Ooh La La Challenge #61 Elegant Ladies

I have used an image from Femme Fatale Cd - called Elegant. Printed directly to parchment and used a 'freebie' border that was designed for an ATC. I have just adjusted the size. The ribbon is also made from parchment. The BP is also from a folder on the same CD but I must confess I can't remember which one.
This border is proving to be one of my favourites. Effective and easily size adjustable.

White on Purple

I found this border as a free download on a Dutch site. It was done on a PCA Bold Diagonal Grid. The flower comes from my stash of parchment flowers. I make these when I have a moment using up scraps of parchment - plain and coloured. This will make a quickish and pretty 'Thank You' or 'Just for You' card. I am trying to have a fair selection of work to show at Sandown.
I had to take this apart and correct a mistake that someone at our workshop spotted. So a new photo.

Clip Art Glamour - Take 2

Back in July I did this image for my friend Pat from her Clip Art CD. I have sent it to her for her site and hopefully - promotions - so I decided I would like to do her again. As I never make exactly the same card twice I have made some little differences. Parchment flowers instead of ribbon, slightly different pink used and darker print for the image itself.
I just love this image - my favourite on the Cd.

Gothic Butterfly - for the Sandown Park Craft Show

Just made another of the lovely Gothic Butterflies from Pauline Loweth's pattern and then played with the photo in ACDSee. I am going to be at the The Stitch and Creative Craft Show at Sandown Park (Surrey) next month - 17th-19th September on 'The Art of Parchment' stand with two parchment tutors. I want to make several of these butterflies and others to showcase on the stand.
Please come and see me if you can make the Show. Stand F17. We were there for the first time in January and we were really pleasantly surprised at the number of visitors we had at the stand.

Link for the Show in the title. A tutor is doing a Make and Take each day at 11.00am

"Guinevere"

SOLD

This is the third 'head' I have chosen from the Clip Art CD. I have embossed gently on the back and coloured the front with promarkers. The skin was done using polychromos pencil and Zest It. Gems have been added to the dress and the corners.

I have changed the photo for a better one and changed the title. I think she looks like Guinevere.

Butterfly Head

This is another 'head' image, on parchment, from my friend Pat's Clip Art CD. (link in the title) The border is a download from a free site and was done using a PCA bold diagonal grid. I coloured most of the flowers and butterflies on the front with promarkers. It was an experiment to see if the promarkers made the inkjet ink 'bleed' but they didn't and I was very pleased as I would like to use them more on parchment. I used rainbow paper for the backing.

CD Sunday Challenge - Buttons and Bows

I think the CD Sunday Challenge DT are being kind to us as we all have 'Buttons and Bows'.
This week I needed to make some new ATC's for the group I belong to - the United Kingdom Stampers Network (UKSN) so I have taken the oportunity to combine the two. I have used a wonderful Cd from Crafty Computer Paper - 'Crafty Image Emporium CD-rom' for the ATC backs. There is a wonderful selection on this CD. Then just added Buttons and Bows from my considerable stash.

The Unicorn

I made this parchment card for a male friend a little while ago but wanted to add it to my gallery on here. The image of the unicorn was a download and was perfect to print on parchment so you could emboss the wonderful white mane and horn.
The border is one of my own design.

Parchment Lesson - Distressing Inks

The use of distressing ink and stamping was the subject of one of our recent lessons and I have only just finished this card as my homework. We used Tim Holtz distress ink - my colour was 'Dusty Concord'. We stamped the image and then 'drew' the wet ink with a brush. Our tutor gave us the pattern for the simple frame. It could be used for a photo - but I didn't. The 1st layer of background is a lovely suede effect from a 12 x 12 paper from Art of Craft. This is where our lessons are so we are lucky to have the whole store to search when we are looking for suitable embellishments.
I have stitched the frame with Miyuki Delica Crystal beads size 11. Silver lined Purple.

Ooh La La Challenge #60 Spots and Dots

This very 'classy' image comes from Ooh La La's CD Passion for Fashion. I have 'cut it out' of the topper on the Cd with my graphics programme (as the other ladies didn't have spotty dresses). Then used Carol Anne Studios CD for the spotty background which I have punched with my Martha Stewart financial investment.

