my card:

I just love this design which is all from the CD.

Have fun with your shopping.

Carol
xx

Crafts-Too Challenge You(C2cu)- Challenge #3 -Texture- Twist 1 - Choose your own style

A new month and a new challenge.  This Twist is to choose your own style but use Textures please.
I have chosen 'Bright and Cheerful' for my style.

For my DT card the texture I have chosen for this one is stitching with colourful threads. I die cut the pink card for the stitching and then backed with  some  papers left over from my August projects.  I spliced  these together to give a contrast interest and then backed with an embossed gold shimmer mat.  The large brads I found in my stash and was amazed that they matched almost exactly.  I didn't have 4 of each colour so I opposed the 2 of each  to the background stripes.  Finally the multicoloured stripey paper and sentiment come from a CD.

I hope you enjoy the challenge and I will be posting my second for Twist 1 next week.

Take care.
Carol xx
C2cu DT

Made a little earlier

Here are a couple of ATC's made for a swop last month.  Theme TV Favourites.  I used the La Pashe images and did some reduction in size and some decoupage.

xx

CD Sunday - Scentimental

Good Morning

The beginning of another month.  Autumn is coming around quite quickly.  I have no idea whilst posting this what the weather will be like but let's hope it is good.

A new month and  we are  delighted to say that  we are being sponsored again by Sarah Andrews of  Jems Designs.  This time Sarah sent us all the Scentimental CD so that we could choose which gorgeous perfume to use.
I couldn't make up my mind which one to use so I made some ATC's showing various elements from several of the folders hoping to catch the essence of the gorgeous images. I have even perfumed the ATC's with a new perfume purchase - Cerruti 1881.

Here are the ATC's

All the images and the background come from the CD.  I have just added some pearls, a gem, a flower brad  and some lacy bits.  And of course a spray of perfume.  Pity you can't smell it as it is a delicious light scent.
Carol
xx

  p.s.
Just grabbing the opportunity to say that  as far as I know the replacement has gone well.  Will be seeing the Consultant tomorrow for update and clip removal I hope.  As you can see I can type a little but in short bursts.  I have been very surprised how comfortable I feel in general and the intense pain is no more.  I am just frustrated about how long I have to wait to try things but they know best.
I have been looking at all the wonderful cards that are being made all over the place but sad I can't join in. But there is an upside....... I only need my right hand and a mouse to go shopping.  Just wait til I get started again with lots of new goodies.
Can't type any more.
Carol
xxxx

p.p.s  02/09
 Thanks for the kind thoughts and wishes. Saw the Consultant this am. He is very very pleased. Said I looked well because my hair looked good!!  He took out the clips and said I could take off the Teds.  Will see me in 4 weeks and hopefully then I will be able to drive.  Onwards and upwards.  Feel tired now as this is the 1st time I have been out since the op but feeling good.
Soon be crafting I hope.
xx

CD Sunday - On the Beach

Good Morning.  If all has gone well I should be home by now being pampered and waited on by my sister.
Caz has chosen our theme this week and for this one I went to what is by now my favourite CD - The Best of La Pashe 2012.  Before I took up parchment decoupage was my favourite discipline and I just love the decoupage on the La Pashe CD's.

             



For the card itself I scanned a piece of sandpaper and then printed it out on 280gsm card and I was pleased to see that it does look just like beach sand.
The green mat is some holographic found in my stash and the second mat and the image are both from the CD.

I have found too that all these images on the CD  reduce down in size beautifully to make ATC's.  Here is the one I made using this image for a recent swop.  And it is decoupaged.

 

All for now.
Carol
xx

Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2cu) Challenge #2 - Summer Days - Twist 2 - Beach Colours -

Hello for the second/third week of our Twist 2 challenge - 'Beach Colours'.

I decided I would really like to do some parchment for this challenge and I went to my favourite designer Judith Maslen for inspiration.  I have done this pattern before but I have taken some liberties this time and there are a few alterations to fit the challenge. (sorry Judith).

