Rattytattys Paper Raving Blog

Challenge 26. Something with Whiskers

2009-01-15T05:00:00.002Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well 1stly I have to appologise to my team mates for messing up the challenge LOL.

Secondly I have to admit that my challenge examples are not all that I hoped they would be. Due to the fact that since just after Christmas i have my 23 year old daughter and 1 year oldf grandson back home camped out in my craftroom. With half of their belongings.

So just getting anything to work with was a challenge in itself. Although its lovely to have my grandson at home.

Our sponsor Joanna Sheen sent is some amazingly cute and useful stamps to play with, and the prize stamps are really really cute as well.

Anyway less of the addo

So here are my examples

Here is my old bag card. Does anyone know how to photograph mirriboard as It just looks really bad on all of my cards. Anyway You may wonder where the whiskers are on this card, But all old bags have whiskers.
I stamped the cup onto mirri board and it looks great in real life . I distressed the edge of the card as all boys love to get grubby

A really girly card made with the footballer set. I just love the adaptability of the stamps they don't just have to be for the boys.

Well its now 2am Thursday morning and I am shattered, we have been running around looking at houses for the last 4 days and I have also been looking after my grandson. I must admit to be absolutly shocked at how tiring it is. Im feeling like a very old bag tonight .

Night all

This Thursday Naughty or Nice

2008-12-11T05:00:00.000Z

The This Thursday challenge this week is sponsored by Cosmo Cricket.

Yippiee. We were sent the most stunning Christmas papers. I adore them. Every die cut embellishment, Every journalling card , and sentiment border. In fact there isn.t a single pice of paper that I don't love

Anyway the challenge was Naughty or Nice and I choose nice . So here are my examples for this week

Entitled Jakes 1st Christmas is almost here . I used the most georgeous paper for the background its trully stunning . everything except the trees The snowflakes and the deer embellie bottom right came from the pack. They are so easy to put together and create a lovely layout.

This card uses a journaling block and a diecut star from the pack . Plus both the papers as well > I added Zoomz to the tips of the star and a brad Thats all

This Simple snowman card takes a couple of minutes. I poped out the diecuts for thr snowman Cut a strip of the striped paper and cut A happy Christmas from one of the border strips . Everything is from the pack

Here are my 2 Babys 1st christmas cards. I used a bookatrix board and mirriboard for the backs. The one on the left is for a little boy The one on the right for a little girl . I used die cuts on the card on the left. Then used the apetures as templates to create the ones on the right . I added some gems and ribbons.

We have decided that this is the last challenge before Christmas. this will give the design team time to catch up on Chritmas preparations and allow me to make sure that This Thursda starts with a bang in the new year.

So Happy Christmas everyone

This Thursday challenge 24

2008-12-04T05:00:00.000Z

The challenge at This Thursday , this week is Mistletoe and Wine. Which I must admit I found slightly challenging at 1st as I own no wine images or embellies.

As most of my recent Christmas projects have been contemporary I decided to go with a traditional feel So I raided my Joanna Sheen CD for some Mistletoe images. So here are my three very traditional Christmas cards.

This card has textured wallpaper from a wallpaper sample book that I got from a wallpaper shop. Great for unusual backgrounds . I cut all the edges deckle. always reminds me of christmas . The central oval is decoupaged on the 1st which I edged with white glitter

This Is my Mistletoe and champagne card . I decoupaged this great image from Joanna sheen created a dl card black with white glitter paper. the ribbons were from a Ideal world kit

I love this image it was a free download not Joanne sheen If you type in mistletoe and vintage into google and look for images . A great freebee download site comes up. If I get a chance later today I will put ite details in,

Anyway thats it for me for today , am looking after my grandson who is teething so I am fitting the blogs in around him. Oh but hes so cute.

This Thursday Challenge 23

2008-11-27T05:00:00.001Z

Hello

Well I am feeling a lot better than I was , so I hope I will soon be back to my usuall self and managing to get comments on all your entries.

Anyway this week our sponsor is Funky Fairies Papercrafts and we got to play with the lovely Chocolate Covered Christmas download and the Cristmas rounds Download. I really could nt believe just how much there was in the Chocolate Covered Christmas download. Word albums, A brag Book all sorts of boxes. A brilliant set of papers and loads and loads more as well. So I really had to stop myself as I still have so many ideas to work on .
Anyway here are my examples for this week.

I used 2 of the brilliant shaped mats from the download for this card . I also used my graphcs package to copy and paste the Merry Christmas from one of the other trees onto this one

I was really amazed to find word albums in the download , and they are so easy to use. I thought that the Joy album would be a great Gift for a little girls Christening . I used Prima flowers and jems and the sticker at the end says Bloom

I printed of lots of trees and made this tree border card

I loved all the boxes that were on the CD> I used my graphics package to place one of the mats on the center of the box before printing out > Iadded Prma flowers and some jems to finish.#

These were from the Christmas rounds. I used my graphics package to remove all the white. Then used fill to fill the different areas with the papers from the download. I used different sized fills of the same papers.I thought that these would be a great way to decorate your christmas table . I printed the large one as big as I could get it onto an A4 sheet. Just print off how many you need. Cheap quick and cheerful I added glitter pen in the wording and on the swirls . I am going to make matching paper napkin rings , with the same rounds on the front. I am also going to make some Christmas card hangers with these as the tops for my dining room .

Hope you like these.

catch you laters

This Thursday challenge 22

2008-11-20T05:00:00.000Z

Hello all

Thanks for your comments last week.

Well feeling slightly better this week. So I have managed three examples for this week. This weeks challenge is playing with paint so I got my watercolour paints out as I havn't used them for ages.

Our sponsor is Toodle and Binks a new stamp manufacturer you can see them at http://www.toodlesandbinks.wordpress.com/,

We had three great stamps to play with. They are quite whimsical images which are not usually my style but I really enjoyed using them . Plus Zooms which I now love . They are small glass nugets with no holes which are great as they give amazing dimention .

anyway here are my three examples

I coloured the stamped image with watercolour paints and I really love this little dear stamp its so cute I added Zooms to create a border. The papers were both from a pack of Mic papers
I used powder paint on this canvas, I bought these paints ages ago they are very strongly pigmented . So I wet the canvas and sprinkled dry paint over the canvas. I stamped the image onto pearlescent card and onto a handmade paper which i cut out for the wings. I also added clear sakura glitter gel dots to the dress. I then used Cosmo Cricket rub ons for the Whimsy and flourish . I think the rub ons are called beautiful . Then added some Zooms
I used Cosmo Cricket get happy papers added some White acrylic smudges around the edges. I used the Pop quiz peice from the get happy paper pack and Stamped simone onto it. I used watercolours to colour stamped image. I added some pop questions about the 80#s. Added the reality Check from the same paper pack . Stamped Oh my God we're getting so old along the top and bottom wedhes. then stamped some random retro flowers . I added the die cut Cosmo cricket flower and a Zoom for the centre. Then I folded a 12 by 12 sheet od DCWV card in half and adhered panel for an XL DL card .

So thats my efforts for this week. Can't wait to see what you all come up with

Challenge 21 Marvelous metalics

2008-11-13T05:00:00.001Z

Hello everyone

Sorry about there not being a challenge last week, and it being at such short notice, but I was editing the blog on Wednesday last week, When i started getting chest pains that then radiated out and went down my left arm. After about 12 minutes I got a little worried and rang my sister, who told me to ring the doctor , who sent an ambulance and I spent 5 hours in A and E.

Fortunatly we have accertained that its not my heart, but I am still getting chest pains on and off so its being investigated, but I think you will agree an excellent excuse for not having the challenge last week LOL Especially as Susie also was very unwell as well.

So here is the long awaited challenge 21 Well my entries for it anyway.

The prize this week I am sure you will agree is a great set of stamps from Crafty Individuals. I loved using the tree set and can't wait to add the other stamps from the seasons set to them, I also just nipped to craft individuals to check my link and saw this

Stunning stamp another for my list, if you like it the link is here http://www.craftyindividuals.co.uk/cgi-bin/shop_products.cgi?320

So here are my 2 examples

I love this large tree stamp and just know that I will use it over and over and over again. I created an inked background using sponges then stamped the tree and gold embossed it and added gold fleur de lys stickers and a gold miss you acrylic sentiment . I coloured the peel off borders in stripes of orange red green and yellow permanant markers which works very well. The paper is from Cosmo Crickets Flueriste papers which I really adore

This is a Christmas card. I inked the background with purple, lilac, very light blue and light blue ink. I then used the fill each day with joy stamp from the set and randomly stamped in dark blue and Dark purple on the background. I stamped the tree in white ink and embossed with snowflake embossing powder. I then used an embossing pen to add dots of snowflake embossing all over the background. I love the stamps as they are well etched and even using snowflake embossing powder which is quite thick you can still see all the detail.

Anyway thats me for this week

Tracey

This Thursday challenge 20

2008-10-30T05:00:00.000Z

Well I still have the flu and so my post this week is going to be very short and sweet.

As usual there is a great prize on offer at this thursday. Prize this week is sponsored by tanda stamps and is a great set of contemporary christmas stamps

The challenge on This Thursday this week is to go Mojo surfing .

So here is where I went surfing

http://ribenaruby.blogspot.com/ folded card

http://inkcicles.blogspot.com/ clip and string

The above two were my main inspration to use clips and styring and cards with some sort of fold

But I also included below as extra inspiration
http://onedragonsdream.blogspot.com/ inchy

http://www.audreyart.blogspot.com/ bandana technique

http://ultramum.wordpress.com/ green and blue

Thank you to all the above for their inspiration

So here are my two examples this week. There would have been more but have been so unwell that I couldn't do much crafting

I wanted to create a folded card that could include inchies, but in the end decided to create twinchies instead. So I folded a sheet of 12 by 12 to create this and adhered clips on each corner to create the tie closure,

I created the twinchies by double embossing with either blue or green embossing poweder. Then embossed with clear. The stamped images in white and embossed with white embossing powder. then added silver embossing powder to the edges. The images and border are from Tanda Stamps Art deco stamp set 1

I wanted to do something different with clip and string and a folded card This is what i came up with

I coloured the clip Blue on the outside and green in the centre which dosn't show up in the photo . Tied fibre around the clip adhered it to an inch square with inked edges. I then made two diagonal cuts at the base of the card and folded twice to create a plant pot shape. Then pressed it downwards so there wasn't a noticable gap when stood up . I made leaves in the fibre . Then with a craft knfe cut a small hole to thread the fibre into the plant pot. I then stmped my greting and edged with white soufflee pen

This thursday challenge 19

2008-10-23T05:00:00.000+01:00

Our challenge on This Thursday this week is called Thrown a curve You can use it as a title, or you can use anything that curves, Arches, Arcs, Circles. Ovals , Waves, squiggles
etc
So anyway my examples for this weeks challenge were made by myself, in bed due to being flued up . Well other than the printing out . However I really enjoyed playing around with the wonderful "tis the season" Cd from Pink Petticoat. I really wanted to print out some of the designs onto fabric to make some fabric cards and a mini quilt and also am now making some paper wrap beads to make a charm braclet. I am going to print some of the Robins onto shrink plastic to make little charms to hang on the braclet.

I keep having more ideas with things I want to do with the papers, not just making Christmas cards but so much more, talking to Susie and Barbara I think they are much the same.

Anyway here are my 5 examples for this week. er yes 5! told you I got carried away .

I love the Pink Petticoat Christmas toppers as they are outlines only which enables you to customise them as you want. I printed the large circles paper onto cardstock and then cut a card blamk with wavy edges then used a hole puch around the edge. I Cut out the topper again with wavy edges. Watercoloured in pale blue around the edges and then watercoloured the image . I added pale blue pearls in the corners.

I realized that the toppers would make really great Christmas tags. I inked the edge with an Encore Ultimate metalic ink pad. That has 4 colours. Then I cut a peice of card with my wavy cutter and used this as a ruller to add the wavy edges in Sakura starburst. The image itself is coloured using Sakura Starburst. Glaze and souffle pens .

I used a Whispers Oval tearing template to create the center. The paper was so striking that you really don't need to do much to have a lovely card. I added Starburst clear pen over the black hearts and the white snowflakes on the paper Then added some pearls to the three main hearts I then used snowflake paper with a white background and a striped paper cut both with wavy cutter to create the border. I added some wavy clear sakura sparkle lines to the light lines on the stripes paper Then wrote Merry in the top heart and Christmas on the band. Plus added some more pearls .

This dosn't show up very well as I have added loads of sparkle which hasn't shown up. I edged all the paper in Copper leaf pen. I cut out the tree shapes with my wavy cutter. I love the falala paper its so cute. So I used it for the centre tree. I wanted the trees to stand a bit proud so I only adhered them to the paper at the base of the card. I added Sakura glitter to the torn white edge and also added stars in the sky Plus drew tinsel lines on the trees

I had to make a card for my friend for her birthday and she loves both contemporary and vintage so it seemed an ideal time to make her card. I walnut inked the edges of the paper and the image. I added some ricrak for the waves. I stamped My best with some Studio K alphabet stamps from Dovecraft and then added the stickers which i had from QVC about 3 years ago which I still haven't finished using Then went around the edge of the stickers with black pen to highlight the friend .

I sill have printed off 2 sheets of harlequin paper which is stunning and 2 of the small flowers papers which are also ace which I can't wait to use . Plus the papers that I am using for the beads

So thats it from me this week, Catch you all later

This Thursday , Challenge 18

2008-10-16T05:00:00.002+01:00

Helloooooo

Well we've a new challenge at this thursday. Surprise surprise. Same as every thursday LOL

Well this weeks challenge is entitled Art from your heart.

We want you to create something inspired by someone or something you love, or create something with techniques that you love. You can use your fav poem or music. Make something for or about someone you love, or as per usual just let the title inspire you. Whatever floats your boat.

This week I have three examples and I am going to keep my fav till last.

I used a clear button and stamped on the back of it with stazon to create a patterned button . I love these orange flowers which i got by taking apart some flowers from the pound shop This card also uses the Navel Jelly photocorners and Purple gems suplied by this weeks brilliant sponsor as part of the design kit and part of this weeks prize . Our sponsor is 3 D Jean .
This card was created using the stamp supplied as part of the prize. I a stamped it and then went over some of the areas with Sakura clear glitter gell pen, In real life this looks like a silver frame . I spritzed my card with terracotta mist, The blue is paper is a peice of greaseproof paper spritzed with aqua and blue glimmer mists ( It looks fantastic in real life) Then I used the navel Jelly heart and some of the gems again
This is my most favorite. It uses the most loved photo I have ever taken. Its of my grandson Jake. I have used it before to create a digi lo , but wanted to create a paper lo as well. So I used Prima paintables which I carefully paint splattered very lightly with pale green watercolour Then watercoloured coloured all the areas. Then positioned my photo lightly drew round it with pencil. Then painted the border. Then adhered the photo . Then I painted the corners with watercolour as well . I added gems to the butterfly body, the middle of the heart in the corners and the flower centers. I highlighted the veins in the butterfly wings with sakura clear glitter pen

So thats it for this week

However you must pop to Susies , Barbaras or my blog on Sunday to see what anouncements we have about next weeks challenge.

This Thursday challenge 17

2008-10-09T05:00:00.001+01:00

Well last week I said we had been going for 3 months, you may have noticed that we had actually been going for 4 months LOL Thats why Im not a maths teacher. LOl

Anyway this week the challenge on This Thursday is The spooky season , with a brilliant sponsor Artistic outpost and a very brilliant set of stamps by our sponsor, as the prize

A really fab set of halloween stamps

Anyway here are my examples for this week

I spritmy stamp with an aqua glimmer mist and stamped the witch image. Then stamped over it with stazon black
I spritzed bubble wrap with terracota mist and pressed it onto a sheet of white paper, Stamped random Purple pumpkins in Purple and then random "Hello Punkin" in orange to create the background. I then used a sponge to put stripes of the same purple and orange inkpads along a strip of paper then stamped Halloween in black along the strip. I then stamped the witch and aain using the sponge added orrange to her dress m and purple to her hat and cloak. I added a touch of pink to her cheeks with the sponge tip

I used purple textural paper and tore a white cored orange paper > the adhered them to the front of the card. Then I inked the edges in black. I stmped the little boy image. Used bronze and puple starburst sakura pens and the watercolour technique to colour around the boy. I then inked the edges with Orange ink

This Thursday challenge 16

2008-10-02T05:20:00.003+01:00

Well
we have been going 3 months already and I know I have enjoyed playing our challenges with you.

So this weeks challenge is called Wave the flag So you can take inspiration from any flag . wether it be the colours or shapes or as per usual you can use the title.

