Crafting For All Seasons - Challenge 89

Hi everyone,

Well it's time again for a new challenge at

Crafting For All Seasons.

 

The theme for this challenge is 'Tag It'.

 

Our amazing sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps.

Their stamps are incredible and I have spent hours trying to choose which I would use!

 

The prize for this challenge is 7, yes 7 Digi Images!!!

 

Check them out here.

 

 

This image is called 'Noel Birds'.

 

Great fun to colour, using Copics pens. Love the two fat Robins!

The 'O' I coloured with a gold pen and then covered it with Stickles.

 

The lights I coloured with Sakura Stardust pens and then topped them with Glossy Accents.

 

I also added some GA to the birds beaks.

 

For the Holly leaves I used an old die and added 3 gems for the berries.

The cone I have had in my stash for years!

 

Please make sure you pop over to the blog here and see all the amazing tags from my very talented teamies.

 

Then get making your entry and good luck.

 

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

 

 

Crafting For all Seasons Challenge #88

Hi everyone,

Today is the first day of the latest 2 week challenge, at Crafting For All Seasons.

 

The Sponsor for this challenge is The Paper Shelter.

The very generous prize, is a $20 Gift Certificate!

 

The theme for this Challenge is Buttons and Bows.

This gorgeous image is called Autumn Attitude, from The Paper Shelter.

I decided to colour her clothes, using Copics, in not very Autumn colours. I have coloured the leaves brown and gold. Also the backing paper and buttons, come into Autumn colour range.

She is very pretty and lovely to colour.

 

If you buy the Digi, you get one precoloured image, one without colour and

a coloured backing paper. Great value I think.

 



Get you cards linked up to the challenge here and you can see all my teamies stunning cards and then pop over to The Paper Shelter, here, to see what you could win!

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely and uplifting comments.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol xxx

 

 



Let It Snow Even More!!

Hi everyone and a special welcome to my new followers.

Please grab a coffee or tea, even better, a glass of something stronger! You might need it!

I am afraid this is a bit of a photo shoot, so I apologise in advance.

 

Firstly I have been bursting to tell you some news.

Are you sitting comfortably - then I will begin!

 

In a garden centre about 5 minutes from here, we had a Hobbycraft Store. Not a huge one but great if you wanted something quick. The big store is about a 25 minute drive, depending on the traffic, could be even longer. The staff were very friendly and one of them, I had known for a number of  years.

Hobbycraft, then out of the blue, decided to close it.

As a support to the staff and local crafters, who couldn't get to the big store, I decided to email the CEO. No mucking about, go straight to the top!

I didn't expect a reply and even stated this in my mail.

Well I got a reply, straight away!

 

I will cut it short now. The outcome was, the CEO, Catriona Marshall, asked to meet me for a chat.

We arranged a date and met up with her and a guy called Bruce Gibson. 

I explained, as in my email, that due to public transport here, that she had now cut off many people access to craft  products. People in the villages without cars, would find it impossible to get to the big store. Not just older people but Mums with young children too. Also, as I buy in bulk, canvases, boxes etc. if I didn't have a car, there was no way I could get there and back on public transport. It takes 2 buses and about 1 1/2 hours just to get there. Then the same home, fully loaded! It would also put the price up for my market sales and that is for the charity I support.

Our meeting lasted 2 hours and unfortunately, as she explained there was no choice, the store is closed.

It is a shame, but Catriona and Bruce were very nice and seemed to take on board my comments re the stores. One of them they agreed with and said it was already being gradually implemented in all stores.

 

I am still getting people moaning to me about the closure.

I have been very lucky, as they have made me their first public Discount Card holder. I was very chuffed and it will certainly help to offsetting petrol expenses.

Sadly, it doesn't help other people.

 

Right, now to the photo shoot! I bought this pack of letters at Ally Pally from the MDF man.

 

Sorry the first photo image is a bit p... sorry, wonky! Hubby was behind the door holding the cord!

 

 

At first I didn't know how to decorate them and then I had a moment!
You know, the wave comes over you!



I had bought some Decorators Caulk ( a type of wall filler) in Aldi, so I decided to apply it in waves like snow drifts. I let it dry overnight and then covered it with white acrylic paint.

The first snowman is an old Whiff Of Joy stamp and a favourite of mine. I love snowmen but they have to be special looking!

The snowflakes are a mix of different makes put together. Spellbinders and Marianne Creatables.

They have been glittered with Stickles, Star Dust. 

 

The snowman, as all of them, have been coloured with Distress Inks. Then glittered to look like snow, with Dries white Cosmic Shimmer glue and sprinkled with CS Iced Snow glitter. 
All bought from The Craft Barn

 



This snowman is a Lili Of The Valley stamp, called Seeds and Greetings.

 



Isn't he gorgeously cute?!

Another LOTV stamp called Penguin Friends.

Meet Mr Snowman, an old LOTV stamp and another old favourite!

 

Wakey Wakey!!! Are you still with me? It's over now and I promise my next post

will be short and sweet.