Isn't he just gorgeous?  I have re-designed the border, added a blue band of colour and some blue and white striped ribbon and buttons from Crafts-Too - all to accentuate the beach and sea feel. He has been traced in black ink and then embossed and coloured.  I think he is definitely an 'Edward'.

Carol xx
C2cu DT

CD Sunday - Add a Number

Good Morning.
Starting with today I am afraid that all my postings for the next few weeks will be scheduled ones. I know this is very impersonal and please bear with me,  but I will be back to 'live' postings once I am fit and able again.
This weeks challenge - Add a Number -  has been chosen by Jocelyn - and for this card I went to the new House Mouse Triple Collection - CD 2.  They are so cute.

Everything except the die cut tulips ( which are Memory Box - if memory serves me correctly!) came from the CD.
Even though I won't be replying  I look forward to receiving  your comments and looking at your blogs when I can.
Carol
xx

Keeping busy

finishing off a stack of birthday cards.  I will need some of these in the next few weeks and months.  Decoupage is something that I can sit and do quietly without any undue strain on my arm and I love doing decoupage - especially using the La Pashe 2012 CD.
I enjoyed making them and here they are.

 I really don't know what I am going to do when I can't craft for a few weeks.  I don't read a lot so it will be back to jigsaws I expect.
Carol
xx

Crafts-Too Challenge You(C2cu)- Challenge #2 -Summer Days - Twist 2 - Beach Colours

Good Morning and welcome to Twist 2 of our August Challenge - Summer Days.  This time we would like you to use some beach colours

Here is my creation which I hope will give an idea of what we are looking for, or perhaps even give some inspiration.

For this easel card I have used from my pack from Crafts-Too  - buttons, ribbon and the striped backing paper. The Beach Hut and shell stamps used came from the free set with Creative Stamping (I think Issue 10).  I thought the beige buttons looked a bit like pebbles and I used the blue striped ribbon to look like a wave. The beach huts are coloured with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils.

I look forward to seeing more of the wonderful creations that we have been receiving.
Carol xx
C2cu DT

p.s.  I won't be making any comments for a while I am afraid but my fellow team members will be doing my turns for me.  

Patchwork - Grid 37

Pergamano have fairly recently released two more multi grids - in fact nos: 36 and 37.  I bought them as soon as I knew about them directly from Pergamano and have just now had a chance to play with no: 37.  This one is all about patchwork and I think it is going to be one of my favourites.
Until my arm is sorted out I am a bit a restricted in what I can and can't do craftwise.  I can do parchment as that is quite easy one handed and I can use my Big Shot one handed as that is so stable.  But the guillotine is difficult.

For this card I embossed all but three of the little patchwork scenes.  I then made a patchwork using the smallest die of a set of hexagons I have just bought.  They are not the perfect size but near enough.  I cut several in red, green and yellow and stuck them in a pattern to a backing paper.
The striped card was printed using a Carol Ann's Studio CD.  I then offered up the parchment to the hexagons and  fixed them by using brads and some Perga Glue.

I don't think I will be making many more cards but I might try and do some finishing touches to ones almost complete.  I have to try and keep busy.

CD Sunday - Quick and Cute

Good Morning.

I think there is a slight chill in the air - at least compared with how it has been.  I can't say I am sorry as I don't like it very hot.

'Quick and Cute' has been chosen by Sue-b and for this I have chosen a couple of Yorkshire Terriers from The Best of La Pashe 2012.

They certainly look cute and it was a quick card to make so all the boxes ticked.

There is plenty of scope for all sorts of themes and styles.  I look forward to my last week (for a while) of blog hopping and commenting.

Have a good week.
Carol
xx

Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2cu) - Challenge #2 - Twist 1 - Fun in the Sun

Good Morning. We are so pleased to have received  many wonderful entries in the 1st week of our second challenge.  Thank you all for your continued interest and support.
Here is my second card on this theme of 'Fun in the Sun' and for this I have been doing some stamping and colouring.