Our sponsor this week is Dinky Dots crafts. The prize is a set of 6 cute stamps

I had the football fan stamp. although you could easily use him for any little boy occasion, due to the theme wave the flag he has ended up a bit of a sports fan.
I did ave an idea of using him as a builder of a snowman. With the title job well done, but couldn't get the flag to work /So anyway here are my examples for this week

I am very proud to be british, and also am very proud of our olympic team this year . So this is a card for a friend of mine who is male and also very proud of being british
I am not really into football, but I had some Dovecraft masculine papers and chipboard and I thought they would work well with th theme. I stamped the boy onto card. Then cut him out stuck him onto the soccer is a kick in the grass Then the chipboard football border onto that. I then atuck the whole thing onto an A5 card blank with the boys head just over the fold edge of the card. Then cut around the whole thing.

I coloured this boy in the colours of the itialian flag, and gave him a darker toned skin. I put a ribbon strip around a square coregated card blank. Then attached a section of Dovecraft paper to the top (he shoots he scores) and the chipboard sticker to the bottom.

So thats my examples for this week.

Catch you all next week

This Thursday challenge 15

2008-09-25T05:00:00.001+01:00

Hello
This thursdays challenge this wek is called Get a round tuit. So we were expected to get around to craft projects that we have put off.

Our sponsor The Craft Emporium sent us a lovely selection of 7 gypsies papers embellishments ribbon etc. I love 7 gypsies and was astounded to see how many 7 gypsies products our sponsor stocks. If you love 7 gypsies you really should take a look

Anyway my examples this week

Well this is a journal that some friends and myself are passing around. The theme was butterflies and I had the photos but no ispiration for weeks. When the 7 gypsies papers arrived I knew that the challenge get around to it and the papers would work really well with the photos . The evidence ribbon also worked so well as did the eriouslt rub on. all I added was the perfect stamp which stamped imperfectly just because it could. Well that and the fact that it was on uneven seurface . I cut strips of the three papers I think they go so well with the photo/

I have been meaning to do something with half flowers punched out around the edge I like the effect of the randomly punched edge but will be trying it on a stamped image , which i think will be really effective. The Tres chic is a rub on, on a 7 gypsies sticky lable from a small book of lables and the paper with the flowers stmped out of the edge is 7 gypsies also.

This was a small NSPCC charity tin I bought a few as I thought they would look good altered, I can't even remember how long ago that was. Quite a while anyway.
All the papers are 7 gypsies as is the heart which was punched out of a peice of black and transparent acetate. it looked like a small file page in acetate The handle and keys are also 7 gypsies as is the through thicjk and thin rub on. I must admit I loved every single thing in the design pack, although I havn't had chance to use them all . all the papers were fab as was the buckle and the clear buttons. All the 7 gypsies is available from our sponsor

Anyway here is a before and after pic of the tin

So thats it for me for this week. Catch you all later

This Thursday challenge 14

2008-09-18T05:00:00.000+01:00

The challenge this week is called Masquarade. You can use the theme Masqaurade , Masks, or masking techniques.

The prize for this week is any Tanda stamp stamp sheet. Donated by Tracey The winner will choose the stamp sheet of their choice. So they can have clear or rubber, backgrounds or images. A great prize

I have created two examples this week

After the ball is over card

and

My version of a venitian mask.

Hope you like the examples , and catch you next week

Have just opened a flickr account to show holiday photos

2008-09-14T17:29:00.003+01:00

Have opened a flkcr account which you can check in with if you want
HERE although im not expecting to add any photos for a while
These are my holiday phots and a couple from previous holidays which sort of go with them

This Thursday challenge 13

2008-09-11T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hi all I am back from my two weeks break and boy did I need it. Although I do feel a bit like I left my mojo on a beach in Scotland , as I am so chilled out, that I found it hard to get back into actually doing something LOL.

The challenge this week on This Thursday is

The Stashbuster raid. so we want you to raid your stash dig out the oldest stash you have to create examples for this weeks challenge and enter them HERE

My examples this week are

My vintage style pen holder. Made from a sheet of paper from Provocraft vintage scrap pad Ive had for ever and ever The picture is a bit deceptive the front actually is a lot lower than the back and shows the decorated interior much better. It just would nt show up on the photo no matter what angle I photographed it at.

I don't know where I got the flower paper from but it actually was right at the botom of my oldest stash box . I can't remember whos paper the other peice is , and The section I had left gave me no clues, was it 7 gypsies I really can't remember it must be my age. I had 3 sheets of it origianaly but its truly slipped my mind.

and finally

I have never made a layout without actual photos (except in a class), but with photos in mind. Every year i promise myself that i will take a photo of my ornamental cherry tree on one of the two days it actually has blossom on it LOL. When I put together the anna griffin paper with the celebrate spring paper, both of which have been knocking about for a long time. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. So I am definatrly taking a large pic of the full tree and two small detail pictures , Everything is ready except the tree. LOL

This Thursday challenge 12

2008-09-04T05:00:00.000+01:00

Hello all

Challenge 12 on This Thursday was choosen to celebrate This thursday's Susie getting married last thursday. She wore white with black detailing, a stunning dress, with a beautiful tiara, necklace and earings.

So we decided the challenge would be Black is back, so we want to see plenty of black and any other colours you would like to add. So here are my examples this week

So here is a clipboard I altered. The paper is black white and a pale mustard yellow. I used pale yellow flowers on the ribbon stip and a large white flower with a small yellow flower on the clip.

Here is my little bits of me layout. Its probably a good job you can't see the smaller writing becasue you would find out all my terrible faults as well as some of my finer points. LOL

I also made this 10 by 4 album, I have yet to decide exacly what i am going to do with it. I sort of had three ideas when I was making it,

1 I am going to add pages for each year of my grandsons life with some of the hundreds of photos I already have of his 1st 8 months. *although I may need a bigger album for that one, LOL

2 Photos of me at various ages, not so keen on that one.

3 Make it a record of my example peices from This thursday challenge ( this is probably most likely choice) But I really really am pleased with how well this turned out. I was thinking that I could have black pages with a touch of colour to compliment the photos.

so thats it for me this week/ will catch you all later

This Thursday challenge 11

2008-08-28T05:00:00.001+01:00

Hi
Now this week and next I am otherwise occupied and will be unable to come and post comments on your entries. Please don't think that i can't be bothered, I always love looking through the entries at This Thursday because your work is always varied, magnificent and inspirational.

Anyway this weeks challenge on This Thursday is Its a puzzler. So you can use puzzle peices. alter puzzle peices , use the title, make your own puzzle, or portray something that puzzles you, eg, Men, The offside rule, why football is considered so important, Whatever takes your fancy

Anyway here are my offerings this week,

This is one of my favorite peices that i have ever made, I used some cheap card puzzle peices. I embossed the patterned side with copper and silver embossing powder. I worked on a teflon sheet, so that when i heated the other side i would not lose all the embossing on the back . I then turned them over and 1st embossed with verdigree, then reheated it and sprinkled on light blue, reheated then sprinkled on silver, then again with lilac, then dark blue then dark purple. I am going to be making loads of these as you can wear it reversed.

This was a cheapcomplete alphabete foam jigsaw from the works that i bought years ago, thinking that I could do something with it. Mostly Caps for scrapbook pages. However I thought I would make a hanger ffor my craft room I added glitter, copper leafing, acrylic paint. Stazon Brads, papers mists Tags and rub ons and stamping. Its a bit brighter in real life.

I only made two examples this week, tut tut slacking a bit. Will try harded next week

This Thursday Challenge 10.

2008-08-21T05:00:00.004+01:00

Hello everyone

This weeks challenge on This Thursday, its all about is entitled Blings the thing, so we want to see sparkle, shimmer, glitz, metalics anything blingy.

Now I will warn you two of my peices are much more sparkly in real life than in my examples, shame that I could not get the sparkly bits to show up on my photos.

My 1st peice

I wanted to do something that was blibgy yet subtle although the two probably are mutually exclusive, The beads are a lot more sparkly in real life .

My second peice I edged with copper leafing pen, I also edged the grungebaord letters . I added clear sakura glitter over some of the details in each of the papers. . The ribbon is shimmery. So again anopther subtley blingy peice/

However nothing subtle about example 3

I used a terracotta mist over a whit slide mailer. Then silver embossing poweder in various areas and various depths. I stamped the butterfly stamp into the thick area of embossing powder. Then coloured areas with copper leafing pen. I cut 4 strips of friendly plastic and adhered to front of mailer. Then heated, and dragged friendly plastic comb through in three directions

The inside I made friendly plastic corners. Then I cut up sections of friendly plastic in large bits for the top and 3rd slide sections and small bits for the 2nd and 4th sections. Heated and then pulled it around with a needle. Then embedded multi coloured gems and pearls into each section

So that is this weeks examples Hope you like them.

This Thursday also has 4 papers for you to download today

You can download them here Free Paper Downloads or you can download them on This thursdays free printables page, along with many more papers

Tracey

Challenge 9 for This Thursday

2008-08-14T05:00:00.008+01:00

Its been another hectic week, where a lot has happened. Unfortunatly Fiona of This Thursdays design team has decided to leave . due to being amazingly busy with other projects. Suzie and I are sad to see her go.

Our challenge on This Thursday this week is "Colour is my obsession" which is a quote by Monet. You can work in your favorite colours. or colour. Or just use loads of colour. We will also except entries inspired by Monet

The prize is 10 digital collage sheets from our sponsor Lisas Altered art She has some really useful and unusual collage sheets

So here are my entries for this week all using Lisas images and phrase sheets

I used this collage image from one of the collage sheets. I lifted the colour of the clothes and created a background . I used one of the free doodle overlay downloads from one of This Thursdays free downloads. I love the phrases on Lisas sheets and I loved this balanced diet one.

This says. "Sometimes in a world so big I feel so small" I used Urban Rhapsody papers. I triple inked the edges, Starting with light pink quite deep. Then A distress ink pad in orange then a dark blue just around the edge . I also doodleed inside the florish just to give a bit more definition .

Finally my favorite peice that I have made this week , and certainly the one that took the most time

This is a gel medium paper that I made for the background. The 1st gel layer 1misted with blue and green glimmer mists and left to dry. Then the next layer had glittered ribbon inlayed and when it dried I added gold paint with bubble wrap. I also added some red acrylic ink and some plain ribbon. The final layer has purple, gold. green and a rust red glitter in various places. Which dosn't show up in the photo. I adored this little girl on the collage sheet she looks so delicate . The beaded braid came from dunhelm mill. I bought every colour they had last year , this is only the second time I have used some but it finished this so well.. This peice was inspired by two regular entrants to This thursdays challenge Barbara, and well I can't tell you who the other one is as she will be our new guest designer next week . But I love all her work and we are really pleased that she is joining our team .

There are 6 free papers which are available to download from this thursday project page or there will be a link below the post where you can download them direct.

Free paper download DOWNLOAD HERE

For other free paper downloads from This Thursday challenge blog http://thisthursday.wordpress.com/this-thursdays-free-printables/
Good luck everyone

This Thursday challenge 8

2008-08-07T05:00:00.001+01:00

Hi all
Wow I have had the most hectic two weeks, If i am honest Ive had the most hectic 3 months since Icame up with the idea to start This Thursday. I honestly haven't stopped except for a a couple of days when I really wasn't feeling well enough to do much. In some ways it seems like This thursday has been going much longer than that LOL.

These last two weeks I have been so busy that I have not designed any free papers this week or a project, but I have to accept that I am only human and as yet have not found a way to make a day longer than 24 hours. Although sometimes they feel longer. Ps its now 00.20 Thursday morning and here I am am still working.

So this weeks challenge is sponsored by Ribbon Oasis and have a wonderful selection of ribbons as the prize, Check out the brilliant collection of ribbons at This Thursday

Anyway here are my examples for this week. All the ribbon is available from Ribbon Oasis and is in the this weeks This Thursday prize selection from Ribbon Oasis

I bought these card blanks years ago. They are papermania but they are a bit bendy but I love the colour and knew I had to use one with the lilac ribbon. I used a cuttlebug embossing folder , but actually debossed the design (then spent ages flattening the bendy card) . Then attached the ribbon either side, I think the butterfly is K and co

I wanted to do somthing really lush with the ribbon, and decided to do ruffles, I was going to sew them on but I have some purple making memories staples and loved them on this . I like the fact that the ruffles face into the card. The other ribbon is really cute and also from the prize selection

The paper and the Photo chipboard are from DCWV All dressed up range , The sticker was from a kit I bought from Create and craft. I made a double bow on bow tying thingy . The double bow works really well with this two tone ribbon that is also in the prize .

Well thats it for me for the moment, but I am hoping to continue this post later today after Ive had a couple of hours sleep , and managed to have some playing time and do a couple of challenges haven't even had a chance to take a look at any other challenges this week so i have no idea what challenges will inspire me tommorow

Catch you later

This Thursday challenge 7 and Saturdays workout Sponge techniques

2008-07-31T05:00:00.004+01:00

Well had a bit of a rough week , Mojo went on holiday, and did nt think that I would get my examples done for This Thursday's Winged things challenge however yesterday was very productive and managed to combine Saturdays Workout sponge techniques with one of my examples.

Our sponsor this week is The Artistic Stamper and The prize this week on This Thursday is a stamp plate of bugs, and butterflies and a pack of kling-on. What a great prize.

So here are my examples for this week, you should see our guest designer Hels Sheridan's example this week its truly beautiful.

1st we have my altered cuttlebug embossing folder, packaging. This is also my entry for Saturdays workout as I used cosmetic sponges with various inkpads to create the background. I stamped two different designs of flourishes one in black and then over the top a different flourish in silver.

The background for this Vintage card was using Moonglow Inks and then butterflys were stamped over the top.
I stamped the large butterfly in distress ink and coloured loosly with pencil to give a more hand drawn look. Before cutting in half and using as the wings for my No angel ATC

The stamp for this peice was made using scrap rubber left over after cutting out the stamps from the stamp sheet. There is a quicky project on the This Thursday project page explaining what I did.

This was started on Mojo gone Monday I stamped the background, then dropped my stamp on the right hand side making a huge mess, shame because the background was looking lovely. However yesterday, when I made my second scrap rubber stamp, the mosaic background, I decided to use it to cover the mess on the right hand side, Its not one of my best peices but its now to good to put in the bin.

This is my final peice and its my 1st attempt at Gel medium paper, also part of my Mojo gone monday crafting disaster day . Not that happy with it. I painted the medium onto a page protecter. embedded metal foil and different coloured tissue paper. added drops of re inker. Then stampedonto it then added a layer of tissue. Left to dry and then stamped onto it again.

As I said im not happy with it, but its a starting point, my next peice will be much better . I hope LOL

Mojo gone Monday

2008-07-28T22:54:00.002+01:00

Well it had to happen sooner or later, got up with a raging headache and (no I didn't have a drink last night) sat down with the beautiful stamps for this weeks challenge, and everything I attemped just seemed to go pear shaped, Colours ran when I didnt want them to, then didnt when i did, ,
Just couldn't get my head working right, all day everything I touched just went completely wrong , and to finish off I tipped a bowl of steaming soup over my hand .

Its never really happened to me before so I feel a bit lost without my mojo, I am busy all day tommorow, so maybe the break from crafting will do the job, I hope so as the examples have to be ready by Wednesday night at the very latest.

So I don't know what my examples for this weeks challenge will be but I do know that the other examples are brilliant. I just hope mine are good enough when I finish them.

Wylde women award

2008-07-27T10:58:00.004+01:00

Hi all and I have recieved a Wylde Women award (concieved by Tammy Vitale. who should get one of these for her amazing artworks. They are fantastic and really inspiring ) see them at http://www.tammyvitale.com/ I was given the award by Debbie http://bubble-deb.blogspot.com/ as she has already recieved an award i can only say that she deserves it for her great work and her inspiring blog and brilliant "Debs Designs" designs

the rules are

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.
2. Link back to this blogsite http://www.tammyvitale.com//) so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women

.and remember the Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

In fact I don't know if anyone has awarded Tammy one but after seeing her work, I definatly think she deserves one. So she is my 1st award

Rosie http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/ now what can you say about Rosie, I have been lucky enough to meet Rosie blogging, she is a warm, generous and inspiringly tallented lady and if anyone deserves this award she does.

I also award this to my two This Thursday teammates Susie http://whiteribboncards.blogspot.com/ and Fiona http://www.magickdiva.blogspot.com/ both of whom inspire me everyday with their enthusiasm , creativity and inspirational attitude.

I Also award this to Charli. http://charliscrafts.blogspot.com/ . Who at 16 I think can be called a young woman and if you disagree she is definaty a Wylde girl and Wylde woman of the future.

Finally i would like to award this to all the entrants at This Thursday http://www.thisthursday.wordpress.com/ whos work inspires me every week and who have given me the enjoyment of looking at their amazing peices of work . You should pop on and go and visit their blogs the amount of inspirational ideas I recieve from looking through their blogs every week is just phenomonal.
I am so lucky to know and have the joy of being surrounded by great and inspiring women.
Thank you alll

This Thursday challenge 6 . The golden rule Mixed media monday and Theme Thursday

2008-07-24T05:00:00.002+01:00

Well its been an amazingly busy week partly because I could nt resist making so many examples for this weeks challenge on This Thursday One idea lead to another idea and then another and so I have loads of examples. So the Theme is The golden Rule. based on a quote by William Morris and you have to Create something beautiful or useful

These are my a bit about what makes me me Bag panels . I had meant to do some more panels for my bag and i adored the effects of the Moonglow inks and Starburst stains supplied by our sponsor THE STAMPMAN . The prize this week is a set of 5 Moonglow mists thanks to The Stampman . A great prize

I made various papers by painting moonglow inks onto card. Then covering in creased cling film, or sprinkling salt onto it , or crunching it up when wet. i also sprayed some moon rock paper with The moonglow mists.

