31 Dec 2010

Happy New Year!

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge Week #24

CCC week #24 posted by the lovely Linda at Studio L3 has only a few days to run so last night with my brain still like mush and no mojo at all ...... think it has got thrown out with the rubbish over the holidays...... I made this tag  after a lot of practise backgrounds being thrown in the bin I managed  to come up with two tags backgrounds which I thought were passable for this technique, DI used barn door, pine needles and peeled paint, stamps TH, those eagle crafters eyes out there will spot techniques from the twelve tags posted by Tim Holtz the tape rosette turned out a lot better this time and I didn't get all stuck up with it either ...  Hope you like my effort and roll on the next CCC  not long to go when hopefully my brain will be back in crafting mojo.

Hope you all have a fantastic New Years Eve and I wish you all

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!!!!!





Bye for now

28 Dec 2010

Santa has been..................

Snow-  Pine - Mahogany

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and Santa bought all you had wished for we had a great day with family and plenty of excitement Christmas Eve with our grandson who was sooooooooo excited that he hardly slept all night and crept into our bed at 2.30 am telling me "Santa's been" bless him I did get him back in his own bed but I really don't think he slept although he was quite!!.  In the morning there were sledge tracks in the snow and footprints to the door.............much excitement by one little boy ..........

Now I made this card for DH with the theme above which is the Gingersnap Creations Colour Challenge GC84 and I apologise for posting after Christmas but with the last min mad rush I forgot to post... Tag was made using DI aged mahogany, pine needle peeled paint I made the moon after applying aged mahogany around a circle, stamped and embossed forest with green glitter embossing powder (one in my stash with no name)  (also  stamped trees in the background with pine needles) and because it was rough to the touch by dragging embossing ink over them and dusting with white fine line embossing powder this gave the effect of snow on the trees I was really very pleased how this technique turned out as I was just experimenting..... Snowflakes were stamped and embossed in white and Santa stamped and embossed in black, I dry embossed white card with snowflakes (if you look really hard you can see them lol) and mounted all onto Burgundy (nearest I had to mahogany).

Ingredients Tim Holtz stamp snowflakes and DI 's and Tag; Stampin' Up! Card, punches, merry christmas stamp white embossing powder; Santa stamp and trees Creative Expressions; Sizzix Embossing Boards snowflakes

Also I'm sorry to say I have had to change the way comments are received on this blog and have switched on word verification hope you will bear with me on this as I have had some very weird and not very nice comments left so hope this will deter them. 

Bye for now

23 Dec 2010

Wishing you a Merry Christmas
and a very
Happy New Year
thank you for popping by my blog and leaving such great comments
see you in the New Year


Bye for now

Glitter Glitter Everywhere..............

A quick post to show this card and enter it into the Gingersnap Creations Challenge White Glitter as you can imagine there is quite literally glitter everywhere the house sparkles and twinkles as the glitter trail has followed me even though I made this card a few days ago taking a photo of glitter is not easy and this is the best of .. a lot.....


Must dash and go and make jelly for trifle or it won't be set for tomorrow.......








Stamps Used Dasher and snow burst sets, Marina Mist, whisper white and night of navy, scallop border punch and glitter all Stampin' Up!

Bye for now

22 Dec 2010

SNOW PEOPLE

Hi everyone are you snowed in we are 6" has fallen  altogether and although looking out of my window is like winter wonderland I can't get to the main road today so Christmas Shopping has been postponed until tomorrow hopefully ...... yes you heard right still have some to do not panicking ....much mostly food and DD was off work due to snow yesterday and walked to shops and she reported manic shoppers everywhere so she went home again, Oh well it is Christmas! I will do battle with the shops tomorrow and take DH to carry everything.

In between housework (only done at special times) and getting ready for the onslaught of family Christmas day if they can get here, baking and generally being a home goddess ....... one has to do ones duty at this time of year....... I have been crafting and making cards.

This one is for my Grandson who is very excited and I spoke to him on the phone today and we talked about Father Christmas coming in his sleigh and this year there is enough snow for him to glide over and he will not have to fly... also Rudolph will need plenty of carrots as it is very cold...... he was squealing with excitement by the time we had finished our conversation and was off to look at the roof in case Santa's sleigh had been there already as there would be tracks in the snow, (he is nearly 6) ahhhh bless so I expect DS was very pleased I called..................... anyway enough gossiping here is my card "snowpeople" love snow people which I will be entering into the Gingersnap Creations GC81 Snowpeople challenge. I made a shaker card which he loves cut out shape with nesties embossed the acetate with a Sizzix swirl folder, which I think makes it look like your looking through a frosted glass, the card was also embossed with same folder, stamp  is one I have had for years and years and there is no name on it, coloured with copics pens had to put red in somewhere as it it his favourite colour, ribbon and scallop punch Stampin' Up!