Waterside Watercolours - Shades of Autumn

Here is the Autumn version of the first picture below. I have used the same border as before but this time the image has been printed on parchment. I think I did the first one on photo paper. I believe Tina is working on, or perhaps indeed finished, a Winter version of the same scene. I am looking forward to working on that one as well.
Link to Deb's site is on the left and in the title.

Waterside Watercolours - Summer

This lovely riverside watercolour scene was painted by Tina, lovely Mum to my dear friend Debs. Tina donated the picture to Debs to use as the basis for one of her CD's. I loved the image so I printed it out and added a parchment border to make a picture for Tina. The border pattern is one by Pauline Loweth.
Just click on the title or look at the link on the left to take you to Deb's site and her lovely fun CD's.

CD Sunday Challenge - Music and Movements

For this weeks CD Sunday Challenge I have used 'Ballet Belles' by Fee J Designs for the images and the '18'. The music score was played about with in MCS where I also added the pink 'insert' and wording.
Now I just need to find someone who is having an 18th Birthday.


From September Sunday CD Challenge are starting a monthly challenge (first Sunday of each month) which will be sponsored by a CD producer so keep your eyes peeled. There are some wonderful sponsors lined up with lovely goodies to be won. Soooooooo, only 4 weeks till blast off!

The Strawberry Thief

The last of my little stock of William Morris designs from Stitching cards.
I have used Robert Addams Gingham Cd for the card and the little rosettes are from Ribbon Box. I always make straight for their stand at any Show I go to.

Snakes Head Fritillary

The third of the little stitch pictures I did whilst away. Just one more to make up after this one - all have been William Morris designs.
For the bow I have used some white satin/nylon ribbon and coloured it with a promarker - 'Blossom'.
The peel-off was coloured using Dufex Brush pens - my favourite for peel-offs.

Marigolds and Butterflies

I did several little stitch cards whilst I was away and this pattern is from Stitching Cards again - a William Morris design. I had another play with the Tool Box CD to make the background paper. I have had a beautiful piece of ribbon for ages but couldn't find the right card for it but this seems to be the one. As well as using it for the bow I have cut out a few of the sparkly butterflies and added them to the image. I have also used my Martha Stewart punch. I use it so little and it is working out at about £10.00 a punch. That is how we used to work out the cost of our golf. Annual Fee divided by the number of rounds played. Made you gulp a bit.

CD Sunday Challenge - Anything Goes!

The CD Sunday Challenge this week seems very generous - Anything Goes!. I have chosen a card I have done for someone using inspiration from something they had. A beautiful little vase decorated with Charles Rennie Mackintosh pink roses. I took a photo of the vase with beautiful home grown Sweet Peas and used the photo for a background. This was made using Crafters Toolbox - a CD by Card Creations. I already had the pattern for the stitchwork roses and it was amazing that they were exactly the same in design and colour. The other mounts are pale pink and pale green linen mirri card and dark pink cardstock.
The stitch card pattern is Art Nouveau Rose 3 by Stitching Cards.


From September Sunday CD Challenge are starting a monthly challenge (first Sunday of each month) which will be sponsored by a CD producer so keep your eyes peeled. There are some wonderful sponsors lined up with lovely goodies to be won. Soooooooo, only 5 weeks till blast off!

Ooh La La Blog Challenge - 'Birthday'

Here is my current DT card for this fortnight's challenge at Ooh La La.
The Pyramage and the outsert used as the card are from Ooh La La Floral Extravaganza. Folder: T for 2 - nos: 6 and 10.
The ribbon and pearls are from stash and the butterfly is from Shoes in Bloom - printed on parchment.

CD Sunday Challenge - Meow

For this Sunday CD Challenge "Meow" I have used The Pamela West Collection Cd for the image in the window behind the pussy cats. The window is a peel off on acetate.
I then affixed this to a card produced on MCS comprising a lilac background, a cream and purple mat and some words.



From September Sunday CD Challenge are starting a monthly challenge (first Sunday of each month) which will be sponsored by a CD producer so keep your eyes peeled. There are some wonderful sponsors lined up with lovely goodies to be won. Soooooooo, only 6 weeks till blast off!