I created the basic panel with peices of each paper added some peel of boarders to highlight the gold in the panels.

I stamped some images and coloured them, but no matter how I coloured them they did nt create the effect iI wanted, So I stamped them on plain white card and I love the contrast it gives.

Each panel is titled A bit of , and we have Mystery and magic, Drama , History, Sea air, Fun and wildlife.

If you like these they were created with starburst stains and moonglow mists and there is a tutorial on the This Thursday project page.

So this is my Pull and push card. I misted on sheet of card with Starburst stains Alpine Ice Rose, Mist and the other both sides Edelweiss Moss Green I just adore the way these glimmer

I used some butterfly clear stickers and some fairy clear stickers to finish this off. Its a card for my butterfly and fairy mad neice.

Here is my screwed up grungeboard bangle , which I painted with Moonglow inks Volacious Violet , In one light it looks like a faded leather in another it has a metallic purple shimmer. I added some screw brads, Coloured a mm Flower purple and brown.

I wanted to show the moonglow inks of so you could see the different look when you change the angle so I dribbled some different colours onto white cardstock to create this background. I also painted the hessian ribbon as well, but the effect on that is really really subtle.

I also noticed that the Theme on Mixed Media monday was rust and knew I could create some rusty looking items with the Moonglow inks so here are my final peices both for Mixed Media Monday

This is my acrylic and acetate Lamp. I created an acrylic box using 3mm acrylic sheet , you can buy it HERE They aslo do 5mm acrylic sheet in A3 and A1 great for making your own acrylic albums . The lamp is lit with a changing bulb this is presrntly a purple light, it looks amazing as it changes , and when unlit too .

and unlit.

You can use moonglow mists and starburst stains on Acetate if you use inkjet acetate and spray on the rough side and leave to dry. Or you can use a heat gun carefully or if you want something that looks really unusual you can heat the acetate until it warps, Keep doing it until you are happy. then flatten a bit by heating with heat gun and pressing flat with acrylic block. I also used Acrylic inks which will dry on normal acetate which you can buy HERE

and my final peice

I think this looks like rusty enamel

You should see all the other examples by my talented team mates,

plus Theme Thursday Flowers

This is a mini acrylic album I made using the 3mm Acrylic sheet from www.fredaldous.co.uk

I used fusible fibre which came from www.thestampman.co.uk and heated it on the acrylic sheet

sprinked embossing powders over and heated it then flattened the sheet with an acrylic block

Interestingly the bind it all had no trouble punching through the 3mm acetate

So that is my final peice for Thursday hope you like it.

I also have some papers that you can download

and you can download them here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD There are 8 matching papers available on This Thursday free paper download page

An award and only 1 full day to get your This Thursday entries in

2008-07-22T17:30:00.003+01:00

I have recieved an award, and I must admit to being a bit lax when it comes to following awards through, or even posting Ive been featured, but I do promise that i will be better

Anyway I have recieved

From someone I have been lucky enough to meet blogging, The very very talented Charli whos 1st blog is http://charliscrafts.blogspot.com/
and whos second blog is http://www.charlisart.blogspot.com/
you should really take a lok at her amazing work, then check out her age and be amazed.
anyway the award comes with some rules you should nominate
1. Only 5 people allowed
2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the World
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

1 Heather Robinson A very friendly and creative lady http://creativesolace.blogspot.com/
2 Rosie a great friend and brill artist http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/
3 Susie my talented This Thursday Team matehttp://whiteribboncards.blogspot.com/
4Fiona my other very talented This Thursday teammate http://www.magickdiva.blogspot.com/

5 Racheal http://loopycrafting.blogspot.com/

Challenges galore friday

2008-07-18T15:43:00.007+01:00

Hi all

Well todayI have tried to do as many challenges as I can So here we go my 1st peice

Uses a picture from The CDRoms from This Thursdays challenge prize . I created my own papers of Inspire me Thursday Polka dots with a white and a grey background. I also used sequin waste to add more dots, I used Crazy Amigo Staples to hold together thr two sections of the Theme Thursday heart

My second peice is for one challenge only Make a moo or two. Mona lisa and friends

my third peice Is for ATC Wednesdays Circles and Rainbow ladys Orange

So thats my crafting for today. Don't forget to check out This Thursday for a chance to win over £40.00 worth of crafting CD roms

This Thursday challenge ALL Change

2008-07-17T05:03:00.003+01:00

Hi All

The challenge this week on This Thursday is all change, we have a great prize this week 3 CD roms

Which have been provided by our sponsor this week Little Lous Craft supplies . Prize value is a wopping £40.00 so an extra special thanks to Hayley from little lous

So here are my examples for the weeks challenge

As the theme was change for this card. I did nt use any of the backinbg papers on the cd I took a small section of the main image and blew it up with my photo editing softwear then ran a watercolour effect. I printed the background the mount and the image and flower embelishment

and the greeting as I panel and added fake stitching and borders with Sakura pens

I used the backing papers from the cd, but I also used the teabag papers, to create a small medallion as an embellishment

I think this although not yet completly finished will be my favorite peice. The image is printed onto fabric, wadded then quilted There is a project sheet available with suppliers at http://www.thisthursday.wordpress.com/ on the project page

I also altered a small tin with a small section of the image . There are so many more projects that I want to do with this Cd. My neice has ordered a t shirt. I am going to print the image onto fabric with a black border. Stitch onto the t shirt with border left free. Then fringe the border. I am going to print a number of the images onto shrink plastic and make a charm braclet. I am going to make matching earings and pendant . I am going to transfer some onto fimo. In fact Im sure that there are loads more projects that I will end up using these images for.

Oh our sponsor Little lous craft supplies is having a show on Create and craft tommorow 18th at 2pm showing some more great projects , and if you hang on till the 3pm show you will get a preview of our next weeks sponsor The Stamp man and possibly a hint at the prize next week.

I also have one of the papers from this weeks This Thursday downloads for you to download free.

You can download this free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD
If you like this one you can download more matching papers at THIS THURSDAY on the downloads page

I will be back on later today to do some more challenges so there is more to come

Mixed Media Monday , This Thursday

2008-07-14T09:39:00.011+01:00

Hi All Still not feeling 100 per cent but have managed to enter Mixed Media Mondays "Lets have tea"
have combined it with another example for This Thursdays Opposites Attract
I have used a muted main image and a bright background . Don't forget you have a chance to win your choice of 1 full plate of Cherry Pie Art Stamps

Also here is the preview of the Prize for This coming Thursday.s This Thursday challenge
Winner is chosen by random number generator, and will recieve all 3 cdroms. Kindly provided by our Sponsor for the week Little Lou's Craft Supplies

This Thursday, Daring Cardmakers and Layers of Colour

2008-07-11T14:42:00.005+01:00

Hi all
Have not been so well over the last couple of days but have managed to do a bit of crafting . So here is my peice that fulfils This Thursday opposites attract.( I thought the contrast between the coloured paper, and the black and white stamped image would work well.)
Daring cardmakers Cards with A peel ( I adore these peel off corners I bought loads of them. I used to be a peel of hater but for the last year I have found peel offs have improved and you can do some snazzy things with peel off pens and make some really doody butterflies see pic)

and layers of colour berries challenge
so this is my finished peice . The bird is actually on an acetate spring so that it trembles as if flying Which you can't see on a photo

I have also been playing with Fantasy Film dip kit that I got from Fred Aldous and I am really impressed. I created a daffodil. I am going to put this inside an explosion box card. Won't that be amazing to find this fragile daffodil inside

If you like the fruit background from the challenge card

you can download it here as 12 by 12 then print of at whatever size you like Free Paper Download

This weeks This Thursday challenge plus Rainbow Ladys challenge

2008-07-10T05:00:00.004+01:00

Hi all
This weeks challenge on This Thursday is Opposites Attract. The prize this week is the winners choice of 1 full plate of Cherry Pie Art Stamps . All stamped images in the projects are Cherry Pie Art Stamps to see the amazing range of plates the winner can pick from Click HERE

There are some really great examples from Susie, Fiona and guest Designer Vicki
Here are two of my examples from this weeks challenge you can see all the other challenge examples HERE

There is also a downloadable tutorial on an unusual melted baby wipe background on the This thursday projects page

and some free downladable papers on the download page

here are three of the papers fo download on my blog

which you can download here Free Paper Download

which you can donload free here Free paper download

which you can download free here Free paper download

There are matching papers on www.thisthursday.wordpress.com on tje download page.
thats all from me for this morning will be back this afternoon with some challenges

Thought you might like to see this. I was looking through Craftster and in their "What do I do with this" section someone asked about Cigarette cartons the big ones, and this led to someone asking what to do with cigarette boxes. So inspired by my unfortuanly bin full of cigarette packets I set to work
This is what I came up with

Hope you like it. It uses tissue paper and paint to cover the box . The sealed with glossy accents. The bolt is coloured with alcohol inks . Its says Trash or recycle reuse , Inside I am going to make a matching book all about recycling tips

Rainbow Ladys challenge this week was make something oriental .

I made these a little while ago but there is an available project download sheet HERE My favorite is the decoupage bird

This Thursday, Created by hand, Saturdays Workoutand Sketches by tamara challenge entry

2008-07-07T23:30:00.007+01:00

Well I have combined a few challenges again. 1st of all This thursdays, Clearly clever I have used Starburst Stains and Moonshadow inks which I think fit the title Clearly Clever. If you like them you can buy them at http://www.thestampman.co.uk/ I have had moon shadow inks for a while but today is my 1st time with Starburst stains and they are ace. I want them all . Plus I have used a Cherry pie art stamp , which the lucky winner of next weeks This Thursday challenge, will be able to choose a whole stamp plate of.

Created by hands challenge was pastel colours . so I created my main feature peices in pastel Starburst stains.

Saturdays workout was Raster backgrounds, so I used the stains to create a raster background to stamp on.

As the final challenge I fitted my four completed peices, into this weeks Sketches by tamarachallenge

So what does my completed peice look like

I wish it had photographed a little better the stamped images are a lot more defined in real like ans the whole thing shimmers
Oh well thats my Challenges for today.
bye for now. See you on This thursday this week for the chance to win an acrylic album and loads of great acrylic shapes

Next weeks prize on This Thursday

2008-07-06T20:48:00.003+01:00

Well all

We again have had fantastic entries on This Thursday, its going to be really difficult to select our favorite 15 again. But what a joy to look through.

Someone lucky person is really going to enjoy playing with all those wonderful acrylic goodies from our sponsor Clever Cut I really want the acrylic album so much

Anyway here is the preview of next weeks prize on This Thursday

Kindly sponsored by Cherry Pie Art Stamps owned by this weeks guest designer Marina

so here is the prize. Your choice of 1 of Cherry Pie Art Stamps ,stamp plates

To take a look at what you can choose from if you are this weeks lucky winner Cherry Pie Stamp Plates

I will be on later to upload some challenge entries

This Thursday, its all about.... Clearly clever plus arty Girlz,Created by hand and Theme Thursday

2008-07-03T05:00:00.003+01:00

Hi all

Loved last weeks challenge entries, there are three specific peices that I would love to own, because they are so stunning, and a fair few that I wouldn't mind owning as well.. You can see last weeks entries on This Thursdays challenge 2 round up post.

Anyway this weeks challenge is called This Thursday, its all about..... Clearly clever

With a brilliant prize sponsored by Clever Cut an acrylic album and loads of acrylic shapes

Here are a couple of my examples

clear being the arrow
Clever being the revolving disc

The acrylic shapes, tag and owl stamp were provided by Clever cut. I altered the tag with foils and alcohol inks and also stamped the owl onto old newspaper and cut this out. Then adhered it with Ranger glossy accents behind stamped image at back of tag.

There are more of my examples on This Thursday including an Making Memories clear eyelet pot which Ialtered with permamnat markers and featuring a cute little bird stamped image, again from Clever cuts Stamps away range. Plus a project to make a really cute pendant necklace with an acrylic tag. No beading skills required this week. LOL

This Thursday also has Free downloadable digitals 2 doodle overlays including a sheet of doodle lines you can use individually or as a full overlay and a doodle frame overlay and 3 tonal papers
here are three more papers from the doodle overlays set

available to download here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

If you like this you can download it here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

If you like this one you can download it here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

(LEFT) I have also attempted Arty Girls Favorite song. I have loads of favorite songs but I love the lyrics to Live Laugh Love which you can find HERE The title is not quite right but its on my new design runner so i had to use it (you have to play don't you) I combined it with Created by Hands Black white and grey challenge I stamped the image in grey then using white soufflee pen and black pen highlighted specific areas. It also is for Theme Thursday winged people. As soon as I saw the challenge I knew Ihad to use my favorite stamp by Crafty individuals STAMP HERE

Right Having been inspired by the Black white and grey I combined it with This Thursdays clearly clever and used a see through shimmery ribbon The stamp is again from Crafty Individuals and you can find it HERE

So thats really it from me. I have been awarded an award by Susie which I will post about tommorow , as I write this, I still have a lot more to do yet for This Thursdays posts and I've already been up since 5 am and will not finish till about 1 am
See you tommorow or catch me in the This Thursday chatroom between 9 and 10pm Thursday night

Mixed Media Monday dance challenge This Thursday prize photos

2008-07-01T00:33:00.005+01:00

Hi all
have been amazingly busy over the last few days. But have managed to get one challenge done, although its only a digi ATC.
Its for mixed media mondays challenge dance. Which I will post in a minute.
Just a quick reminder if you want to be in with a chance to win this amazing prize

nip along to This Thursday, its all about..... and enter the challenge before wednesday midday.

Plus here is a preview of This coming Thursday's prize kindly donated by Clever Cut as acrylic peices do not photograph well. The peices are grapically shown

what a stunning prize. Shame I can't enter LOL
Don't forget we also have free downloadable projects and free digi downloads too

Anyway finally here and this is my Digi ATC entry for Mixed media Mondays Dance challenge

bye for now
Tracey

a couple of challenges Layers of colour

2008-06-28T12:05:00.004+01:00

Well I have combined a couple of challenges again Layers of colours Lazy days Of Summer Saturdays Workout Gesso and Tag your itfavorite qoute or family photo.
Don't forget This Thursday ....its all about beaded beauties so get your beaded layouts, cards, or bead projects in now for the chance of winning this great prize

My lazy days of summer are spent on a scottish beach watching the wildlife, and the beauty of the sea. So I picked a quote that reminds me so much of the sea. Danger and delight grow on one stalk a scottish proverb ( a scottish link again) I stamped Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (as the sea is beautiful even at its mors terrifying) in gesso
so here is my entry

Today i am going to do some challenges plus prize draw at craft4creations

2008-06-27T08:43:00.005+01:00

I am going to get some challenges done today if it kills me so I will update this post throughout the day.

However in the meantime. Last weeks sponsor of This Thursdays challenge is starting monthly draws This month prize is

What a stunning draw prize from Craft4Creation . I will definatly be keeping an eye for the other monthly draws too .

Well my great ideas for a day dedicate to crafting have gone up the spout partly due to OH wanting to spend some time with me and the microwave packing up . I have managed to do one challenge 4 by 4 Fridays Orange and yellow. Don't forget its challenge 2 at This Thursday , and we have had some great entries so far

anyway here is my entry for Orange and Lemon

This Thursday its all about, beaded beauties. Plus created by hand, altered challenge and Arty Girlz Nature

2008-06-26T05:00:00.003+01:00

Hello all

This weeks challenge at This Thursday is beaded beauties . With an amazing prize which you really must check out. Our sponser this week is Daisy Chains Beads

So here are a couple of my entries

Carnival Button shank Bracelet with beads I bought at one of our sponsor Daisy chains Bead fairs

Beads of Dew Card using beads of Diamond Glaze as beads of Dew. I think that flowers studded with natures gems are stunning . For Arty Girlz nature challenge

my quick altered beads . altered for the Created by Hand challenge. The one on the left I stamped with stazon, although you could just draw your design in permanant marker, then I used ranger alcohol inks to paint in the detail. The second one I used a high tack glue and adhered a fancy gem sticker to the front of the bead. I will use these as feature beads in future beading projects

Jake our little diamond Using a free paper below and a frame and diagonal overlay available at This Thirsday on the freebee page

You can see my other examples at This Thursday and You can download the Frame and diamante stripe overlay plus two other peices on This Thursdays freebee page . My freebee downloads today are the background paper from the Jake layout, and A bit of a Bling thing paper

If you like this you can download it here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

and if you like the look of this one you can download it here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD
as I said you can download the Frame and the diamante diagonal overlay at This Thursday

Bye for now catch you laters

Inspire me Thursday, This Thursday, Mixed Media monday. My time to craft, Saturdays Workout Step outside your box Saturday and Skinny Saturday

2008-06-22T16:07:00.007+01:00

I have again decided to do a one peice for multiple challenges as it always makes me experiment more
So these are the challenges my peice is for
As you may know This Thursdays challenge was Fresh, which could be fresh colours Fresh techniques, fresh colours using the word fresh etc. So I have used some Fresh stamps, the lovely colourbox queue that is part of the challenge prize and I have never made a Shadow box before ( I have done shaker boxes though)

so I have combined it with Skinny Saturdays Shadow box challenge.