Better go now and ice the Christmas Cake will try to post others tomorrow if I have survived the shops!!!

Bye for now

14 Dec 2010

A Final Farewell

Last 3 Tags of the 12 Days of Tags

I finally finished the last 3 tags last night between coughing sneezing and runny eyes........I was determined as last year I failed miserably only 2 completed!!!  Feeling a lot better this morning your good wishes and crafting must have been good for me, just as well as I  will have to hit the shops later today and do some Christmas Shopping as I didn't manage any at the weekend!!

Day 10
Snowman is stamped from TH stamps and decorated like Tim's - very scary cutting up a snowman .....not to mention my big fingers getting in the way and all stuck up etc etc... this said I think he looks cute, the only TH folder I had that fitted was the swirls.  I found the buttons a while ago buried in my stash and wired them onto the ribbon.




Day 11
Again improvising ....stamped the a fir tree onto grungeboard and filled in with DI pine needles then cut out added white distress crackle paint to the tips of tree - my fluffy stuff dried dull should have used white glue not dries clear I think so I improvised with the crackle paint. Stamped the same tree tops down the edge and used clear embossing powder - will try out the stamp technique when I have more time.






Day 12
This one really tested me as I didn't have any of the supplies. I used the TH die hanging sign and the Hope movers and shapers die; now to get this to work I first cut out the hanging sign which I then placed accross the TH ornimental die, this is the one that the Hope movers and shapers die fits in and then ran through my bigshot, and it worked yipeeeeeeeee - are you still with me then I used DI ink and the Distress crackle rock candy clear.  Paper was from TH paper stack retro grunge - only one I have, pine cone decoration was scavenged from the bowl ( see background).




 I have really really enjoyed the journey and so glad I didn't fall at the final hurdle, Will be defo be trying out all the tips and tricks Tim showed us on the way. 

What are you doing with yours?  I thought I might make a hanging from them to inspire me through the year.

Thank you to Artyjen for linking us all to the 12 days of tags there is some amazing art to look at over there.


Other Stamps used Stampin' Up
Bye for now

12 Dec 2010

12 Days of Christmas Tags

Day 9

My DH has shared his man flu which he had last week and Friday I went down with it so have spent a miserable few days moping around feeling very sorry for myself.......... feeling a little better today so thought I would share with you day 9 Tag.
When this tag was posted my thoughts turned to how to make a rosette by hand  and while I was still thinking about all the scoring and such like Postie arrived with my Tim Holtz Alterations Rosette Die -  see me do dance around the hall  Whooooo Hooooo sent hot post from Wendy at The Stamp Attic, thank you thank you thank you, I couldn't believe my eyes as I have been waiting patiently (not) for the stock to arrive in UK.
So rushed into my room of craft and got cutting I love how easy it is to make a rosette and I also used Vintage Market Die for the Word Noel, I used lace as believe it or not I couldn't find a single piece of tinsel in this old house of mine!!!!!!
The last few days of tags have been spectacular and I am sorry today is the last day, will try to catch up with the last three during all the Christmas madness. 

Thanks to everyone who has commented on my blog I really do appreciate your comments and in such a busy time too.  I will try and leave as many comments as time allows but to all you 12 days of taggers I think your art is fantastic and there are some great interpretations of Tim's Tags  over at  ArtyJen pop over and feast your eyes on some fantastic tags.


Bye for now

10 Dec 2010

CCC Week 24

Week 24 Distress Stickles posted by Linda at Studio L3 these challenges are only being posted every 2 weeks for a while and it seemed such a long wait for week 24 challenge to come round even though we have had a T!m fix meanwhile with the 12 days of Christmas tags, so now for a while we can play with our TH stash everyday whooo hooo!!  This said I am sooooooooooooooooooooooo far behind with my Christmas preparations that I thought I had better make a Christmas Tag that fits in with this weeks CCC.  I expect DH with get this one on his present from Santa (haven't bought any yet!!)  I used my  new texture fade embossing folder (TH) for this tag and DI wild honey and brushed corduroy and perfect pearls for background colour and of course Distress Stickles.  Now Linda asked that we try very hard to get the sparkle to show - well I did try very hard honest I did Linda :D.

Until next time

Bye for now

9 Dec 2010

12 day of Christmas.... Tags

Day 8......Over the roof tops

Another great tag over at Tim Holtz 12 days of Christmas but boohoo, I had no ingredients for tag 8 recipe, so I improvised there's that word again and did it my way, oh no now I've got that song buzzing around in my head and it will be there all day lol. Santa was stamped from Stylish Christmas plate Creative Expressions and the houses are Stampin' Up! set Good Neighbors, swirls are TH stamp, loved the wire for smoke so tried it out but now think the smoke is a bit big for the houses now I have put the tag together.
Only a very short time now until today's tag is posted oh what excitement, 'till tomorrow or later today!!!