This is 'Making a Garland' using Marianne 'Snoesjes stamp', Marianne backing papers and Crafts-Too buttons.  The Rectangle Parenthesis dies (X cut) and the  'Dancing Tulip' die (Memory Box) , purple and green card are from my stash. The butterflies are cut from a piece of backing paper in the selection I received.
We are looking forward to receiving many more entries.  I love looking at all the different styles used and of course what else is new to buy.

Carol xx
C2cu DT

CD Sunday - Transportation

Good Morning to everyone.  A lovely weekend here in the South after a late night thunderstorm on Friday.  It didn't last long enough to cool everything down but it did water the garden.

Yet another new month and we have a lovely sponsor this month - Lynn of 'Crafty Linby'.  Lynn has very generously offered a CD as her prize - Debbie Moore's Shabby Chic  Mechanical. As well as choosing the theme, giving a prize and choosing the winner  Lynn is also going to be our Guest Designer for this month.  Thank you so much Lynn for your support of our Challenges.

Now the team have all been thinking outside the 'box' this month and I know you will enjoy the cards that they have made for your inspiration.  I think I am way out of the box this time and here is my offering:

His legs and pose have been much admired by the team.  The pattern came from Stitching Cards and the palm fronds are from a die that I have - Marianne I think.

I can hear you saying - now where is the bit from a CD?  and here it is:

The insert which  is  from Robert Addams - Ancient Egypt CD
I thoroughly enjoyed making this simple card and I look forward to seeing how many more 'out of the box' creations we receive.

On a personal note - the count down to my op has started.  I now have a final date (20th August)  - the last of 4 alterations and change of hospital - and I have my pre - op assessment and physio consult on Tuesday.  Let's hope I pass after all this.

Carol xx


p.s. In answer to your question Margaret - yes I have ridden a camel.

A wonderful holiday in Egypt in 2005.

Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2cu) - 2nd Challenge - Summer Days. Twist 1 - Fun in the Sun

I can't believe we are already into the second month of our new Challenge but we are and we have chosen 'Summer Days'.  It is also difficult to believe that we have had Summer days but we certainly have and I for one am slowly melting.

For the first week of Twist 1 I have chosen to go to one of my favourite CD's (La Pashe 2012) and together with the decoupaged image I have used backing paper, ribbon and Marianne Craftables die cut utensils - all from my DT pack from Crafts Too.

I hope that everyone is having their own 'Fun in the Sun' and I look forward to visiting many blogs in the coming month.
If you look here you will find all the details about how and when the prizes for last month will be decided and the links to my fellow teamies wonderful creations for your inspiration.

Many congratulations to the winner of our mega Give Away - Susan @ Scrumplescrunch

CD Sunday - Garden Pleasures

Good Morning.  This weeks theme couldn't be more apt for me  as yesterday I spent a wonderful day at the gardens at  RHS Wisley - where I am a member.  There were nine of us wandering around - chatting and catching up with news whilst admiring the wonderful gardens.  Our group came from as far afield as Holland, Wales, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Sussex, Kent and Surrey.   We all agreed that we never tire of our annual group visits to Wisley so a 'Garden Pleasure' it truly was and it will always be so.
For my card I used a Pamela West Cd - Volume 2 Cd 1.  I printed the topper on parchment and embossed all the appropriate areas and then fixed it to the matching backing paper and card with tiny brads. The blue bow is a die cut and the 4 corner flowers were punched and were from stash.

This is our last week with Tess as our Guest Designer.  Tess,  it was lovely to have you back with us this month,  and thank you for your beautiful creations.

The Foxtrot

This was my parchment project at the lesson on Wednesday.   The image was traced using black ink and white pencil  from the stamped image of a Kanban stamp by Yvette Jordan called 'Foxtrot'.  The oval border was made using Pergamano Grid No: 20 and the brads are white floral brads by Nellie Snellen. I used a little Glamour Dust and 3 tiny stick on pearls.

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