Inspire me Thursdays challenge was recreate or bring to life a childs drawing so I used this as the basis of my design.

Mixed Media monday was try something new so the shadow box fits that,

My time to craft was buttons so I added a button to the design,

Saturdays workout was hand cut and everything is handcut except the circles , I can't cut circles they end up as springs LOL
and the final challenge

Step outside your box saturdays Metallics challenge I used a chain, gold ink, gold pen, copper embossed card two tone gold and green card, and a gold speckle card
So that I think is my challenge entries for today all I have to do is show you my peice

Hope you like it

This Thursday and thank god its friday challenges

2008-06-20T15:16:00.005+01:00

Well today I was looking for some challenges to do, nothing too strenuous as I am feeling a bit whacked after the last month working up to the launch of This thursday, its all about challenge

anyway I checked out one of my usual challenges Thank god its Friday and the theme was Oh baby. Well this gives me the opportuntity to show the Clipboard I created for This Thursdays challenge Fresh

Which feature my wonderful 1st Grandson jake. this picture was taken less than an hour after his birth, and oh baby did he give his mum a hard time. She had pre-eclampsia and had hours of a labour before they had to give her a c section.We all had weeks of worry and stress But he's definatly worth it

Come along and check out This Thursdays 1st challenge great prize up for grabs

Thursday and Its This Thursday its all about.... Fresh 1st Challenge

2008-06-19T05:00:00.004+01:00

Wow its been so exciting working on the new challenge, and its finally here. Our 1st challenge is fresh . It can be fresh techniques, fresh products . the word or whatever else fresh brings to mind I love my design team mates work and here is mine. As you can see I got a bit carried away and have made loads of stuff, to see my other peices , design team examples and some free downloads as well go to

http://www.thisthursday.wordpress.com/

This is my 1st Fimo plaque I made some fake malacite for the base, I will be doing a tutorial for Fake malacite and other fimo techniques on This Thursday at a later date . I ran my fimo through a pasta maker to condition it and also to get a consistant thickness. I also used Liquid fimo to which I added a tiny spot of alcohol ink to tint it to create the blue and green tinted glazes. This is put onto the Plaque after the oven and then cured with a normal heat gun I inked around the edge of the white plaque with one of the colorbox queue Rain Forest ink pad which is part of the great prize supplied by Craft 4 Creation all my examples use the queue ink pads except the Digi layout

This is a daisy pyramage There is a round version of the pyramage sheet available for download free on This Thursdays freebee page and an equivelant GSD file for all craft robo users
This card I directed tapped the ink pads onto a cuttlebug embossing folder. Then embossed onto white card. The I inked over the raised pattern with black ink. then cut out the two main shapes. Then punched two circles. I used the corners as added detail on the card. Oh and of course added the fresh as a daisy
This Digi Lo I wanted to find out if I could paper peice digitally this is my 1st attempt. I used the word and the defintiton for Fresh

There are a couple more examples on the challenge including a clipboard with Inked Grungeboard letters oh and a project using Cuttlebug embossing .

Well thats This thursdays, 1st challenge can't wait to see your examples, and I am hoping to catch up with some challenges that i have missed over the last week

Here is todays free paper

If you like it you can download it free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOADS

There are also more free papers on This Thursday, its all about..... Freebees page

Just a quicky

2008-06-14T13:00:00.003+01:00

Am off to Scrap a ganza tommorow with my sister . have three classes booked. Extra texture, Words to loive by and technique crazy can't wait to get there and play. Could have done with it being a different week as next week we are starting This Thursday, its all about challenge blog. A challenge blog for artists and crafters of all varieties. Can't wait to share the design teams examples, check out the challenge blog to see what the prize for the challenge winner is. Challenge winners will be picked by draw.

Anyway I have a free paper for you

which you can download free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

if you havn't been to my blog before you can download all my free project sheets from my blog HERE

Free Project. Free Paper and news about This Thursday Challenge Blog

2008-06-10T14:30:00.005+01:00

Hi all
As you may or may not of noticed I have been away for nearly a month. Due to having a minor op that left me feeling a bit rough for the last few weeks. However I am now back and have great News

This Thursday, Its all about...... challenge blog starts 19th June or next Thursday if you prefer. Its a challenge blog for any artist or crafter so if our challenge inspires you to sew, paint, sculpt,scrapbook or make cards you can enter it. Wether your thing is Hybrid, Multi media or digital we want you to be inspired. Visit us HERE

I will be posting an introduction of our design team later in the week. You can already see a slide of examples on the blog. Our blog also has a chatroom where you can arrange to meet each other to discuss techniques used in your work or ask our designers questions (Date and time to be arranged that designers will be in the chatroom.) We have 9 great sponsors for our 1st 9 challenges so come along and join in.

I have just been looking at the examples for the 1st 2 challenges and am so very very impressed with my team mates and our 1st guest designer. Can't wait to share it all with you.

On This Thursday we are also planning a project and tutorial page and a freebee page and every week there will either be a freebee project or printable

Anyway as I have been away so long I have decided to give you a free project and a free paper today So here is the free project

and you can download the instruction sheet free HERE as well as any of my previous instruction sheets.

For my free paper. I thought I would play around to create a Bandana technique style paper hope that you like it.

which you can download Free FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Will catch you all tommorow

Loads of announcements plus Artbuzz Fur baby challenge

2008-05-15T13:51:00.001+01:00

Wow Well I have three great announcements today Ist am announcing the 2 winners of the two great Dovecraft prizes today. Plus another really exciting announcement

382 tickets in total for the comment and challenge prize draw . It took me ages to write them all out. The name pulled from the is Joanne who has a blog http://mypaperprojects.blogspot.com/

Winner of the Dovecraft crafting competiton ,it was a really difficult choice for the judge because all the entries were so good but the final choice ended up between 2 people, both of whom, had two wonderful entries, the final decision went with Debbie http://bubble-deb.blogspot.com Her cosmetic holder was brilliant and her card on the same post was beautiful as you can see.

So please ladies e mail me your addresses to rattytatty@fsmail.net Thanks and well done.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank both our sponsors for their wonderful prize selections

Comment prize sponsored by Trimcraft (if you haven't joined their forum yet, you don't know what your missing. Loads of pages of free projects with instructions, and a great social network for crafters.)

Competiton prize sponsored by www.artandcraftworld.com who have some of the best prices around on some excellent stash. And Im not just saying it take a look.

As too my other announcement . I would like to introduce to you

This Thursday, it's all about....

A new challenge blog

Being the sort of person I am , I am always looking at different things for inspiration and am always trying out new techniques and crafts. So I thought that a challenge that was open to any form of art or craft entry would be a brilliant way to inspire you to create , Not just because of the challenge, but because of the many varied entries that will be on show.

So last week I started looking for a team, and asked Rosie http://alteredartandstuff.wordpress.com/ not realsing all the commitments she has and what a hectic life she leads. Rosie was very excited about the idea but after a night thought realised that there was just no way she could offer that sort of commitment, but she has kindly agreed to be our 1st guest designer. I then asked Fiona http://magickdiva.blogspot.com/ and Susie www.whiteribboncards.blogspot.com/ and am really pleased to say that they loved the idea and are now along with myself the This Thursdays design team.

I have been very pleasantly surprised surprised just how excited everyone is about the CHALLENGE , so much so we already have sponsors for the 1st 5 challenges and we can't wait for the challenges to begin.

The challenge blog is open now whilst in development and there is a chatroom. if you want to go in the chatroom to suggest things that you would love to see, or just to chat with others. Great. We will be announcing on our blogs a pre launch chat in the chatroom with the design team in the near future.

We are also looking for Guest designers with different crafting or art skills as well as papercrafters to take part to take part. If you think that you have what we are looking for please e mail the team on thisthursday@artlover.com with craft areas you are experienced in and a link to your blog.

Anyway thats my news for now

Here is my entry for Artbuzz's fur baby challenge

I am hoping to be back with a couple more challenge peices later

Here is todays free paper

If you like it you can download it free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Exciting news to be announced in a few days and 4 days to get your Competition entries in plus 4 days left on Blog candy

2008-05-10T07:46:00.013+01:00

Hi All
I have an exciting announcement to come over the next few days. I can hardly wait to tell you all about it.

You have 4 days to enter the Dovecraft Competition to win

COMPETITION POST where you can find out how to enter and where you should post your entries
Competition sponsor is www.artandcraftworld.com/ who have an amazing range of products and I will say that their prices are excellent as well.

You also have 4 days left to comment on my blog to win

I think both the selections are excellent and I know that I find both sets of stamps amazingy veratile and have used them on loads of projects.

If you like the Laura Ashley Range and want some cardmaking ideas Issue 45 of Simply Cards and Papercrafts is out now with a project consisting of 7 different cards. Project by myself
Finally for today I have a free paper for you. Hope you like it. It is an alternative version to photograph papers

if you like it you can download it free here
FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Wednesday and thursday2 days of challenges

2008-05-07T12:23:00.017+01:00

Hello all
I have decided that today and tommorow I am going to attempt to do as many challenges as I can so I have a list to start
My time to craft Ribbons DONE 2
Created by hand Charms DONE
Mixed media monday Paint DONE 2
artbuzz schoolgirl DONE
Cardvarks Hot DONE
daring cardmakers Wood or silverwear DONE 2
Gothic Arches Chair
take part tuesday Forest DONE
wednesday stamper Diva DONE
sketch this sketch 49 DONE
That was my starting list its now Thurday and I still have two challenges on original list,Gothic Arches and Artbuzz but I am off to find more challenges to do today. I will put the list below this

Artygirlz 3d DONE
Cardmakers United Paint chips and photo DONE
Lilypad challenge circles DONE
Funky fairies Going dotty DONE
Think Monday think atc. Black and White DONE
Paper minutes sketch 12
ISMAKI sketch 18 DONE
Theme Thursday Tea or coffee

So here is my 1st completed peice (sorry about the poor picture makes it look out of shape)

This is for Mixed media mondays paint, Daring cardmakers Wood and Take part tuesdays Forest
I used permanant marker and drew the shapes in dashed lines. coloured with watercolour paint. then wrote in permanant marker words that I associte with the shape For eg bark,brown, bough,tree,wood. on the trunk of the tree . Sun hot warm,sunny on the sun etc

Here ios my second peice

This covers challenges Mixed media paint, daring cardmakers wood, My time to craft ribbons ,created by hand charms
I used pearlescent acrylic paint in dark blue, aqua and green, watered down with lots of water in a small essential oil atomisers (bought from ebay in pack of 10) as a spray onto plain cardstock. then onto Pearlescent wave pattern card(same card used in Sundays free project download (shows through really well in real life) then on the wooden button. Charm is the fish obviously, ribbons I plated three ribbons and also used the ribbon in the button as fake stitching > I also used 3 sets of dovecraft alphabet stamps > I must admit that i always regreted not having more alphabets, but now Trimcraft and Dovecraft do small clear and woodblock alphabet sets for 99p Im going to have loads (so they can also work for examples for my competiton. LOL)
Well here is item 3

Thia covers Caardvarks Hot challenge and Wednesdays stamper Diva and Sketch this Sketch 49 .
Used Cherry Artes paper Image from Tuscan Rose collage art CD (1 I think) I used the trimcraft Studio G Alphabet stamps again and a Trimcraft Studio G clear stamp from a flower set for the embellishment. I did nt want to hide the paper so the writing is on dotty Vellum in child like writing it says mummy says when I grow up Im going to be a proper little

Here is thursdays 1st Item and 4th item in total

Which completes the challenges Artgirlz 3d,Artbuzz Schoolgirl, Ismaki Sketch 18 and Cardmakers United Paint chips and Photo

Here is item 5

Which completes My time to craft, Ribbon challenge again Lily Pad challenge Circles, Funky Fairies Going Dotty challenge and Think Monday Think ATC Black and white Challenge

Due to unforseen circumnstances I have to go out and don't know what time I will be back and I still have 3 challenges in my list. However if you include the challenges I have done more than once . I have completes 17 challenge items in two days although I did nt start til 12.30 on Wednesday and finished at 5pm and started at 12.30 today and finished at 5. If I get back in time to complete the remaining items I will . If not I think I have done ok with this challenge

Don't forget . I have free downloadable projects and free downloadable papers scattered through my blog. Also you still have 7 days to comment on my blog for the great blog candy prize and 7 days to enter the competition to win Loads of Dovecraft Laura Ashley Goodies including papers and stamps

Free template and project download. Challenge Arty Girlz and Saturdays Workout. Plus miss on 4 by 4.UPDATEDplus Tag your it week 5

2008-05-04T13:52:00.018+01:00

Well today I have managed to get my challenges a bit mixed up. I ment to do the 4 by 4 Friday challenge Vintage brides, Plus Saturdays workout Alcohol inks and tag your it challenge week 5 However managed to get last weeks Tag your it week 4 Photo slide and forgot the brides was a 4 by 4 so brides ended up as a tag not a 4 by 4.Fortunatly the only one I could nt mess up was the Arty Girlz as the theme this week was open Oh well/ I still love the result

So here is my entry for Arty Girlz Open theme and Saturdays workout Alcohol inks

I used alcohol inks and applied them in a wave motion across the pearescent wave card stock which also features in one of my project download cards.

So I have a free project download for you

The shabby chic card comes with a free downloadable template as well

anyway I thought that i would give you a project download and free template so you can download the case template and the handbag card and wavy card instruction sheet and any of my other instruction sheets You need to download the instruction sheet and the Visio bag and case template HERE

These two cards resulted from playing around with some card I recently bought from
ideas in paper an online shop which i tripped over ewhilst surfing. I especially love the card from the floral pad. it has an lightly embossed pattern which if you sand it makes the card look a bit like embossed suede. I also inked it and sanded it and loved the results it acheived.

anyway thats it for me for today and possibly also for tommorow. Being bank holiday monday I fancy putting my feet up and getting some just for me crafting done. so have a great one everyone and catch you later

Well I have nipped on to update have managed to do week 5 tag your it challenge Moo tag so here it is . I will also be using this as another Arty Girlz entry

This moo tag is for my friend her favorite colours are black and green and she loves arum lilies

So that is my Tag your it week 5 challenge and my second entry to ARTY GIRLZ
Dont forget you have 9 days left to enter the Dovecraft laura Ashley competiton and the Blog candy draw

WOW 2 prizes Competition and Blog candy PLUS Trimcraft opens Social network for crafters 1st May

2008-04-30T13:34:00.014+01:00

Wow have had a pre opening look at the Trimcraft Crafters Social network today .

There are pages and pages of great projects with instructions. Demonstration videos to watch. You can have your own gallery, there is a forum where you can swop tips or just chat about our favorite topic CRAFTS .You can find out about Trimcraft demonstrations, in fact you can even contact the demonstrators if you have any questions about previous demonstrations. What more can we want from a social network for crafters. It officially opens tommorow 1st May, and you will probably find me there tomorrow chatting away , so see you there.

PLUS You still have 14 days to win these two great DOVECRAFT LAURA ASHLEY prizes

COMPETITION PRIZE

Laura Ashley Traditional 12 by 12 paper pack. Clear stamps, Ribbon stickers and dome stickers kindly sponsored by ART AND CRAFT WORLD who have some of the best prices on craft products around.
To be in with a chance of winning just enter any craft item you have made using at least 1 Dovecraft product enter here COMPETITION POST if you are a non european you can enter using DCWV, Hampton art stamps or a Bind it all.

and we e also have a DRAW PRIZE as well

6 by 6 Dovecraft Laura Ashley Contemporary paper, Contemporary woodblock stamps dome alphabet and dome stickers
just comment on any post between now and 14th of May and you will get 1 ticket per post you've commented on.

Anyway have had 5 mins to try a couple of challenges and have combined TAKE PART TUESDAY Romance challenge with Wednesday Stampers Stripes Challenge
The background was stamped using one of Crafty Individuals stamps which I inked with stamping pens and then blotted to distress it

Don't forget if you comment you are in with a chance of winning the Dovecraft Laura Ashley Blog candy prize. Or enter a craft item to win the other wonderful Dovecraft Laura Ashley prize

I also have another free paper for you

if you like it you can download it free here
FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

free project download . Blog candy and competition update. Daring cardmakers and Saturday workout entry Plus Ive been tagged

2008-04-27T18:30:00.015+01:00

Hi all

Don't forget you have until midnight tonight to get your challenge entries in . This weeks challenge was make your own metal embellishments. Instructions and entry post Don't forget that as well as or even instead of taking part in my challenge, any comment you make on my blog between 14th April and 14th of May gets you 1 ticket in the Dovecraft Challenge and comment Draw. You could win. 6 by 6 Laura Ashley Contemporary paper pack. Laura Ashley Woodblock stamp set. Dome alphabet stickers and Dome Embellishment stickers.