 

Have a lovely Sunday and thanks for stopping by and leaving me such gorgeous comments. They always make me smile and encourage me to keep crafting.

Challenge
Lili Of The Valley - Anything goes
 

Hugs,

Carolxxxx

Too Cute To Spook - Challenge 87

Hi Everyone, We have a new challenge at Crafting For All Seasons.

 

This #87 challenge is 'Too Cute Too Spook'!

Our Sponsor for this challenge is The Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet.

 

The prize you can win is, 3 images from the showcased creators.

Pop over to their website here and see the brilliant range of amazing digis you can choose from.

 

I chose 'Yo' as I think she is definitely too cute too spook!

 

I firstly created the background on my computer,

using the design program I have.

 

I printed Yo onto 300gm watercolour card and I used Distress Inks

to colour her with.

 

 I really enjoyed colouring her, adding turquoise hi-lights into her hair.

Great fun. Also giving her black finger nails!

 





 

I am sure you will agree, with those gorgeous eyes, she really is too cute to spook!

 

I am looking forward to seeing your amazing projects. So get creating and join in the fun here

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

 

Carolxx

Snowmen Will Melt Your Heart!

Hi everyone, a very quick post tonight as I want to get to bed before 2am for a change!

 

Just posting a couple of CAS cards, made using two of  LOTV latest Christmas stamps.

 

This first one I think is my favourite, at the moment!

 

 

All coloured with Distress Inks.

 

Both the snowmen are really cute. I do love snowmen,

but I am very fussy with how their faces look.

These both passed the test!



 

The snow was made with American Writer glue and

Cosmic Shimmer Iced Snow glitter.

I am back on Wednesday, with my next challenge card, for Crafting For All Seasons.

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving me you lovely comments.

 

Hugs,

Carol xx

Sleigh Bells Ring!

Hi to all my blogging friends. Well it definitely feels like Autumn is here.

It's really chilly at night now.

I have had a few mad days lately. On the way to the dentist the other day, I was behind a car going down a dual carriage way. Suddenly, thick white smoke came billowing out of his car.

I pulled back and then stopped, hoping the huge lorry behind me would stop too!

Out of the smoke, came the driver, waving his hands in the air. The smoke got thicker for a time and then stopped. When it cleared a bit, I drove by as I was going to be late for my appointment.

I had just turned into the road where my dentist was, changed gear and the pedal stayed on the floor! The clutch cylinder had gone! I walked the 300 yards to the dentist and phoned hubby on the way.

Anyway, our mechanic came out to me. Fiddled with the pedal and managed to repair it enough for me to get back to the garage.

I was so glad to get home in one piece!

 

I bought the template for the sleigh, at Sandown Park Craft Fair. It was from The House of Zandra. I had great fun making it. I wanted this first one to have a Victorian feel to it.

The images are from an old Victorian Christmas CD from Joanna Sheen.

Hate to think how long I have had it!

 

 

The picture below is the other side. The snowflake is made with dies from

The Craft Barn.

 



 

For the snow, I used Snow writer 3D glue and Cosmic Shimmer, Jewels Iced Snow glitter.

The wooden bunny is from Art Cuts.

I took the sleigh to a Craft Fair on Sunday and it sold in the first hour!

 

Check  out The House of Zandra for amazing templates, stamps and decoupage sheets. You won't be disappointed. I have made another of their new items and will post it next time.

 

Off to bed now, as I have an all day class at The Craft Barn today, at 10.30.

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments. It's like getting friendly hugs.

Hugs,

 

Carol xx

Colours Of Autumn

Okay, I know my last post was huge. I promise this is a very short one! Ish!! Honest!!

 

This is my card for our new challenge #86, at Crafting For All Seasons.

As my title states, the challenge is

Colours of Autumn.

 

Our sponsor for this challenge, is Limited Runs The prize is 3 Digis.

Drop in on their shop and see what you could win.

 

 

If you need some inspiration, just pop over to Crafting For All Seasons blog and have a look at the samples from the amazing team.

 

I started with the background, using a piece of glossy card. I used my old Big'N'Juicy, Spice ink pad and gave my Brayer an airing!

I began by randomly stamping the leaves.  Again, an old set from Creative Expressions, with Versamark clear ink and dried them. I then stamped them again with Versamark and this time used clear embossing powder.

I then brayered over the top, using the Spice B'N'J ink pad. Dried the ink again and then stamped again using Versamark ink and gold detail embossing powder. I then gave the card a good polish with a soft tissue.

You can just see the first layer as a shadow.

 

 

I then stamped some leaves with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink, cut them out and 3D'd them.

The sentiment is from the same set of stamps.

 



A fun card to make, as I was using all old techniques,

that I haven't done for years!

 

Can't wait to see what you come up with! Join in with the challenge and have a bit of fun crafting. Even win a prize too!

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments. 

I will be back soon.

