Thanks!

Hi everyone,

 

What a beautiful day today. The sun was so warm, that the cooling breeze was very welcome. Husband cut the grass and I did a bit of weeding and lots of planting of bulbs. I must say that the garden looks very pretty with all the spring flowers out. My wild garden area is gorgeous.

 

I am off out for lunch tomorrow for Mother's Day, with my daughter and her mother-in-law. My daughter and her husband are treating us both. I get on with her MIL very well, so we will have a good laugh.

 

This card I made and sent to Marianne, as a thank you for my gorgeous goodies, that I won as candy on her blog.

 

The stamp is from the latest release from Lili of the Valley, called Annabel Roller Girl. I love the little dog in her back pack. She was great fun to colour, with Distress Ink and DI pens.

 

 

The flowers, leaf and dragon fly brad, are from my stash. The pink dots are Cosmic Shimmer Dusky Pink Glue.

 

I think the tag was magazine freebie, although can't confirm that. One of the joys of getting old, you memory is rubbish. I used to know all the Latin names for my garden plants.(sad I know). I still know them but need my garden fork to dig them out of my head. They are buried in my brain but the path to my mouth must be blocked!Lol!

 

 

It's now 12.55 am and I have just remembered, we have an hour less in bed tonight. So in fact, it is now 13.55 so I had better get to bed.

 

Thank you for taking time to visit my blog and leaving me such wonderful messages. I love reading them, as they make me smile.

 

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mums out there and have a wonderful day.

I have entered challenge: Crafty Little Fairies - Tags
 

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

And The Winner Is

Hi everyone,

 

It's time to announce the winner of my candy.

 

I put all the names in a box, including the comment list and got hubby to pick the winner.

 

And the winner is:

 

Louise - Home is where my craft room is

 

Please email me your details, so I can post your goodies to you to:

 

carolstaples@aol.com

 

Thanks to everyone that took the time to enter.

 

I am hoping to go to Ally Pally next month and will find some more goodies, for another candy prize.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Birthday Bunny

Hi blogging friends,

 

Well the sun looked nice today but the wind was freezing!  I am certainly not complaining after all the rain we have had but they did say it was going to be warm here today.

 

I must thank all of my friends out there, for all the lovely messages about my finger. I had the injection but it will take a few weeks for it to work completely. Just not to wake up in the morning with a throbbing hand is great. It's still a bit sore but it's much better. So thanks for your kind words.

 

I had a great day at my sale last week. It was a new venue for me and I was very surprised how much I sold. Even my fairy clock  went!

 

I have been to a meeting of the Inner Wheel, Oxted group today. My friend is the President this year and she asked me if I would give a talk and demo to their members.

 

They wanted to know, how through crafting, I got involved with fund raising for my chosen charity. I also demoed, how to make a chocolate mint box, (empty!) into a pretty gift box, using pages from an old book, copier paper, emulsion paint, Vaseline, a small doily and a piece of lace. Also, how to make flowers from copier paper. They seemed to be quite impressed with the end result. We had lots of fun and I got a nice cheque for my charity. And a free lunch!

 

 When I was at The Craft Barn a few weeks ago, I spotted this Crafters Companion stamp set. I couldn't resist her, so she went straight into my basket.

 

 

I coloured her with Distress Inks and I put Glossy Accents on the letters.

For the flight trail dots, I used Cosmic Shimmer pink glue. The butterfly is a Cheery Lynn die set.

 

Just a short posting tonight, as I find typing a bit difficult. I have to hold out my finger, as if I was a very posh lady, drinking a cup of tea. ( I hate tea)!!  And I'm not posh!LOl!

 

I have to make all the invitations and menus, for the charity yearly function. I am going to sketch a Poppy onto water colour card and paint them with Acrylic paints. The theme is about the first world war.

 

Well off to bed, as I am driving down to Eastbourne tomorrow. Only takes about 45-50 minutes, so not too bad.

 

My Candy finishes tomorrow, so make sure your name is on the list. If you have a problem with the link, just leave a comment on the post and all the names are going into a box and husband will pull the winner. So have a go and good luck.

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely messages, which I will in return, visit your blogs too.

 

Hugs,

Carol S.xx

Home Is Where The Heart Is.

Hi fellow bloggers,

 

Firstly I would like to welcome my new followers. Thank you for taking the time to join me and I hope you like what you see.

 

What a gorgeous day yesterday, Sunday. It was a really warm, 18 degrees! Yippee!!