You still have 17 days to get your competition entries in. Competition is really simple European entries you can enter any craft project where you have used 1 or more Dovecraft products. Other international you can enter any project that uses at least 1 of these DCWV paper,Hampton Art stamps, or a bind it all. You can win Dovecraft Laura Ashley 12 by 12 paper Pack. Dovecraft Laura Ashley Clear stamp set. Dome stickers and ribbon stickers.
To see the prize, enter the competition or to see the entries so far. See here
COMPETITION POST
I have a free one card project download for you today

Instructions include how to make an acetate wrap with clear window if you want my instructions free you can download them here, as well as all the previous project instructions
FREE PROJECT SHEET DOWNLOAD

Well I have also been tagged by Charlol.

So here are 7 random facts about me

1 I was told at school that I was no good at art

2 I am really good at complaining ( but only when things are wrong)

3 I believe you should always say when someone has done a good job for you

4 I love the Pre raphealite artists

5 I love the Clash and Frank Sinatra

6 I have recently taken up beading and jewellery making

7 When I was young I wanted to be excentric

So thats my 7 random facts about me. Ok So I am going to apologize in advance fro tagging these lovely ladies

LAURANNETTE is really friendly and has entered the competiton

SHAUI she has some really wonderful digital freebees, and beautiful examples

Vickie who also has some really stunning freebies > I love her style and she has a really interesting blog

Kylie Has some wonderful digital freebees including the greatest thomas the tank free kit. Really worth a visit

and last but not least I tag

Shirley. Shirleys blog is full of amazing photographs. She is doing a 365 day projects. pop along and take a peek

My late entry to Daring Cardmakers (Distressing) and Saturdays workout challenge Embossing

I cut this out in card using my craft robo. Its a lovely ding file from House of Lime its called butterflies. There are loads of amaing dings and fonts . Then using a clear embossing pen, I embossed each colour seperatly. I really love this effect and will be making more of these . To create the distressed looking frame. I sprinkled different embossing powder over the frame area. Including a copper a gold some silver a touch of white and verdigree.

I also have a free paper for you its one of my weirder ones. this is based on reflections

If you like it you can download it free here. FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Competiton update, Thank god its friday ,Arty Girlz, 4 by 4 Friday challenge entry

2008-04-25T11:28:00.006+01:00

Hi just a quick one today

update on the Dovecraft competiton Latest entries are by Susie, you can see Susies blog here

and this lovely card featuring Dovecraft contemporary papers is one of her entries

to find out how you can enter the competiton to win the Dovecraft Laura Ashley Traditional selection see the competiton post

To find out how you can win the Dovecraft Contemporary selection featured in Susies card you need the Challenge Post this weeks challenge is make your own metal embellishments with instructions.

Anyway have attempted a couple of challenges as well today

I have combined Arty Girlz handmade backgrounds challenge (my second handmade background, with 4 by 4 Fridays flowers and Thank god its Friday acetate challenge.

Forgot to add the picture silly me

Anyway not sure what plans are for the weekend
i may get to do a couple of challenges so may see you over the weekend

Introducing my grandson , Scrapdragons and Sisterhood of scrap and Take part Tuesday challenge entry

2008-04-24T10:45:00.012+01:00

Hello all.

Thought for once I would do something totally unrelated to either the make your own metal embellishments challenge (which I do have another example for you of a layout using the make your own metal embellishments techniques. This is a layout I did a while ago. Thoughts on my daughter getting married I printed the title reversed onto paper . Then used this to trace the outline. Then embossed squiggles around the edge and a smaller squiggle inside)

or the Dovecraft Laura Ashley Competition. So went searching for challenges. I fancied doing some Scrapping as I haven't done any for a while anyway I came across,

Scrapdragons and their challenge was paper peicing and the Sisterhood of scrap whos challenge was Sun and its also another entry to the Take Part Tuesday Polka dots challenge as there were not many dots on my other entry.

So anyway went to print off my selected photos, put my new printer cartridge in my printer and it didn't fit.

Not to be put off I decided that I could do the layout I was thinking of as a digital lo with a digital paper peicing so here is my entry

This is my beautiful grandson Jake who is just 3 months old. These are two of my favorite photos and knew that these were the ones I wanted to do the layout with.

If you like the paper peicing you can downlod it in pink and blue or in the other colourway orange and blue
FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

so thats it for today. Bye for now

Dovecraft Laura Ashley Competiton Example, Challenge example, Take part tuesday and Artygirlz Challenge Entry

2008-04-23T14:43:00.008+01:00

Hi all

I have a couple of examples for you the 1st one is both an example for the Dovecraft Laura Ashley competition. You can enter any crafted item that you have used 1 dovecraft product on if you are European (Other internationals can use one of the following DCWV, Hampton art stamps or Bind it all due to lack of availability of Dovecraft outside Europe)
COMPETITION ENTRY POST HERE

This card uses the Dovecraft Laura Ashley traditional 12 by 12 stack, dome stickers, and ribbon . The paisley stamp used was from The Dovecraft Laura Ashley clear stamp set stickers from the competion prize (Mine though not the actual prize LOL). Ifyou like these papers, and don't want to wait to see if you have won, you can buy them from the competition sponsor ART AND CRAFT WORLD who have great prices on loads of great items.

My card is also an example for the make your own metal embellishment challenge
INSTRUCTIONS,CHALLENGE RULES AND ENTRY POST HERE if your challenge entry gets picked as my favorite you get 5 extra draw tickets in the challenge and blog candy draw.
Last weeks challenge Shaker box game challenge winner is Rosie you can see the winning card on Rosies blog so Rosie 5 more draw tickets for you.

I also have another example for the Make your own metal embellishments but this time it is also an example for Take part Tuesday (Polka dots) challenge and for Artygirlz challenge Make your own backgrounds

The whole background was made by stamping metal embossing foil with stazon. Then embossing as per my instructions. The stamps I used where Dovecraft Clear stamps Best friends set. I added hand drawn polka dots to my card flower and finished with an embossed metal flower.
I also have a freebee paper for you again

If you like it you can download it free here
FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Don't forget you can also get Blog candy and challenge draw tickets for entrering the competiton. challenge,, commenting on my blog or spreading the news about the competiton and challenges on your blog. (If you do post about the competiton or challenge on your blog please make sure you post a comment on my blog telling me)

Competiton closes on 14th May

Challenge finishes 28th May when a new challenge will start . Draw will finish on the 14th of Maywhen the winner will be pulled from a bowl (or hat)

Anyway thats all for today

Make your own metal embellishments , with instructions . Free paper Download. Mixed Media Monday and Ismaki challenge entry New look Blog Hit or Miss

2008-04-21T08:07:00.012+01:00

Hello all

This weeks challenge is Make your own Metal embellishments and here is my example

I have used Prima Coquette papers and matching Prima essentials 3 Coquette flowers and a black Prima Center kiss. The wonderful stamp I have used is by Crafty Individuals I love their range of stamps Not only are the stamps all stunning images but the prices are very good too.

So basic instructions for making your own metal embellishments

You will need

Silver embossing foil (you can use other colours and you can pre treat with alcohol inks)

Various sizes of embossing tools from very small to large ball tips

stazon ink pad

a range of Permanant markers

Stamps

Solid foam mat like C dees stamping mat or parchment pricking mat

low tack masking tape

Silicon Glue

old credit or loyalty card

1 Cut out a peice of foil larger than you want completed embelishment to be . Then stamp image with stazon and leave to dry

2 With masking tape, tape your foil peice onto your foam mat. Then with the smallest ball tool trace over the black lines of your stamped image. Then using appropriate sized tools emboss any areas you want to stand out.

3 remove tape and turn over foil, You should now be able to see the image and the areas you want to emboss. Tape down to mat.

4 With the small ball tool retrace over the thin lines, then emboss the other areas using the appropriate tools. Remove from pad

5 With permanant markers colour any areas you want to colour. Try to avoid the stazon lines where possible and for areas where you can't only go over the stazon once and it should remain in place.

6 Turn completed peice over so it is face down. Squeeze a large blob of silicon in the center of your peice. Then scrape outwards until silicon fills all the recesses and then scrape of excess (This protects you work from crush damage either in the post or your scrapbook album) Set aside to dry.

7 Cut out your finished metal embelishment,

Chalenge entries must be in Midnight on the 28th . If you enter you get 1 draw ticket in the Challenge and comment draw. If you are chosen as the winner you will bet an extra 5 tickets in this months draw

Don't forget

last weeks shaker box game challenge you still have until midnight tonight to get your entries in Challenge and entry post HERE

Dovecraft competiton you have until 14th May to get your entries in Dovecraft Craft competiton details and entry post HERE

I also have a link to the new Trimcraft (Makers and suppliers of Dovecraft if your wondering about this random posting, was looking for some info and came across this) social crafting site to be opened on the 1st May. If you pre register there is a £1000 draw for craft vouchers, the craft vouchers come in £25.00 vouchers so you can spread them through the year. Nifty idea, You can spread the fun throughout the year. Of course I have pre registered (maybe I should have kept this to myself more chance of winning) and have my fingers and toes crossed LOL . It looks like it will be a great site. You can have your own page and gallery and there will be competitons, craft videos and lots more. TRIMCRAFT CREATIVE SOCIAL SITE

Todays free paper is based on spicy colours

If you like it you can download it free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Plus I have managed to fit in another challenge today this time its Mixed Media Monday and the challenge is Hats

So here is my ATC A bit of Hattitude Background paper is from Dovecraft Retro floral 6 by 6 pack ,its also an example for My challenge making your own metal embellishments . this time I printed out reversed text and used that to trace. Then I distressed the metal with stazon.Unfortuantly it has nt photographed very well

I have also managed to fit in ISMAKI sketch challenge

Which i made the metal letters for by cutting a strip of embossing foil to the width of my dymo tape and putting it through the dymo
so that is it for today I doubt I will get time to post tommorow

I would also love your opinion on my new look blog. There is a vote in the side bar. thanks

Don#t forget to enter your craft items for the Dovecraft laura Ashley competiton.

Daring cardmakers . Step outside your box Saturdays, Saturday workout entry

2008-04-19T10:37:00.005+01:00

Hi all as time was short today,I decided to make my Shaker box challenge (2 days left to enter Details and ENTRY POST HERE) and Dovecraft Laura Ashley competiton ( Finishes 14 May Details and ENTRY POST HERE example 1 in the same , So for my challenge it is a shaker box, and for the competiton it Uses Dovecraft Laura Ashley stamps. Not content to kill two birds with one stone I looked at Daring cardmakers challenge. (Hot and Spicy) Step outside your box Saturdays (Doodling) and Saturdays workout (Distressing), so with those in mind I set out to create a Shaker box, that works as a card, with some hot and spicy colours in it, that uses Dovecraft, doodling and distressing.

So here is my peice hope you like it

I used plain white silk card. Cut to exactly the same shape as the cuttlebug embossing folder and adhered to embossing folder card . I also cut another for the back panel which I also distressed with rose madder ink. Which I kept to slide in the back when it was finished.

Then with a cosmetic sponge and a rose madder ( hot and spicy colour) ink pad , distressed the card. Then Using the same rose madder ink I stamped the Dovecraft Laura Ashley large round flower. Then using black I stamped the fluffy flower.

Hot and spicy also reminds me of India and all those wonderful fabrics they make one of my favorite has a brilliant lime green in it . I added lime green Sakura soufle pen details to both flowers. Then doodled the background with green and pink soufle pen in wide stripes . I used A DCWV Sweet sixteen sticker . Stamped make a wish in random places with black oink . Doodled a 16 on black and White Dovecraft Paper coloured sections in with pink and green souffle pens. Cut it out and adhered to the base.
Punched my holes selected suitable beads. Put the beads in the recess and carefully slid the finished panel and backing in .

Anyway I also have a free paper for you today its called Neopolitan stripe hope you like it

If you like it you can download it free here
FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Don#t forget you also get draw tickets from my draw prize just for commenting on my blog posts. Or spreading the news about my challenge and competiton on your blog . As well as the tickets you can get for entering the challenges and competiton.

Anyway I am having a day off tommorow . To craft for myself and finish some magazine submision work that I have to complete. So catch you monday. I will be nippng in to see the new ebtries for my challenge and for the competiton .

Byee for now

Shaker ball game Challenge example and entry for Thank god its friday Monogram Challenge

2008-04-18T08:44:00.004+01:00

Hi all busy day today. So my post for today will be short and sweet. Quick reminder about the two wonderful Dovecraft Prize selections and your chances of winning them.

Only 2 days left to get your Shaker ball game entries in for the Challenge . CHALLENGE POST gives tips on how to make your shaker ball games and its where you can link your entries.

Don't forget my Dovecraft Laura Ashley competiton which ends on the 14th May. European entries must use at least 1 dovecraft item. other international can use either DVWV, Bind it all or Hampton Art stamps (due to unavailability of Dovecraft) If you want to buy some Dovecraft products or some Dovecraft Laura Ashley products HERE is a great shop they have very reasonable shipping charges and some of the best prices around, and also generously offered to sponsor the COMPETITION Prize. Anyway here is the COMPETITION POST place your entries here you can enter more than one item on one post as long as you mention what products you have used.

So I have a Challenge example for you . So of course its another Shaker ball game.

This is also my Thank God its Friday Monogram challenge entry . I used Dovecraft permanent markers to alter the colour of the felt monogram . The beautiful flower is a Prima Lovable (Flirt)and it really is Lovable can't wait to use all the other lovely colours I got in the pack, and also use the pack to make a shaker game as well .

These shaker games make great cards, are great on Layouts and make great gifts see CHALLENGE POST for how examples and how to tips and to enter the Shaker Ball Game challenge.

I would just like to thank everyone who is supporting my blog and finding it interesting. I am glad to announce that I am now at the point where I will be offering prizes for competitons and challenges every month. So thanks to my sponsors and thank you to my readers, and I hope we will all enjoy our journeys together.

Bye for now

Rattytatty

1st entries in Dovecraft Laura Ashley Competiton update. Arty Girlz and Theme Thursday challenge entries

2008-04-17T07:55:00.015+01:00

Wow 1st entries in for the competiton and they are lovely. First we have Rosies card. Rosie has a great blog full of inspirational crafted items and altered art her work is lovely .

Laura Annette has entered 3 cards and plans to enter more . Her blog has loads of beautiful cards and she shares technique tips.

This is one of Laura annettes cards being a non European where you cannot get any Dovecraft Products she is allowed to use DCWV, Hampton Arts stamps or the Bind it all.

Debbie also known as Bubblegum has entered a couple of projects and is hoping to enter some more. However the cosmetic brush holder in the shape of a shoe, is as I am sure you will agree a beautiful and unusual entry to the competion. I am sure there will be lots more

To see Debbies craft entries , Rosies card and blog and Laura Annettes blog and other cards and keep updated on competition entries , see prizes or to submit your own work go to

COMPETITION ENTRY POST

don't forget we also have the Comment and Challenge Draw prize . The present challenge is the Shaker Ball game challenge to get draw tickets as well which you can keep up with at the CHALLENGE ENTRY POST and see the Comment and entry Draw Prize too. Yes two different Prizes

Wow my blog has been featured on INSPIRATIONAL a great blog where the team pick blogs and crafted items from blogs around the world that have inspired them , and I am really honoured to have been featured . If you want to see what was said you can look here http://inspirationalcraftblogs.blogspot.com/2008/04/shaker-box-with-twist_15.html

Well things are a bit rushed again this week but have managed 10 minutes to do a challenge. I chose Arty Girlz ribbon challenge. and of course to kill two birds with the proverbial one stone. I have used all Dovecraft products except for the card which is DCWV from one of their cardstock stacks which I love because they have a lovely texture and a white core anyway back to the point

Here is my Ribbon challenge card

I have managed to fit in another quick crafting session so decided to do Theme Thursdays Stripes Challenge . So here is my stripes card. I used DCWV All Dressed Up paper and chipboard , Dovecraft Charcoal prints paper I added some flowers snipped from flower ribbon and some pearl gems . I altered the glittered Glam chipboard with wiggly stripes using sharpie permanant markers .

So I also have a free paper for you and will have some matching papers over the next few days. I have been working with neopolitan colours just recently so decided to create some papers using that colour scheme.