More South American Parchment Work

This time Brazilian Lacework used to make a bookmark.

Decorative perforating

(new better photo)
This is my first project from a new book I have bought called South American Parchment Craft by Janet Wilson.
This piece is designed to show Argentinian decorative perforating with the use of small crystal beads as part of the pattern and to attach the piece to the card. In this case purple linen mirri card. It was a nice relaxing piece to do and I used my largest embossing tool for the plain embossing and it meant that the embossing was smoother and less inclined to buckle.

CD Sunday Challenge - Looks Like Summer

'Looks Like Summer' is the CD Sunday Challenge this week and I have used 3 CD's for my entry.
The stripey background is from Carol Ann's Studio Patchwork Petals. A favourite of mine as I have said before. The lovely Summer image is from a Cd by a dear friend - Debs- at www.debbeescds.co.uk. This is a mini Cd with 7 folders using special paintings by Pamela West and the Cd is called 'Dayze of Innocence'. I have printed on parchment with a border created on my photo manager programme and then a little gridwork done and some embossing to highlight the picture. I have then added three sparkled dragonflies from Wings and Flowers CD also printed on parchment to make them look realistic.
I welcome any comments and look forward to reading them.

Workshop Treasures

I went to a Judith Maslen Workshop yesterday down in the New Forest and had a wonderful but hardworking day. I think we spent a good 6+ hours out of the 7 working.
The first card uses pencil techniques to show fur and that was absolutely fascinating and I learned so much from Judith. The second card shows embossing a larger area without overdoing it and spoiling the parchment. A sneaky white pencil technique came into play here.
Just a very, very good day and worth more than the so reasonable cost and the travelling. But Tom Tom got me there unscathed.

Punching fun

I had a couple of fun hours last night at The Art of Craft - my local Aladdin's Cave. They do some great workshops there and it was Martha Stewart punches last night. We made this easel card and a couple of others that aren't quite finished. Needless to say I purchased some punches - esp to try out on parchment. I didn't buy this edge punch that we used but I did buy the 'Embroidered Floral' as you can thread ribbon through the punching which appeals to me.

Clip Art - Koi Carp

Here is the second card using my new Clip Art CD by Patsymay (link in the title). The Koi Carp has been printed on parchment, embossed and then coloured from the back using polychromos pencils, then glazed at the front with Perga gloss.
The border is one by Wendy Walters - which I have adapted from 4 corner pieces to a frame.

CD Sunday Challenge - Kind Thoughts

I really enjoyed making this CD Sunday Challenge card as it has been made for a dear friend who is confined to bed at the moment and can no longer craft or join our little gang on our jaunts.
I used Carol Anne's Studio 'Patchwork Petals' CD again for the backing paper. Printed both sides with toning colours. The photos are my own taken on trips to Wisley RHS Gardens (down the road) and the frames have been done on ACDSee Photomanager. Then I used MCS for the Deco Ladies and the oval and the sentiment printed in white. I have used 3 of my parchment flowers. Three because Sue is a special lady.

Just for You

My entry in this weeks CD Sunday Challenge is a coaster rather than a card. It is for a girlfriend's birthday - 'Just for her' with name and the date.
I have used Ooh La La's 'Shoes in Bloom' CD - no surprise there then. I used my ACDSee Photo manager to add the name and the butterflies are from Pergamano Grid No: 17.
Tulips - I believe - are one of the flowers for July.

Clip Art Glamour

When I went to the Newbury Craft Show last weekend one of my missions was to visit a stand belonging to a friend of mine, Pat, of www.patsymay.co.uk. I did and found that Pat and Alan have produced a wonderful new Cd of Clip Art. You can buy it with or without a book showing the images. I loved what I saw and could see many possibilties especially for using with parchment. Pat asked me if I would make her some sample cards and this one above is the first. I took the printed image to the monthly workshop I attend and we all had fun talking about this image and the others on the CD. I had such a lot of input from everyone. I can really recommend this CD and the site link is in the title 'Clip Art Glamour.
A tip is to use the images with MCS so that you can resize and change the opacity. I reduced the opacity by about 50% which gives a lovely tone on the parchment.
I love it and will be using many more of these images so watch this space.