 

So sorry I haven't posted for far too long but I do have an excuse! And it's a good one!!

 

I have a 'Trigger Finger' on my right hand. If you haven't heard of this, it means I have damaged the Tendons in the palm of my right hand. This effects my finger, so I have difficulty holding things, as it is very painful to clench my fingers. If I do clench my fingers and then release them, my effected finger will not straighten on it's own. I have to unroll it with my other hand. Ouch!!

 

So, as I have a market on Wednesday, first this year, I am trying to make stock for that. It has been a bit slow, which is so annoying. I now, at last, have got an appointment at the Docs on Saturday morning, to have an injection into my finger. I have had this twice before, so must be careful what I do for the first few days after the jab.

 

This is one of my market makes. It's an MDF heart I bought at Sandown Craft Fair.

 

I will list at the bottom of post, all the things I used on it.

 

                                        

 

The rose was the new Sizzix die I had, which I scaled down to 'card' size. Very fiddly but I had done it before finger prob.

 

I really enjoyed making this, as I had most of the elements already in my stash.

 

The leaves are made with Martha Stewart Paper Clay, my new addiction! I just love it. It is so quick to use and you get perfect results every time. I did make a couple of roses free hand and have used them already on projects.

 

The white flowers are just strips of copier paper which I feather cut and rolled.

 

I will hopefully find a couple of challenges to enter this into later!

 

Hope you like it as much I did making it. It does make a change, as normally I always find fault with what I make.

 

Here is the list of products used:

Gesso

Emulsion paints, 2 colours

PVA Glue

Paper Artsy Grunge Paste

Marianne Creatables - Clock Face Die & Swirl

Martha Stewart Paper Clay

Treasure Brass - Gilding Wax

Book pages from stash.

Distress Inks

 

Thank you for taking time to stop by and leaving your wonderful comments.

 

Don't forget to add your name to my Candy.

 

As couple of people said they are having a problem with Mr Linky, I will include all the comment people into the draw. I will put all names into a box and get husband to pull the winner.

 

Huge hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

 

 



 

 



Tick Tock Fairy Clock

Hi everyone,

 

It was a nice change to see the sun yesterday, here in West Sussex. We did brave it and ventured out for a short walk. The wind was rather chilly but it was just nice to get some fresh air. It was a bit cloudy this morning, Sunday but got brighter as the day went on.

 

I spent both Saturday and Sunday mornings, cleaning the conservatory. I washed all the window frames, shelves and even the windows! As it is 5.5 metres by 5.5metres, there are a lot of windows. I didn't do the roof windows though! They are self cleaning on the outside and have a solar screening on the inside, to keep the temperature under control. 

 

I really enjoyed making this clock a couple of weeks ago. I have been busy making Easter cards and orders for my card outlets, since making this.

 

It started life as a canvas, which I covered with papers that were torn and distressed. I then applied some Paper Artsy Grunge Paste, through a few different masks around the edges, which I bought from The Craft Barn in South Nutfield, Surrey.

 

The three larger butterflies I made with Martha Stewart Paper Clay. I think I am going to get addicted to this Clay! It is so easy to mould and can't wait to have more time to play with it. 



 

 

The numbers I did on the computer and used a flower die to cut them out. The tiny butterflies are the waste, from the Nestie that I used to cut out the centre piece of the clock. It was a scrap of Co-ordinations card, which I sanded around the edges.

 

 

The fairies are all from Lili Of The Valley. The first one is my all time favourite fairy stamp, 'Tiptoe'. I just think she is so beautiful and delicate. I have coloured all of them with Distress Markers and Inks.

This next one was from my latest purchase from LOTV. I think they are so cute and they are called 'Friends Forever'. I love the little boots, the one on the right has on.

 

Now this is Bumble Bee Fairy. I stamped her and then cut away the bumble bee and flower that she was looking at. Hence the name!

 

This fairy is 'Fairy With Dove'. I think she is going to be my second favourite fairy. She was so lovely to colour. 

 

 



Don't forget to put your name on my blog candy. There are a few metres of each, lace, ribbon and trimmings. The  3 rubber stamps, were very kindly donated from Sandy, the owner of The Craft Barn, where I also bought the Tando Mask and the Prima Flowers. The paper pad I bought at Sandown. I also forgot to put in the picture, a pack of 120 assorted colours and sizes of sticky backed jems. So have a go and good luck.

 

Thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments. You know that they are really appreciated.