If you like it you can download it free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD the next paper in the set will be neopolitan stripes

Big Bold and full of fun Challenge post. Plus 8 by 8 challenge winning entry

2008-04-15T12:01:00.005+01:00

Hello all and this is the Challenge post. The challenge runs from 14th April till 21st April Midnight. If you take part in the challenge you recieve 1 ticket in my draw. You can also get draw tickets for commenting on my blog, linking to my blog and mentioning challenge or the competition (see post below for competiton details), or for just entering the competiton. The draw prize is

Dovecraft Laura Ashley 6 by 6 contemporary paper pack, Contemporary wood block stamp set , dome alphabet stickers and dome embellishment stickers. Another great selection I love these stamps and have been playing with my set a lot. They are really useful images. The paper designs are fresh contemporary but would still sit well in a traditional style card.

So for the challenge. Well if you haven't already guessed my challenge for you today is to create a shaker box ball game. This challenge can be used on layouts , or as a peice of alered art or as a card. I have shown a couple of examples in previous posts, from the 1st one I ever made to the Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie one.

You can either make our own shaker box, or you can recycle blow molded plastic packaging. The Cosmo cricket Honey Pie springtime card actually uses the plastic cover from Cosmo Crickets Kate's Album packaging. The Dovecraft Laura Ashley game uses a blow molded foldable package from Cosmo Crickets ribbons this has a plastic back and front.

Unfortunatly I have not yet found a way to use the packaging that is welded shut most of the time I cannot even get them open . If anyone does know how to get them open I would like tips.Lol

An easy way to create your apperture for the 1 side blow molded package. Clear any glue and paper from the edge of the packaging, Use rubbing alcohol or at a push cheap perfume. this will clear glue without damaging the plastic. Also great for removing any label residue if labels have been on the front of the plastic.

Dab around the base of the plastic pack with a waterbased ink pad. Position on scrap card and press down well around edges. This should give you the perfect size and shape for your aperture and or inside of Frame . Cut it out and use it as a template/

If you use the pop open packging it can be a bit more hit and miss to get the perfect fit, its definatly trial and error. Also It is a good idea to rub a little hi tack glue along the outside edge of the raised lip just before closing when finished . This will then keep it closed .
To make a shaker with a peice of altered art I have this example some of you will recognise it from my Gothic Arches by the sea challenge entry.

well now its a shaker game.

For an example of a layout with a shaker game

The shaker box was made with a Basic Grey large tag as the starting point. My lo was about wether I was a positive or negative person, and the conclusion was that I was positive because if I wasn't, I d stop trying so hard. I used the shaker box to hide my journalling
Because the conclusion of my lo was that I kept trying, I titled my shaker game Try Try Try Again which suited the lo and the game.

Tips

Make sure you keep all internal decoration of the game flat and glue down well so edges do not lift. Unless you want to make a maze game with string.

Matt decorated peice onto another 2 peices of card (Do not use xyron for this. I find a good glue stick works best xyron makes your beads stick) Then punch holes where required but only punch deep enough to cut through top two layers.

If using foam tape to create shaker box. before you add acetate and frame to your box rub around the inside edges of your foam tape with a cotton bud dipped in talc or cornflour (blow off excess 1st) this stops your beads sticking. You can if you are really fussy as I have Ink the edge of your foam tape with stazon I used blue on the By the sea shaker. Whilst still on the roll and make sure you let it dry before putting shaker together.

Also make sure your beads are round and roll well, (crystals can be used if they are well shaped and roll well) and are the right size for your shaker. If your beads are big add another layer of foam tape.

anyway thats my tips

So there are my examples. I cannot wait to see what you all do with this. Rosie I especially want to see your altered art shaker box game.

Don't forget as well as the challenge where you can get draw tickets for the challenge prize there is also the Competition for the best crafted peice with one straight winner see post below. For rules and place to post Competition not challenge entries

Winner of the 8 by 8 challenge was really hard to choose I liked all the cards for different reasons but in the end I chose

By Heather. I love the colour and how effectivly she has used the space. Great card Heather and well done. 5 extra draw tickets for the Draw prize with your name on . Good luck in the draw

I did promise another free paper so here it is

Its another in the retro balls papers If you like it you can download it free here
FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

I will only be posting a short post tommorow ladies catch you later

Dovecraft Laura Ashley COMPETITION STARTS NOW. Competiton Post

2008-04-14T11:22:00.008+01:00

Hello all

Well this is the start of the competition and it ends on the 14th May . European entries have to contain at least one Dovecraft product , Other international entries must use either Bind it all, DCWV or Hampton Art stamps. Other than that competition is open to any crafted object .

All entries must be displayed in your gallery or blog and list the relevant product used.

So this is the Competition Prize on offer

Dovecraft Laura Ashley 12 by 12 paper pack Clear stamp set (has traditional and contemporary stamps) 1 pack ribbon stickers and one pack dome stickers. This is a lovely prize and you will enjoy using it the stamps are lovely the papers are really lush and also very versatile. The ribbon stickers look silky and are glittered as well.

I must admit to you that this week has been a bit of a rush and the time I planned for working on my examples for the competiton was eaten up. I do have one quick card as an example and another example that is also a hint for the challenge but I will be posting other examples in the next few weeks. You can see other examples in previous posts

Card using 6 by 6 Laura Ashley pappers and Dovecraft chipboard stickers, Sorry pics a bit squiffy and the lighting in my office (photography space is not right either) as well , but it will have to do till tommorow. So below is the example for using Dovecraft products and for the challenge as well ( Have you guessed what it is yet!!!! lol)

This uses the contemporary 6 by 6 pack or papers and one of the woodblock stamp set stamps. It also has a DCWV sticker for my international readers.

Well I am off till tonight when I will be finishing my Challenge post and example . Have an appointments at the Doctors and I must not be late . So TTFN will post a freebee paper tonight

PS everytime you enter a peice for the Competition you will automatically get one draw ticket for the challenge prize. Challenge post will be posted at 12 pm . So if your up come back then if not I will see you in the morning

Please post your competion entries here and your challenge entries in the challenge post

BYEEEEEEEEE
rattytatty

Today Competiton Start and New challenge Free paper download

2008-04-14T01:40:00.000+01:00

Well everyone

The challenge for the 8 by 8 card you have until midnight tonight to get your entries on the 8 by 8 challenge post HERE remember you do not have to use a Dovecraft product for the challenges but if you do you get an extra draw ticket. If you don't use a Dovecraft product you still have as much chance of winning the extra 5 draw tickets as someone who does. I will be picking my favorite 8 by 8 card, no matter what products are used. At just before midnight I will be posting the second challenge details. For another example which may give you a clue to challenge. This photo was of the 1st of this type I ever made

It was two years ago and I have come on a lot since then LOL. Come back tommorow morning to find out exactly what the challenge is. Its suitable for scrappers, cardmakers and altered artists alike. On the challenge post I will be adding a photo of the complete Draw prize.

Later today I will be posting the Competition post with photo of the Competition Prize (for rules see HERE, ) as soon as it is up you can start linking your projects using at least one Dovecraft product. Please remember to mention what Dovecraft product was used in your post or gallery photo description.

For international readers of my blog Dovecraft is available in Europe if you are still having problems finding any http://www.artandcraftworld./have a hugh range and very reasonable shipping charges and are relyable with despatching goods in good time. and you have until the 14th of May to get your entries in .

For non Europeans you are allowed to use DCWV, Hampton Arts or Bind it all for the Competition unless you want to use Dovecraft products ( there are so many lovely products to choose from) in which case click on Art and Craft world link .

I have decided to give away todays paper on this post

I hope you like it, it was inspired by a pair of curtains in a shop window. If you like it you can download it free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD . If I am feeling generous I may give away matching papers on the Competition post and the Challenge post

Dovecraft prize draw. Created by hand,Gothic arches challenge entries. Plus example for Mondays challenge, Free paper. and CJ Pics and more

2008-04-12T18:33:00.018+01:00

Hello all

This is going to be quite a long post. I have quite a few bits and peices for you to look at etc. So where to start.

(Challenges and Competiton prizes International entries welcome)
Dovecraft Laura Ashley contemporary stamps as you know are part of the prize for the partake in challenge, comments. and enter the competion draw. You get draw tickets every time you do one of those. The draw winner will receive 6 by 6 contemporary paper pack, The contemporary stamp set and a dome sticker alphabet and dome sticker embellishment set.

Anyway I have been playing around with one of the stamps in the set. Now I will admit that I have run out of baby wipes. So the stamps were not fully clean in between uses, But these are some of the many variations I got playing around with just the one stamp, and some stamping pens.

Anyway as no one has voted on the challenge for next week I have decided that I am going to do Big Bold and full of fun. Remember you get one draw ticket if you enter the challenge and 2 if you use a Dovecraft product, mentioning it in your blog or photo description in a gallery.

This is my example, I have created mine with Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie Papers, which lost the vote for the Mystery Book project (see details here) paper choice. I have used a Dovecraft brad on my project.

It started out as an 8 by 8 card but I love it so much that I have decided to create a Springtime album using my bind it all and use this as the front cover. I don't know wether you can tell but this is one of those roll the ball into the hole games. Anyway the challenge is something to do with the card/album cover above. Come find out on the 14th. Also don't forget that your 8 by 8 card challenge has to be posted and linked to challenge post HERE by the 14th don't worry Rosie I have added your link to that post.

Don't forget the 14th is the day you can start adding your competition entries to the 14ths Competion post, and don't forget if you don't win the prize (Laura Ashley Traditional 12 by 12 papers, Clear stamp set , ribbon stickers and dome embellishments) for the favorite entry of the sponsor, you still get tickets in the draw (draw prize listed at top of post) for every entry you make. Competition finishes on the 14th May so loads of chances to enter.

Unless you are American or Canadian you have to use 1 Dovecraft product per competition entry and mention it either in photo description in gallerys or in your post if its shown on you blog. If you are American or Canadian, you can either buy Dovecraft from the Uk try HERE has very good shipping prices, or the sponsor has said that you can use Hampton Arts stamps, DCWV or a bind it all as long as you say exactly what you have used instead and still get the extra draw ticket and entry to the competition. FULL COMPETITION RULES AND PRIZE DETAILS

I think thats all in regards to my competition and challenges. So here are some bits and peices that I have been working on yesterday and today.

This is the CJ I am doing with my sisiter her Mother in law and a friend were going to pass them round 4 times , so we needed a subject that we could change so mine is I love

This is my 1st entry Art that I love, my second one is going to be Music that I love.

This is my entry for the Gothic Arches By the sea challenge . Its my 1st Gothic Arch challenge really enjoyed it. I have been playing around with printed line art and had this weird image of a woman with a fish hat, which I love dispite it being so bizzare, so I had to use it.

Above we have my entry for The Created by hand Watercolour backgrounds challenge . You cannot see much of the background , again I have been playing around with printed line art. I cut out the white sections of the armchair leaving the lines , so the background is exposed and stamped the corner stamp in that area before adhering the cut out line art. I used watercolour washes and then watercolour pencils to create the background.

I have also created you a free paper download based on watercolour backgrounds Hope you like it.

If you like it you can download it free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

I won't be posting on Sunday I have promised myself a day off. So catch you on Monday

Mens cards Project Download, Dovecraft Masculine papers examples . Theme Thursday Challenge,Thank god its Friday Challenge Entry

2008-04-11T01:00:00.004+01:00

Have been busy, I am tidying my craftroom today. Its amazing how quickly it can get into a mess,. So have concentrated on that, but I have nipped in to make a quick couple of posts.

In relation to the competition which starts on the 14th April (see details HERE) I have some examples of cards made using Dovecraft Products . These cards are made from the Masculine Paper pack and masculine brads and ribbons

I must admit that mens cards and layouts are always harder to do than womens cards and layouts , but with this range of papers brads and ribbons it easy to put together cards and layouts in a flash. So these are my examples of cards using Dovecraft products for today. Dont forget if you are American you can use Hampton Art, Bind it all or DCWV products instead of Dovecraft. Due to the unavailability of Dovecraft in America.

Anyway as I have started on a male theme I have decided that today It would be pretty much an all male post so today I have another dowloadable project for you 3 Male cards. My favorite being "Who says your going downhill rapidly" card

All my projects are avail;able to download free here FREE PROJECT DOWNLOADS

I also have a Craft Robo cutting file or GSD Its a multi stackable border not suitable for handcutting or other machines if you want to download it . Go to GSD Download link in the sidebar. In the title it will give you a password which you need to remember and enter in lowercase in the password box.

If you want to take part in the 8 by 8 Big Card challenge you still have 4 days to get your entry in (see details and instructions for 8 by 8 card blank HERE)

Update on the mystery book we have 9 participants so far . You can see all the information on the Mystery Book Project HERE

and finally I do have a freebee paper for you hope you like it

If you like it you can download it free here. FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

Finally 3 things . You can vote in my sidebar for your choice of project for the 14th You have 24 hours to vote . Secondly don't forget if you make a comment on any post between 2nd April and 14th May you will get 1 draw ticket, you will get 1 ticket per post you comment on. and finally You can be getting your competition entries ready the more entries the more chance of winning.

So thats me for today. I think I will be busy most of tommorow but we shall see. I may nip in to give some GSD, and free papers .

ANYway I have nipped back to upload my layout using the Just my man paper. I am a great believer in work smarter not harder so I have combined it with two challenges, killing three birds with one stone THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY , Blue and Green Challenge and THEME THURSDAY s Cherish challenge. Have been up since 5 o.clock working on this I started with the cherish theme then went and checked out some of my favorite challenge sites and I thought that Thank God its Fridays challenge could be done with this paper . It needed a bit of messing around but I love the result

Hope you like my example and takes on the challenges
Will catch you laters

Free Card project Download Young Women cards Dovecraft Amethst Papers by Kate Knight plus Street Team entry

2008-04-09T11:45:00.010+01:00

Hi have just nipped in to post you a free card project using Dovecraft Kate Knight papers. Kate Knights new pack will be out towards the end of May. They are lovely, and as veratile as the 1st ones. Later in the Month I will be using them in a downloadable project keep checking back . One of the cards envolves stamping and embossing metal. Makes great 3 d embellishments take a look.

Anyway if you want to make any of these cards you can download the project sheet here

FREE PROJECT SHEET DOWNLOADS this link gives you access to all my blog projects

Oh by the way just to say how disorganised I am . Quilting club is next week LOL so I have a little time to work on my blog hense the free project sheet

Hope you like it

I was blog surfing today. Start at my last posts 1st comment, then go to that persons 1st blog , then their 1st link, or comment etc and I came across

GPP NETWORK STREET TEAMand their crusades wow what a stunning amount of inspiration and technique tutorials ,They are on challenge 19 Cut it out, Make your own stencils.

So I have created a GSD stencil and matching mat of yesterdays large owl, you can download it in the side bar.

Can also be downloaded as JPG for hand cutting and use with other programable machines in the same place . If you want to know what to do with your matt and stencil click on the STREET TEAM link above and be inspired. Hopefully later today i will get an example of work produced with template. If I have enough time

Have been playing around with my stencil and designed you an extra freebee paper for today called Towit Towooow

Using my owl stencil as the start of the design and the fact it had to be black and white to make up for my triangle entry not making it in time and being able to use it for the Black and white challenge instead for Arty Girlz Challenge Blog. If you like it you can download it free

here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD

I have mirrored it and printed it off as a small acetate overlay am off to play bye for now.

Ps don't forget to comment for Dovecraft Laura Ashley Draw tickets and to get your challenge entry in before 14th April

Free Paper download

2008-04-09T00:22:00.006+01:00

Well its going to be a short post today everyone . Will be very busy all day, and Doctor says that I ought to take it a bit easier. I have been spending a lot of time on my blog and trying to sort out the prizes for next months competition and the Mystery book challenge. Have been burning the candles a bit

so here goes

Last in the Floral Avoidance paper set. If you like it you can download it free here FREE PAPERS DOWNLOAD sorry if you tried to download , link was broken now fixed.

Am working on something unusual which will both be available as a free paper overlay files and GSD cutting files. Hopefully it will be on tommorow night. My downloads and GSD files have been flying out, which means I must be doing something right.

5 More days to get your entry in for the 8 by 8 card challenge, see details HERE

5 days to go to get your early entries ready for the competition, details HERE

Leave 1 comments on any of the posts dated between 2nd April and 14th May and you will get 1 draw ticket per post (so comment on 10 posts and you get 10 draw tickes)

Mystery book project is coming along nicely. We have 9 interested people who have voted on which Cosmo Cricket paper collection and blackboard book they would prefer the project to be done with you can Read Mystery book project post HERE

In the sidebar is a GSD Downloads link . There are now jpg available to handcut 1 project and a Jpg for owners of other programmable machines to use to make their own files.

So I think that is all folks. Am off to bed this morning (again) well the Doc said go to bed early LOL am off patchwork and quilting all day.