Ooh La La and Jonathon Earl Bowser

Ooh La La are on Create & Craft again on Tuesday 6th July at 4.00pm (please check time as this may not be 100% accurate). Showcased this time are 'Shoes in Bloom' again and new to the screen 'DREAMS OF TRANQUILITY'.
This is my second favourite of Ooh La La's Cd's and the images are wonderful. Ethereal and magical without being too 'fanatasy'. For me anyway but you will love them. I have done a series of pictures using images from the Cd and given them parchment frames and crackle paper mounts. Amongst the images are 5 Elemental Ballets and I have done them as a series all linked with a Pauline Loweth butterfly. I hope you like them.
The link to the artists site is in the title to this post. I am new to this blogging and haven't yet worked out the magical way the link is added to the text here.

Just stitching

An Initial card - pattern from Pinbroidery. The pattern reminds me of Jacobean style crewel work. This took a little while and not one to be done in a hurry.

Stitch and Bead Card

A birthday card for a girlfriend this month. I thought I would do a stitch and bead as a change from parchment which I did for her last year. The pattern is a download from Stitching Cards. The beads and thread were bought at a Craft Show and the gingham bp is from Robert Addams CD 'Printable Gingham etc'.

In Full Bloom

This is my entry in this weeks CD Sunday Challenge - 'In Full Bloom'. It is also my first ever easel card.
The Cd I have used is another firm favourite of mine - Patchwork Petals by Carol Ann's Studio. The backing papers alone make this such a worthwhile CD to have.
The card and the flower image are all from the CD. The Linen look pale pink mirri card is from QVC. The 'Bloom' is decoupaged. The little flowers at the front are Anita's dimension stickers. The parchment 'garter' with the ribbon has been made using Pergamano Grid No: 11 and the butterfly pattern - from where I can't remember. I will decide on the sentiment when I use it.

Now a prize winning ' Butterfly'

I posted this earlier this month as my entry in a competition and was very pleased to be told this evening that I had won two weekend tickets to the Newbury Craft Show.
I am very pleased as this is the first time I have entered a card in a competition.

Magic Dots

I am lucky enough to have The Art of Craft store almost on my doorstep. This is where I go for my Parchment Lessons and Workshops and most of my 'goodies'. Jane and her staff are a great group of ladies who between them run many other workshops . This one I went to during the week was for Magic Dots. The cards above were two of the ones I made. It was interesting, and even more so was the fact that this can also be be done on parchment. I didn't manage to do one in the time.
I can't see that I will be doing a lot of this but it is a new 'style' to use in one of my classes.

Horizontal or Vertical ??

I ordered the MCS Parchment Delights Volume 4 from C & C and it arrived this morning. I hadn't been interested in the previous volumes but this one looked interesting. This is the first image that I decided to try and print and then had to decide what to do with it - and I came up with this topper. I have used a flower and brad from the new Papermania Capsule Collection and ribbon from stash. The crackle bp is of course from Shoes in Bloom CD - where else!
Well - should it be horizontal or vertical?

Butterflies by Tina Cox

Tina has produced a pattern pack called Butterflies 1 and this pattern is one of them. I have been lucky enough to attend one of Tina's workshops and she is such a lovely and talented lady.
This card I have adapted slightly as I haven't got a Moon perforating tool. I have made the card for some friends of mine as it is their Wedding Anniversary today.

Bouquet

This is a free pattern by Anne Quinn. Felt tips were used on the back for the colouring. For the border I used a Siesta fancy ruler grid No: SPB008L1.
The backing card came from Ooh La La. I think this has a refreshingly different look.

Broderie Anglaise Border card

This is a pattern by a lady called Susan McGuirk and I bought it as a download. I love the design and simplicity of it. I think I could have done the bobble embossing better and I'll be more careful next time I do it.

CD Sunday Challenge - Have a Heart

I used Ooh La La's CD8 - Fleur D'Imagination for all of the card. The pyramage is flat and I added a second bow with a rosette from Ribbon Box and a brad. For the words I used MCS.