As requested I am entering this into LOTV challenge - Song title - Rock around the Clock!

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Lady In The Pink

Hi everyone,

 

Firstly, I must thank all of you, that left me the lovely messages on my last posting. It lifted me, from a depressing weather week, we have just had here in the south. It would be even better, if you could become a follower, just to boost my humble number a bit higher!Lol! I think I must find out how to post some Candy to give away! Sees a bit teccy for me but will look into it.

 

Today's stamp is from a set of lady stamps from Kan Ban. They are called The Cavendish Ladies-Putting On The Ritz.  There are 3 large ladies, sentiments, small flowers, a corner and family titles in the set.

 

She was stamped onto water colour board and I used Distress markers and inks to colour her.  The backing paper has come out rather pinker than it actually is.

It was so dark and miserable when I took the picture, I had to put the light on. It is from Tim Holtz, Idea-ology Paper Pad, of DI matching papers. It is Victorian Velvet colour.  You can see the real colour on the next piccie. I also seem to have a piccie missing, one of the complete card! Dooh!!

 

I backed it with a die cut piece of dark silver card, from my stash. I also splattered a bit of Antique Ivory Frantage around the image.

 

 

 

Now you can see the real colour of the backing paper below!

 

I found this embelly in my bits box. You know what I mean, we all have one!! It was from when I used to play with Friendly Plastic. That is what it is, just heated and stamped into when hot. I think the stamp was an old Judikins cube stamp set.

 

 

I think I should of cropped this next image a bit more! I love this colour Combo. Victorian Velvet, Black Soot and Weathered Wood.

 

 

If anyone can give me a few tips on posting Candy, please email me. All will be greatly received!!

 

Hope you like my C&S offering. It's not often I truly like my makes. We are usually very self critical but I actually like this card. I think it is the colour combo for me. 

 

Well, tomorrow the weather is supposed to be much better. The sun is popping out a bit today but the wind is really blowing a gale out there. I think I must have a full crafty day today! Tough, I know!

 

Have a great weekend and stay safe.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

The Birdie Song!!

Hi Everyone,

 

What mad weather today. Got up to sun and blue sky and then within 15 minutes, we had black sky, thunder and hailstones! Then sun again and half an hour later, back to hailstones!! Think this must be the format for the day.

 

We had some fantastic news this week. My husband's brother lives on his own in Australia and has been undergoing treatment for bowel cancer for the past year. He saw his oncologist on Monday and was told that the tumour has gone and he is now in remission!! The timing couldn't have been better, as he celebrated his 60th birthday on Tuesday. He celebrated with some friends in Melbourne, 2 very famous Australian blues guitarists. What a great start for 2014. It has been very difficult to support him from the UK. Now we are all much happier.

 

I am going to enter this card into the Lili Of The Valley Challenge, which is a song title. I wasn't going to call this card 'The Birdie Song', but the title I thought of, was written on a scrap paper on my desk and got thrown away last night! I can't remember what it was! Sad!! Even sadder, this was all I could think of, a song I hate! Tweet Tweet!!

 

Never mind, as I love this LOTV image and it can be used for any occasion. I coloured the birds and birdhouse with Copics and added Stickles Star Dust all over the flowers etc.

 

The backing paper was from my stash. I think it was a freebie from a magazine. I am still trying to do C&S cards but still find it hard. Not too sure about this one. Just looks plain to me. Even my bow has the droops! Lol!

The sentiment is from Annette's blog Nettys Cards. If you use the link, you will find loads of sentiments that she has designed, for you to download FREE! Her blog is fun to follow too, as she is really funny. Gorgeous cards of course.

I felt a close up of the image was needed, as it is so delicate. I have added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer pearlescent glue around the heart.

Hope you like my card more than I do! I am entering it into the following challenges:

Lili of the Valley Monthly Challenge - Song Title-The Birdie Song
Crafty Little Fairies - Love

    Papertake weekly - Anything Goes

       Through the Craftroom Door- Anything Goes

        Craft-deebowz - Anything Goes         

See, I am keeping up my New Year resolution and entering some challenges! I really want to try and get some more followers. Thanks Jen, for joining me last week.

Hope you have a great weekend and the weather is not too bad where you are.

Thanks for stopping by and your lovely messages are gratefully received.

Hugs,

Carol S.xx
 

Fairy Hanger.

Hi everyone,

 

I think, finally my mojo is slowly returning. With the Christmas break and then I started my family scrapbook, I lost my direction. I knew I had to start making stock for my markets but couldn't get going. I also think the dark, miserable days we are having, certainly are not helping. Can't wait for Spring.