Thats all folks

Arty Girlz Challenge entry, free paper, competition update

2008-04-07T23:02:00.009+01:00

Here is another card using Dovecraft papers and All dressed up DCWV glitter stack

This was for my entry to the Arty Girlz Triangles challenge, ( its 12 inches by 8 inches) take a look there are loads of wonderful entries there are so many inspiring places and crafters out there. However I was too late to enter it into that challenge by minutes, However next challenge is Black and White so I have entered it for that instead. Same link as above. The same Charcoal prints as in the 8 by 8 card . Ive added red gems to the top paper and red brads to the bottom paper

Announcement for American and Canadian crafters who can't get hold of Dovecraft. I have been given the go ahead for American and canadian crafters only you can use any of Bind It All, DCWV or Hampton Art products instead of a dovecraft product. I hope tthat this makes thing easier for you all to enter the comp.

If any of you are interested in having instructions on how to make a 12 by 12 triangle card post a comment and I will put some togethr. maybe for the next challenge.

Anyway I was checking my blog stats earlier and 951 hits today from 235 crafters, and so few comments all those chances missed. Check out my blog stats at http://www.craftyblogs.co.uk/for those of you who havent listed your blog on crafty blogs, it tells you how many hits and visitors you've had and promotes your blog at the same time nifty tool.

Anyway I have uploaded a new GSD file 3 owls in my download link in sidebar. You will need to enter the password which is in the Link title after Todays password is
There is also a JPG which could be handcut or you can use it in your other programmable cutting machines to create your own cutting file I now have two folders in the gsd download folder one called handcutting and the other programmable diecut. I will be placing JPGs of some of my files in the suitable catagories. The owls are suitable for handcutting and other programmable die cut machines so you will find them in the relevant folders.

Finally here is my free digital crafting, scrapbboking paper download for today.

All bright and breezy today hope you like it its called Summertime check
If you like it you can download it free HERE

So thats all for today folks. I won't be doing much of a post on Wednesday I may have some new GSD#s if I get time and a freebee paper. So as you won't have much to read get tackling my crafting Challenge for the 8 by 8 card and entries into the draw
and comment on my posts between 2nd April and today and you will get more entries into the draw, Spread the news on your blog, leave a comment with link to your blog and get 2 entries into the draw.
Byeeee for now

Only one entry in the 8 by 8 card Challenge with instructions (INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES WELCOME)

2008-04-06T19:55:00.009+01:00

Well I am really surprised that there has been only 1 entry in the challenge so far,although I have had some e mails from international readers (International entries welcome in any of my competitions and challengeswill ship prize internationally) saying that it was difficult for them to enter, so challenge was originally till 7th but now will be running till 14th to give people chance to buy some Dovecraft products if they are international and want 2 draw entries I think that this is only fair).
So you still have a week to enter this challenge
I am really looking forward to seeing your 8 by 8 cards. (for instructions on how to make 8 by 8 card blank from A4 card see challenge post see post

However there are quite a few comments on my blog (1 draw ticket for each comment, I comment only per person per post. Unless linked to competiton or challenge entries), and a few who have linked their blogs to the competition post (2 draw tickets). Full Prize and competition rules here
Come on ladies get your early draw tickets comment on my blog posts dated between 2nd April and 14th April or enter the challenge and be in with more chances of winning the draw prize.
There will be another challenge posted on the 14th in a Challenge post (which will also run for 2 weeks) Competition for the craft item prize will start on the 14th. in Competition post. Get your competition entries ready now
I am not posting much today as I ended up working through the weekend . I do have a
another freebee paper in the Floral Avoidance set

Hope you like it . If you do you can download it free here Free Paper Download
Look in my side bar for free GSDs (Craft Robo cutting files) This will be updated in the near future to GSDs and cutting templates. When I get the time to un engineer my current GSD's so I can save them as JPGs.
If you download the free paper and leave a comment below in the comment box on this post you get 1 entry into the draw. Thats great I give you a free paper and a chance to win crafting stash all at the same time INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES WELCOME

Update on the mystery Album, journal project. It will definatly be going ahead, and there will be a kit, just need to iron out the final kit requirements. We really need you to to tell us if you are interested in doing the mystery journal and wether you would consider buying a kit, so the lady who is willing to do the kits knows if she needs more stock. If you are interested could you leave a comment with your e mail and then as well as posting kit info and supplies list on here I can e mail you direct as a reminder that project will be starting soon and you need to get supplies.
Everything in the project can be hand cut and there will be templates, which could be cut in any programmable die cut machine eg Wishblade, Craft robo, or Cricut expression with Sure cuts a lot softwear if you have one. I will be putting a downloadable Craft Robo GSD file for download as well.
Anyway thats all for now

Competition and draw rules (requested)

2008-04-06T07:45:00.013+01:00

Hi All and apologies

One of my friends has pointed out that shes not sure what prize she can win for doing what .
This is my fault as I shown you little bits at a time and have never put everything in one post so you can see which prize and what to do. Sorry if you were confused So here goes and Thanks Ann

INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES WELCOME (prize will be posted anywhere in the world))

DRAW PRIZE
Dovecraft Laura Ashley Contemporary set of items

Which are Dovecraft Laura Ashley Contemporary 6 by 6 Paper pack, wood block stamp set and two packs of the matching dome stickers (alphabet and embellishments )

To get draw tickets you can

Comment on any post between 2nd April and competition end date and you get 1 draw ticket

Due to the unavailability of Dovecraft products in America and Canada .Americans and Canadians (only) can use any of these Bind It All, DCWV or Hampton Art products for their entries and they will get 2 Draw tickets (still need to be mentioned in your description) They can also use these in the competiton and entries will be valid

Take part in any of the two challenges. For every attempt at the challenge. if you use any Dovecraft products 2 tickets if not 1 ticket . Winner will recieve 5 draw tickets

Winner of the challenge will recieve 5 extra tickets in the draw (1st challenge HERE and post your links to challenge here) 2nd challenge will be on the 14th April

You will also get a draw tickets every time you enter the Crafting competiton Entries with Dovecraft 2 tickets entries without 1 ticket

Spread the news. If you post on your blog about the comp (with link in my comments) 2 tickets

CRAFTING COMPETITION start date 14th

Dovecraft Laura Ashley Traditional prize set

Dovecraft Laura Ashley Traditional 12 by 12 papers, clear stamp set, 1 set ribbon stickers , and 1 set dome embellishment stickers.

Create any craft item with at least one Dovecraft Product (which must be mentioned in your post or in photo title discription)
Display it on your blog, photo gallery, lens or any other place that you can link too. Post a comment on Competition post with link to it. (recieve tickets in draw as mentioned in draw prize)

Then on the 14th of May the sponsor of this prize will select their favorite entry. Which will be announced on the 15th May

You can enter as many or as few times as you want.

Good luck everyone.

Mystery Book details and Rock star card project Download

2008-04-05T01:30:00.012+01:00

Hi all

I have had an amazingly hectic day yesterday , so haven't managed to do any more examples for the competition. I had a box through the post yesterday morning from Cosmo Cricket, Wow love everything. I am really keen to work with all of it. You will be seeing and hearing more in the near future.

Cosmo Cricket honey pie

I do patchwork and quilting and have been thinking about mystery quilts. They give you a list of fabric one week, tell you what sizes to cut it in the next week. The week after you get some instructions to assemble sections and so on.

I have been thinking that it might be a great way to do a project say over a week. (Obviously I would give you the supplies needed list 2 weeks before) I am in negotiations with an interested shop owner , So there will be a kit. Details when supplies list is issued

I would like to think that each stage is a starting point and that you can wander of it and back to it whenever you want. Alter bits add bits leave bits out etc. It would be really interesting to see posts at each stage to see just how quickly they all deviate. There will be a downloadable sheet of instructions every day so that you can complete it in your own time if you prefer.

I would love to do a project with One of the Cosmo Cricket packs and a Cosmo Cricket blackboard book . If you would be interested in taking part in this challenge leave a comment on here.

Cosmo Cricket Fleuriste papers

I will put up two votes on my side bar and you can vote for which collection and which album you would like me to use for the project FLEURISTE or HONEY PIE and KATES ALBUM ( project will be a Music journal which will hold 6 cds or RUBYS ALBUM (project not quite finalised).

Click on the links to see each paper pack in detail then vote on my side bar . Project will be made with the top collection and album choice.

I will give you a week to vote and comment and if there is enough interest I will then announce the supplies list and start date the following week. Then on the start date you will get the 1st instruction download.

As promised I have the DCWV Rock Star Cards project download which you can download free here

Free DCWV Card Project Download

I have managed to do you another freebee paper download in the floral avoidance set

If you like this you can download it free here. Free Paper Download
Hope you like it.
Anyway thats me for the weekend, I am having a day off after an amazingly long week. I am still supposed to be taking it easy so I will not push it so tommorow I hope that some of you post links to the competition post, start getting you challenge entries posted and work on your competition entries.

Comment on this post if you want to take part in the mystery book project.

If you want to take part in the competition HERE are the rules and the Spread the news comments draw entry

If you want to take part in the challenge for 1, 2 or 5 extra chances in the competiton draw read my post HERE

Don't forget there will be another challenge on the 7th and the competition starts in earnest on the 14th.

I would also like to tell you about Explore a new craft. My new group on squidoo.(Brand new last night has 5 new lensea already) I have recently been experimenting with mixing different crafts in finished items. I think lots of papercrafters are looking for something new and different. I am taking a glass slumping class. so I can make my own embellishments, and am learning beading techniques for the same reason. I thought that it would be great to have a place where crafters from different mediums could get together and exchange ideas, techniques and skills.

So I have started the group, if you fancy messing around with new techniques in your crafting come along. you can share your knowledge and learn about crafts that you had not even thought about.

I am planning to record my experiments in mixed medium crafting on my blog and hope that you will enjoy the successes and failures as I go along.

Have a great weekend

Ist example for Competition. Big card trend challenge for an early draw entry

2008-04-03T12:46:00.025+01:00

Since seeing some of the extra large cards that seem to be the new trend in cardmaking, I have been meaning to try big cards for a while so this morning when I was contemplating what to create for my 1st example of a competition entry it seemed the obvious choice .

So here is my 8 by 8 card

Using Dovecraft 8 by 8 Paper pack Charcoal Prints by french Designer Sandra Ranarison (which was in the Dovecraft Spring promotion goodie bag with loads of other great bits and i loved the bag too. Am going to try and alter it ) but you can buy the papers seperatly
The ribbon across the card is cut from one of the sheets of paper. The centre of the flower is Dovecraft charm brad. available in sets of six HERE.

The Big flower (5 inches in diameter) was one I got by taking a pound shop large peony head to peices. I always go to the pound shop for artificial flowers to take to bits. Small black flower was from my stash . I added diamonte gems to the centre of the printed flower and across the paper ribbon. I also added a paper ribbon to the back.

To make an 8 by 8 card blank . You need 2 peices of A4 card . Cut one peice into an 8 by 8 square. With the paper portrait place it in your cutter and cut to a width of 8 inches.

With your score board ( no matter which one you use) place short side of paper against the stop. Then score on the 1st score line. Fold at score line. With score line folded place card into your trimmer with unfolded edge on the side to be trimmed. Place fold along 8 inch mark and trim.

Take your card with the fold and place fold on right hand side and open out fold. Place glue, doublesided tape or tape runner along the small flap created by the fold. With the flap slightly folded, position the 8 by 8 peice so that it butts up to the crease and the flap is behind it. then press to adhere. Cover over join with co ordinating ribbon or paper or use a peel of border along the edge

You now have an 8 by 8 card blank. For an easy background take an 8 by 8 peice of paper and trim 10mm or a 1/4tof an inch (depending on your mesurement prefference) from the top edge and one side edge. If your card has a border trim all sides by either 5mm or 1/8th of an inch .

So thats todays example. If you want a Challenge make an 8 by 8 card yourself , if you make an 8 by 8 card and link it here you will get 1 early entry into the draw. If it has a Dovecraft product on it and you mention it , you will get 2 free entries into the draw. I will pick my favorite and they will get an extra 5 tickets in the draw. Challenge will run to the 14th instead of the 7th (this has been requested to give poeple a chance to go shopping for dovecraft products) then I will post another and that will run to the begining of the competition.

If this is your 1st time on my blog, and your wondering about the rules and prizes for the competition check out my last two posts for information

I said yesterday that I would post a photo of the Dovecraft Laura Ashley 6 by 6 contemporary papers that is part of the craft entry Draw prize . So here they are

I will post the links to the 1st 10 entries blogs here
For the love of paper and all papery things blog and entry
MagicDivas blog and entry
Rosies altered (T)art and stuff blog

I have also got a freebee paper for you. Another in the floral avoidance set

If you like it you can download it here Free Paper Download

See you tommorow with the Die cuts with a view Rock star Card Project with downloadable project sheet. If I get time I will do some more examples using Dovecraft products. Oh and there will be another paper in the floral avoidence set.

2nd prize in the Competiton announcement. Dovecraft Laura Ashley Traditional 12 by 12 papers and more. Plus tommorow challenge for extra draw tickets

2008-04-03T01:00:00.006+01:00

The second prize that we has been generously donated by the online shop http://www.artandcraftworld.com/that I linked to in my previous link because they had international shipping, good prices and a very big selection of Dovecraft products . As I have linked to them, they have offered another prize to be awarded to their favorite craft project (Isn't that brill) especially when you see the prize will be so here goes

Laura Ashley 12 by 12 pack of papers Traditional

Laura Ashley Ribbon Stickers Traditional

Laura Ashley Clear stamp set

(traditional and contemporary images mixed stamps)

and if that wasn't enough to finish of this great prize, we have the final item a pack of

Laura Ashley Traditional Embellishment stickers

So thats the Prize for the item chosen as our guest judges favorite craft entry.

Tommorow I will post pics of the Contemporary papers and the rest of the prize selection no 1 also if i get time in my hectic shedule tomorrow I will create a couple of examples of items using Dovecraft products. Once the comp starts I will post some examples of what you can create if you win either of these lovely prizes. .

Also there will be a CHALLENGE , which if you take part in you will recieve 1 early entry into the competition draw, or 2 entries if your finished item uses a Dovecraft product. Come back tommorow. Challenge will run till the 7th. When there will be a new challenge.

for full details of how to enter and start date visit Competition announcement post

Well on another note Look whatI have been given The Arte Y Pico award

from the lovely Debbie

This award originates from the Spanish blog Arte Y Pico and there are 5 rules attached, they are:1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language. 2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link "Arte Y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. 5) To show these rules.

The 5 people I award this to are

1 Rosie (Rosie is a really friendly blogger she is ace. Her blog is great to read and always full of great stuff)
2 Shauna (I love her freebees and the style of her blog)
3 Amy (She selects some wonderful Digi freebees . And I always like her choices )
4 Lisa Lam ( I adore all her bags I wish mine were as good speaks a below average patchwork quilter)
5 Julie (Great inspirational craft selected from blogs around the world. Love seeing the items that have been showcased ) Sorry I was choosing between 2 blogs and got the names mixed up the blogger is julie not Alex

It was really hard to think of all the people whos blogs I check into and the ones that really impress me for different reasons. In the end these are 5 of a shortlist of too many to mention. Which reminds me that I really should update my blogs list LOL

Anyway that is all for me today

PS on Friday DCWV Rock star cards project sheet download
sorry no freebee on todays post but there will be one tommorow

Crafting competition Winner will receive Dovecraft Laura Ashley Contemporary 6 by 6 papers and Stamps

2008-04-02T01:02:00.013+01:00

Laura Ashley Contemporary stamp set, I will post a photo of the papers in a couple of days.

So the competition starts on the 14th of April. I am giving you plenty of warning so you can get crafting. You can enter no matter which country you live in. To enter you need to create craft items using at least 1 Dovecraft product ( If you want to decorate a plastic handbag with Dovecraft brads thats ok, if you want to use Dovecraft Stamps and stamp onto Fabric thats fine it can be any craft item) . If you need to buy try here select Dovecraft in the manufacturers drop down list and a massive range of products are available. They do international shipping for £4.99 for orders under £60.00 and if you get carried away free shipping over £60.00. Or you could put Dovecraft in my Google search box if you prefer. For every craft item you link to the competition post which will be dated 14th April you will recieve 1 entry into the draw for the prize.

You can have three items on one post , you get three entries. Your blog post (if you have more than 1 item in a post description must be clear as to which products you have used with which craft item) or photo description must tell me what Dovecraft item you used. The more you craft the more chances to win. You can type in the link of a photogallery photo if you haven't got a blog eg forum gallerys, photobucket etc .

You will also get an entry for every post (without a competition craft entry) on your blog that mentions the Competition and links to this post or the the competition post . So you can spread the word now, and start getting entries into the draw. You can enter no matter which country you live in. Prize will be sent no matter where you live. Competition entry will close on the 14 th of May . Winner will be announced a week later. I will also be announcing the next months competition at the beginning of May.

WOW WOW WOW UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF POST

Complete list of prizes and all entry options HERE

Talking about papers I have designed you another freebee

If you like it you can download it here Free Paper Download its called Floral avoidance stripes .
The Avoidance comes from this wonderful pallet by pixeljedi I found on Colourlovers if you want this pallet yourselves its HERE . Colourlovers has loads of great pallets and colours and patterns for you to browse its definatly worth a visit, but it will probably be a long one.