Bye for now

8 Dec 2010

WOYWW

Have only shown my desk once here so thought in a moment of madness I would join in today this is how it looked as I walked in to my room of craft this morning!  What you can't see is the floor - no  you can't see the floor I had to pick my way in between stash I had pulled out last night and left there!!!
As you can see it is untidy although I like to think creative more than messy you will see some of the 12 tags of Christmas propped up and drying as I left them last night no point clearing away as I will be making today's tag later hopefully - have you looked yet it is my favourite to date I love Santa in his sleigh.



Bye for now

BRRRR..... Freezing weather Poor birds

Feeding the Birds

We have taken pity on the pheasants that appear at our house every morning and more and more are coming each day in this freezing weather so I thought you may like to see some pics taken this morning out of the kitchen window DH braved the cold at 6.30am -6  before work to take out the feed.  Photos are not as clear as they should be .....think the windows want cleaning no chance when there is so much crafting to be done LOL. 












Total count of pheasants this morning was 11 2 male and the rest females

Even the Blackbird got some breakfast he was soon there


Have to go and defrost car hope it starts we are off to see grandson in school play today Ahhhhh cant wait I'm so excited. 


Bye for now

7 Dec 2010

12 Days of Christmas Tags Day 6 & 7

2 Posts in one day!! I just had to play tonight and catch up on the 12 days of Tags posted by Tim Holtz everyday

Tags for Day 6 and 7 have been finished and are still drying as I took photo, had a great time again with these and a lot of improvising again.
Day 6 as I don't have the reindeer die I used the only one I had and he's just a baby really think he may be lost in the forest - no not really lol.  The trinket is from my stash and says "follow" which I thought appropriate. 
Day 7 I made the flower from card and it doesn't bend so well. Had great fun again hope to play again tomorrow.


 will link  these 2 tags at  Artyjen blog too, there are some amazing tags over there, have fun 'till tomorrow (hopefully)

















Playing Tag ...........

........Catch Up

After a busy weekend away at a Christmas Dinner and seeing friends Monday's weather here was freezing fog brrrrrrr and sooooo cold,  I couldn't see further than the end of the garden all day, so I decided to stay in and play tag!  Each Day Tim Holtz is making a new tag Pop over and see they are such fun to do and today's tag is just sooooo gorgeous (think a lot of improvising will be happening on this one as yesterdays too)  Here are the tags I made yesterday. Quite a bit of improvisation going on!!



Day 3

Day 4
 Day 3 really enjoyed this one had to improvise on the small card as I don't have any vintage Christmas papers the tape flower was a great tutorial I got very stuck up and laughed along the way defo a technique that's needs more practice from me! did any one else get all sticky -  or is it just me?
For day 4 I didn't have any Facets so used a fragment not the same  but I did the same technique on it, also didn't have any suitable papers as I usually don't use them much so I stamped Santa onto tag and added some gems. Very much an inspired tag.
 Day 5 I actually did this tag first as I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. As I didn't have the metal numbers I used grungeboard numbers and painted them and embossed them - I love how they bubbled up and the effect that gave.I love metal embossing and the flowers turned out great using the powder colours I had you eagle eyed crafters out there will see I have also improvised in other areas too. 

I only have day 6 and today's tag to do now which  hopefully I will be able to do today and post before tonight.  Will link these to Artyjen's site too where all the people playing along with the 12 tags for Christmas are linking.


Blogger is playing up big time and nothing is going where I put it even the text hope it is readable when I post!!!!
Bye for now



2 Dec 2010

12 Days of Christmas Tags



The Master of Tags Tim Holtz has created again  Day 2

Here is my tag for today again I had to improvise with what I had really enjoyed playing and there were some amazing tips in today's tutorial will have to get some felt pad and try them out!!

This is way too much  fun!


I have a busy few days in front of me so will have to play catchup with the tags next week only hope I can catch up

Bye for now

Maggie

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS TAGS



CLICK TO BE TRANSPORTED TO A MAGIC LAND
YIPPEE the day has finally (well  yesterday 1st Dec) arrived and the Master Tim Holtz is once again transporting us for 12 days with his special magic to a land of Christmas tags click the link and join the fun.

After waiting and waiting for the post to go up I was eager to get started but to my dismay I had not got 2 of the dies Tim used, so with his word ringing in me ears "think outside the box" I not only thought outside I  took a big leap - well I was determined to play even though I didn't manage to post on the 1st as everything was wet and drying.  Here is my take on the first tag.

Yep I told you I was right outside that box - my thoughts were the bird cage is a "house" for the bird and I crinkled it to look rickety - still with me, if so I then took the elements of Tims tag. I followed all the steps, had to improvise along the way with what I had in my stash I was pleased with the result and I at least got to play.  Thinking I might just need that house die though pleeeeeease Santa.

'till the next tag

Bye for now



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