 

Hugs,

Carolxx

My First Box Card

Hi to all my blogging friends and thank you so much for all your kind birthday wishes.

A special big thank you for my BFF Annie in Australia. She made and sent me the

most beautiful card. Will be kept and treasured.

 

I started the day at the Doctors. Had a laugh there!

After examining my neck on the couch, I returned to the chair and couldn't find my glasses. I had left them on the corner of his desk. I then spotted them over by his keyboard. I reached over for them, saying 'Can I have my glasses back!' He said, 'They are mine.' I told him that his were on his head!! We had a good laugh and he then got a fit of the giggles.

 

A friend came round with a gorgeous present of crafting goodies. Then my daughter and grandchildren came round in the afternoon. More pressies. Had a nice day.

I still don't know who this old bird is, that I see in the mirror. I am 38 now and she looks a lot older than that!! Think it's a ghost!! Hee!! Hee!! I wished!!

 

 Sorry I haven't been around for a couple of days but had computer problems. I bought a Laptop and getting it working for me has been a nightmare. It took 4 telephone calls and one visit to the shop to get it working properly and allow me to print. It finally took the last guy, on the phone for 2 hours, to get it all working correctly!! The Techy people at the shop, for some reason, had downloaded Apple drivers onto my HP laptop!!

 

I am still unable to download photos to my blog on the laptop. It says that they are loading but they don't appear!! It also effected our main computer. At least I can do this on our main computer.

 

Are you still with me?!! It's a long one!!

 

Anyway, my eldest sister was 80 last Thursday. So I thought her card had to be rather special.

This is the first box card I have made and took me a whole day!!

 

There is a mixture of stamped, drawn and painted flowers, along with flowers from my stash. Die cut leaves too.

 

The 'happy birthday', is a MB die I bought at Sandown Park fair last week. I cut it out from white card and then applied Versamark ink all over it. I then used Vintage Ivory Frantage all over it.

The chipboard numbers were from my stash and had the

Frantage treatment too.

 

The picture below is of the front panel. I used grunge paste and glitter.

 

The vellum butterflies were from my stash. These are on the side open panels. 

 

I hope you are still awake and not too bored!

 

Well that's it. Got a fair sort of thing to do on Sunday. I have been invited to have a stand at Felbridge village celebration, just up the road from us. It's to celebrate 300 years ago, hundreds of Sweet Chestnut trees were planted by the Evelyn family. There are about 40 remaining. I have drawn some pictures of the nuts in their open shell and used them as wraps on candles. I was also give some of the wood. My Brother-in-law and I made some coasters. He cut them and I sanded and polished them. I  made some tray boxes from card and put sets in them. I wrapped them in cellophane and tied some string around, with a tag of the painted chestnuts attached.  He also made 2 huge bowls but one sadly split right down one side.

 

Wakey, wakey! Sorry to bore you!!

As it's Saturday mid-day, I am not off to bed for a change.

 

Thank you so much for visiting and putting up with my waffle. I should rename my blog to that I think!

 

Have a lovely weekend.

Hugs,

Carol xx

CFAS Challenge #85 Wheels and Cogs

Hi, Thanks for stopping by my blog, to see our new challenge over at

Crafting For All Seasons.

The theme this week is Wheels and Cogs.

Our sponsor for this challenge, is Kenny K. and the generous prize, is 3 images

from their store. Click here to visit their amazing store.

 

 

 

 

The image I used for my card from their store, is Kitty Katastrophe.

I coloured her with Distress Inks and made it into an easel card. The cogs are a stamp that was free with a magazine.

 



          I really enjoyed colouring her and loved adding the pink in her hair.

I added Sakura Silver Star Dust pen onto her jewellery and the metal parts on her belt and boots.

On all the buckles, I added some Stickles Star Dust.

 



 

Don't forget to check out the Kenny K . store and also pop over to our challenge blog. You will see all the inspiring cards for my amazing DT sisters. You can then choose the 3 images you could win from the Kenny K. store.

 

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment, just so I know you have dropped in. I have around 40 - 50 visitors a day, yet only my regulars let me know they have been here.

 

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

The Craft Barn Classes

Hi everyone, just a quick post writing wise. It's my birthday today, so want an early night. I am going to be VAT + 40 something!!

 

Inside I am 38 years and the mirrors in my house are very strange. They keep showing me some old biddy, that must be a ghost or similar! Don't know who she is!!

 

I am also knackered from having my 4year old Grandson here,

Monday, crafting for the day.

 

These items are what my 2 classes made in August. The box is a wooden box, covered with card and using the gorgeous stamps from Helen Meighan, under the name of Helidot. You can buy all the items at The Craft Barn.

 

The top of the box below.

 

The next 2 photos are of the inside, floating butterflies!

 



Below, Tando Sleigh pieces and for the box, I made my own template.

Last piccie, Tando bauble and sleigh. 

All items used are bought from The Craft Barn.

 

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to leave me a message, so I know you have stopped by.

I will return the favour.

 

Hugs

Carol S.xx