UPDATE
breaking News

There are going to be two , yes two prizes
The craft entry draw
and
TADA
There will be a prize for the favorite entry picked by the donator of the second Prize
Come back tommorow to find out what the second prize will be and who the donator is.

You can e mail this post to a friend by clicking the little envelope icon at the bottom of the post.
Anyway all thats me for today, start getting your craft entries ready the more items you have the more entries you get.

Tuesday Free digi paper, and a hint about my blog candy competition

2008-04-01T01:00:00.003+01:00

Well I have been busy today getting projects ready for the magazines, but I have managed to squeze in a freebee paper .

If you like it you can download it here Free Paper Download
Blog candy competition will be starting again on the 14th April only this time you will have loads of chances to enter. For every completed eligible craft item you post on your blog and link to the competition post you will get one entry. If you haven't got a completed craft item then you will get 1 entry for a post that links to my competition post. If you haven't got a blog you can post pictures in any online gallery and put the online address in the comments.

The prize will definatly be worth it keep popping back for hints about the wonderful prize Don't worry this is not an April fools

Free digi paper and some past crafting projects

2008-03-30T23:31:00.009+01:00

Well Ive managed it again another free paper if you liked he last one its in the same series of papers .

if you like it you can download it here Free Paper Download

I am working on the finished instructions for this weeks project The Rock Star cards. I have also got another idea for the Rock Star papers which may be a couple of weeks but well worth the wait.

Anyway I thought I would post some more pics of previous crafting projects just to give you a taster for the future.

Microscope slide cards

These were a project about doing something different with medallion stamps

A tear bear page

Had this lovely embroidered handmade paper for 2 years. Till I decided to do this mini book

anyway I am off for now catch you soon

Free digi paper and interesting Lippy Chick Flap book

2008-03-30T00:50:00.013Z

Well I have been feeling a bit better and have managed to spend a bit more time on the computer so, I have designed you a new freebee paper.

If you like it you can down load it free here FREE PAPER DOWNLOAD
Hope you like it.
I am planning on doing regular projects on my blog including some hybrid scrapping and crafting using papers and embellishments from both the digital and conventional crafting arena. So be sure to pop back . I am also thinking of working with Microscope slides for both card making and scrapping. Here are some examples of some of my work

That was playing with peel offs and serendipity paper

This was a project I did for Making Cards magazine. The Papers (Autumn Leaves French Twist now sold out) and flowers and the Lippy Chick Book were all from www.angelcrafts.biz/
I am hoping that over the next few months I will be having at least 1 project a week and if I have time I may occasionally do 2 projects
Anyway hope to see you all soon
yours
Rattytatty

Well 1st day back a great success

2008-03-28T15:06:00.005Z

Thanks to all those who have downloaded my instructions and freebee paper. Hope that you have a great time using them. I am working on getting the blog candy competitions up and running again. I have some really nice items that I am thinking of having as blog candy over the next couple of months. So keep popping in the announcement for the 1st blog candy could be anyday.

I thought that I would give you a photo of next weeks card project so here it is

downloadable instructions next week.

I have a new freebee paper another in the waves collection

I think that this would be great for all those pool pics, hope you like it.
if you do you can download it here free papers download

anyway thats me for today folks.

Free card making project DCWV All Dressed Up and instructions and a free digi paper

2008-03-27T14:25:00.008Z

Hello all

I am a little better so I have decided that I am up to posting at least once a week. I know a lot of you wanted projects on my blog so I have decided that I am going to be doing one project a week, with downlodable instructions. I have 3 projects waiting to go 2 DCWV all dressed up card sets and 1 DCWV Rock star card set. So this week I have All dressed up Cards set 1 for you

instructions download here

These are three quick and simple in a rush cards, instructions come compete with a suppliers list for the items you don't already have. Over the next few months I will be doing a whole range of projects from mini books , cards layouts. Stamping, Microscope slide jewelery and anything else that takes my fancy. I will be uploading 3 rock star cards next week for those grungy teenagers in your life.

I am also offering a free paper download Hope you like it

available to download HERE
Anyway by for now. Keep checking in as i may feel up to posting again very soon

Hello all

2008-02-16T22:45:00.002Z

Sorry i have been away for so long. I am still not well but thought that I would nip on to say that I am still around. I am now a nanny . Yippie to a little boy called Jake.
Hopefully as soon as they sort out a few of my problems I will be back on and posting regularly again
TTFN
Tracey

Tuesday 27th November

2007-11-26T23:07:00.000Z

And the winner is *sorry this is a day late

Congratulations
Angel Wilde who has a blog

All you have to do is decide wether you want clear polymer stamps or the rubber sheet stamps. Leave a comment on my blog with your e mail then I will e mail you for your address and your choice of stamp sheets and I will get them ordered and sent asap.
There will be a giveaway again this month so please keep commenting in my blog

For those of you who would like to buy the stamps go to Tanda Stamps Online Shop where you will find many many more wonderful stamp sheets as well

Although I have been very unwell I have managed one free paper this week Hope you like it.

If you do you can download it here Free paper download
If you can print it off > i bet it would look great with glitter on some of the stars or Sakura pen

Anyway hope to be able to post sometime later this week. If I feel up to it

I think the government should go

2007-11-20T23:21:00.000Z

Hello all and i know i am supposed to be taking it easy but I just had to come and post about this
After seeing newsnight tonight I was horrified to realise that not only has the government lost two data discs with 25 million peoples national insurance numbers, names addresses, child benifit numbers, but they have also lost 15 million childrens names addresses and ages.
If those discs fall into the hands of a peodophile ring all those children are put at risk.
This government should go

If you want to use this as a poster feel free to download it Download Here and display in your house and car windows. I am also hoping to put this on a t shirt at cafe press Direct link to items
Time and time again this goverment has shown that its inept, dishonest and useless. They have expected us to siut and twiddle out thumbs while the UK burns. Now its time we showed them how we feel

Tuesday 19th Nov

2007-11-19T23:28:00.000Z

Not good at this sitting and lying around doing nothing. So have designed a couple of papers which I will post over the next couple of days. Posts will be short and too the point.
So here is todays free paper

If you like it you can download it free. Free Paper Download
Don't forget to comment to get more chances of winning the wonderful tanda stamp sets

PS I am featured as a New Designer in this months (issue 39) Simply Cards and Papercrafts

urm You know I said I hadn't been well

2007-11-18T14:41:00.000Z

Well all. I spent all of Saturday in Leighton Hospital and half of today with a bp of 220 over 100 and something which I have been informed is very high. It is now 142 over 92 so has come down I have been told that I need to take it easy until they can find out what is wrong with me. I have a raft of tests that they want to perform over the next couple of weeks . So I will not be posting for a few days. Please come back and make comments on my blog to be in with a chance to win the tanda stamps. Which no matter what i will draw on the 26th November. I hope to be able to be back on before then . But I will definatly be doing the draw

Saturday 17th November

2007-11-17T01:14:00.000Z

Just popped in to say that one of my projects is featured on Making Cards Website as a downloadable project. To take a look and if you want to download project go Here
Don't know how long project will be online , but thought some of you may be interested

Friday 16th Nov

2007-11-16T01:41:00.000Z

Hello all.
Had a wonderful time with my Mum at Crewe Hall. Photos and scrapped page to come at later date. Think I may have overdone it a bit as am feeling run down again. At this rate I am definatly going to have to do something about this. Seems I have a day or two where I feel a bit more like my old self then start feeling shattered and under the weather again.
At this rate I am definatly going to have to have it checked out . I hate going to the doctors especially when you don't know exactly whats wrong and your best descrition is run down, tired and just feeling rough. Can't wait for the "stop doing so much" but if Im honest its not just how much work Im doing . As Im certainly not doing half as much as I was a couple of months ago. Well anyway now Ive had my moan.

Am busy all day today teaching scrapbooking in the morning, the pensioners lucheon club in the afternoon , then over to my Mums to take my stepfather to his doctors appointment as he is unwell . So probably will be shattered by tonight.

I have created a free paper , although I may do another version of this at a later date as ive had some more ideas of things I would like to do to it. However i won't be offering a free paper on Saturday or Sunday a I have promied OH that I am going to try to keep my work load down over the weekend and I still have a few projects to catch up on. I will be creating a paper for Mondays papercraft Junkies challenge.

Anyway don't forget to comment on my blog, to be in with a chance of winning the Tanda stamp sets that i have as blog candy this month.
Here is my Christmas paper it features a robin. Which I have been lucky enough to have in my garden over the last couple of days , unfortunatly where I live in the UK we rarely get snow. I would love to take some stunning snow photos unfortunatly that does require loads of white stuff falling from the sky.

If you like the paper you can download it free Free paper Download

Thursday 15th Nov

2007-11-15T01:37:00.000Z

Well did nt manage to get everything done, so will be really busy this morning trying to get everything finished before I take my Mum out for her afternoon tea.
Managed to get one example done for Mondays Papercraft junkies challenge, and smples ready for Fridays scrapbooking class and Pensiners luncheon club. Also have a circle journal entry that needs to be completed tommorow and must get some paying work done as well.

Anyway I have managed a free paper for you again. This time its a christmas paper . Again I think its a little unusual but I like it.

If you like it you can download it free. Free Paper Download

tommorow I have a christmas paper

Don't forget to comment to be in with a chance of winning the two stunning Tanda Stamp sets that I am giving away as blog candy see earlier posts for more info
Anyway will have to be going catch you all later

Wednesday 14th Nov Its going to be a busy day

2007-11-14T01:07:00.000Z

Well today is going to be a mad hectic day. have some card projects that I must do. I must create my class project for Fridays scrapbooking class and get all my stuff in order for the pensioners luncheon club Christmas card class. Plus have to work on Papercraft Junkies mondays examples. Design some more free papers . Get two birthday cards done.
As tommorow I am taking my Mum for Afternoon tea at Crewe Hall Hotel to celebrate her Birthday which was last week but she was busy so we booked it a week late. Have worked out that taking people for afternoon tea is a great birthday present as you get to have one as well Yippeee They do choux swans which are lovely I am hoping to get some photos to scrap . Im thinking of designing a swan paper to go with it.

Crewe Hall is as magnificent inside as outside. I think it is a stunning building and their afternoon teas are really special.

Anyway I may not get time tommorow to do a blog post. Hoping I can fit one in.
Anyway I have managed to create another free paper for you . Again based on violets as yesterdays again proved popular. I think this one may prove even more popular as I havn't posted it yet and its only been on the file for 3 mins and someone has already downloaded it

If you like it you can download it free. Free Paper Download

Don't forget you have until the 25th to comment on my blog to be in with a chance of winning the two stunning sets of Tanda Stamps. For all the information and how you can get even more chances of winning see previous Tanda stamps blog candy posts

Tuesday 13th Nov

2007-11-13T01:10:00.000Z

Well have had a day doing nothing. Its been great. Well almost nothing have designed another freebee paper but that all.
Have been keeping an eye on what tutorials you are interested in seeing , and I will give it another week and then do something with the most requested topic.
I hope to get some more samples done with the tanda stamps tommorow, as long as I feel a bit better than today. I am pacing myself

So anyway due to the popularity of my flower overlays I have created another for you this time based on violets

If you like it you can download it free Free Paper Download

Don't forget to comment on my blog (not on the paper download papges as they do not count) to be in with a chance of winning the amazing 2 sets of tanda stamps

Monday 12th November Papercraft Junkies Challenge

2007-11-12T01:26:00.000Z

Well another Monday and another Papercraft junkies Challenge.
This weeks challenge is entitles Explosion
To see all my talented team mates examples click HERE
I have only created 2 examples this week as I am still feeling under the weather, but hope to be back up to form for next weeks challenge.

Here are my examples

I have also created a free paper based on the theme of the challenge. Hope you like it

If you do you can download it free. Free Paper Download

Don't forget to comment on my blog for a chance to win the two sets of Tanda Stamps Retro Men set 1 and Retro women set 3. For more information on how you can get extra chances to win go to Blog candy post

Must admit now have my eye on retro women 4 set as well yet another stunning set

Saturday 10th November

2007-11-09T17:40:00.000Z

Hello all I am demonstrating again at Alexander paper Supplies at Dagfields near Bridgemere today. I am demonstrating their new Lustre card selection I must admit its really nice has a sparkle to it. Love the colours too.

Here are some pics of my samples mostly Christmas but will be doing other non Christmas as well

I will be demonstrating embossing techniques and how to do your own paper peicings and decoupage from favorite images

Anyway I have 1 example for you using The tanda stamps retro men and women sets that I am giving away on my blog for details see Blog candy post HERE.

I stamped the male image with brown ink the female I inked the stamp with brown removed the ink from the lips with a cotton bud. Then used a red whispers marker to colour the lips. Stamped the images onto K & co striped paper as shown. In microsoft word i created a text box the same size as my panel , positioned text boxes where the spaces on my panel were. typed in my text. Made the small text box lines clear
printed it onto printer paper. Then taped with doublesided tape my panel exactly over the printed text box > Then printed the text again. Trimed the excess copy paper of and adhered it to the front of my card. Which also uses Alexander paper Supplies Lustre card

I have managed to create another paper based on a previous one for you to download today

If you like it you can download it free. Free Paper Download

Friday 9th November

2007-11-09T01:05:00.000Z

Hi well now the blog candy has been announced, all you have to do is keep coming back and posting your comments for a chance to win the Retro Men and Retro Women 3 Stamp sets made by Tanda Stamps.

If you haven't seen Tanda Stamps huge range of unmounted stamps then you are really missing out. You can see and buy then Here

I have been working on some projects, some of which I will post on my blog tommorow.

In the meantime

This card was made using a glass painting peel off. Marvy le plume pens and the watercolour technique. The believe stamp was stamped using the thumping technque this is where you tap the side of your pens in random places on the stamp until it is covered

This is a brag bag I bought from ebay for $8.00 with postage it cost me about £7.00
I made panels for each pocket. You can make panels to go with all your jackets and coats and just change the panels or you can do panels for every season.

Anyway I have designed another freebee paper for you based on art nouveau with a japanese feel

You can download it free. Free Paper Download

Anyway I am off for now I look forward to reading your comments, I have been considering doing tutorials but only 5 people seem to be interested if you are interested to see tutorials on my blog then please vote.

Thursday 8th Nov Blog Candy Giveaway Announcement

2007-11-08T01:57:00.000Z

Hi all

Well I promised you a great blog candy giveaway this month. I haven't felt well enough to do the samples yet but here is what I am giving away this month.
Tanda Stamps Retro Men set 1 and Retro women Set 2

This is a picture of my sets but you will recieve 2 completely new sets. Which you can have in clear or rubber (Tanda stamps offers their stamps in both clear and rubber) depending on what the winner wants. Please be aware they will be ordered as soon as the winner decides which type of rubber stamps they want.
Now I was going to give away 1 set of Tanda Stamps, but Tanda Stamps have kindly said that they will give me the other set to add to the Blog candy giveaway. So thank you very much Tanda Stamps
I am hoping to get the samples done as soon as I am feeling a bit better. I have already used the stamps for a magazine project and I love them . Can't wait to show you some samples. Draw will take place on the 25th Nov
If you want to see more of the huge range of Tanda Stamps you can see and buy them all HERE
Don't forget comment on my blog and each comment earns you one ticket in the blog candy draw. Spread the news of my blog candy on your blog (leave me a comment saying you have) and you get 2 bonus tickets in the draw.

So anyway I have managed to create another free paper download for you its an overlay I made by playing around with one of the previous freebee papers.

If you like it you can download it free Free Paper Download

Wednesday 7th Nov

2007-11-07T00:29:00.000Z

Again just popped in to leave you a freebee paper download

free to download Free Paper Download

Tommorow i will be announcing the blog candy giveaway so make sure you come back and make sure you comment to be in with a chance to win

Tuesday 5th November

2007-11-05T21:00:00.000Z

Have nipped on to leave you a free paper download. Possibly won't be posting much this week but hope to pop on a couple more times to leave you a free paper . Anyway with christmas in mind . Hope you like this pastel Christmas paper

You can download it free here Free Paper Download

Papercraft Junkies Challenge

2007-11-04T16:40:00.000Z

Well all am still not well, am going to try to do a couple of posts this week so i shall see how we go

This weeks Papercraft Junkies challenge is
3 circles 2 squares and 1 rectangle

Here are my two examples

Dont forget to go to Papercraft junkies to see all my talnted tem mates examples.

The free paper today is not related to the challenge as I haven't been well enough to work on a challenge related paper. hope you like this one anyway

available to download Free Paper Download

Papercraft junkies Challenge

2007-10-28T13:01:00.000Z

Hello all dont forget its Papercraft Junkies Challenge day today.
Having been under the weather for a couple of weeks now, my partner has insisted that I have a couple of days off. So I have no examples, but go along to Papercraft Junkies to see all the wonderful examples by my teamies
Free paper is an Overlay

available to download here Free Paper Download