 

Then thankfully, Lili of the Valley had a sale! Yippee! They have another one at the moment. These are two of the stamps I bought. I already had the small canvas boards, which I bought from The Craft Barn, as a set of three.

 

 

 

This first stamp is Fairy With Dove. I really liked her but was amazed just how gorgeous she is, when painted. I used Distress Inks on watercolour board, 350gsm. Their wings and dresses have a touch of Stickles Star Dust on them. Also I used Liquid Pearls on the dress.

The next board is a saying I found online. The author is unknown. 

The next stamp is Forever Friends. These two are so cute. I love the one on the right is wearing her wellies.

 

Lili of the Valley never fail, in giving us beautiful stamps. I felt that there was no need for any embellishments, as the images are strong enough on their own.

 

I used a fine white ribbon to tie them all together. I couldn't get the ribbon at the top in the picture, or you wouldn't be able to make out what it was!Lol!!

 

 

 

I have already started my next project. Guess what?!! These two fairy stamps will feature again!

 

Well off to bed now. I have been very naughty and not going to bed until 2am. On Sunday, I didn't wake up until 10.45am!! I think I needed to catch up, as 4 or 5 hours a night are not really enough.

 

Thank you for taking time to visit. I love reading your comments. They brighten the day, as the weather certainly doesn't! The thunder storm has just thankfully stopped.

 

I have entered this into Lili of the Valley Monthly challenge - Anything LOTV goes.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

We're Still Hot!!

Hi Fellow Bloggers,

 

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. It hasn't rained today! Hooray!! There is no wind either and we even saw the sun. Do you remember what that is?;)

 

I bought this stamp from the Craft Barn a couple of weeks ago. It's from Art Impressions and the sentiment is also AI. I just needed another humorous stamp in my stash.

 



 

 

I coloured them with Distress Inks, stamped onto 350gsm water colour card. I added a little Sakura glitter pens on their glasses frames, also some Stickles on their earings and outfits.

 

 

I really enjoyed making this card. I had a smile on my face all the time! I'm easily pleased!Lol! Just thought it might appal to my more mature ladies!

 

 

I spent quite a time cleaning my craft room today. Boy did it need it. I have just got to finish making my Granddaughter's birthday card. She is 8 on Monday. (going on 18!!)

 

I am going with a friend, to a Craft Fair at Sandown Park on Thursday. Just hope the weather is like it was today. It's not as big as Ally Pally but good for a top up of stash.

 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and thank you for popping into my world. I love reading your comments and if you are not a follower, I would love it if you could take the time to join. Just to boost my pathetic number!

 

Hugs,

 

Carol S.xx

Just Flowers

Hi everyone,

 

It's been blimmin' cold here today. About 4 degrees this afternoon and dark and miserable.

 

I have spent all afternoon, playing with my photo program, that I have had for a few months. It was just a new version of my old one, but much more complicated! I couldn't find where to fade or add fade-out designer frames to my photos. The program is now in 4 different parts. Ugh!!!

 

As you can see below, I have finally found where to do it and then to get my photos into blogger. It's now a very fiddly process, so don't know how often I will do it! I bet it was designed by a bored bloke!!

 

I just had to show you these new dies I have. They are Sizzix, Susan's Garden, Thinlits Dies. I am sure you too probably already have them, but I bought them a just before Christmas.

 

The first one I got was the rose. I made it from double sided paper that I have had for years. Everyone that has seen it, thought it was real. It looks very fragile but actually, it is really robust.

 

 

 

 

You also get the dies for the bud which I did with blue paper. Don't ask why blue!!

 

The next ones I bought, are the Poppy and Pansy/Violet sets. You also get the leaves that go with the flowers. I had made the Pansy and Violets, but my Granddaughter pinched them, before I had the chance to photo them!

 



Because the rose is rather large, 3 1/2" or 8.5cm across, it is too big for cards but great for boxes. I hope they come out with a set suitable for cards. What I did have a go at, was down sizing the petals. You get 4 sizes and different shaped petal dies. I drew around them onto paper and then reduced them down by half. It did work, but as you need loads of petals for each flower, it was very time consuming. Not doing it again for a while!

 

Well at least I have had some success today. I now have to sort and list a rack of cards, to take to my Charity for tomorrow.

 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and thanks for taking time to visit my little blog.

 

Hugs,

 

Carol s.xx