Last Post of 2013

I hope you all had a lovely, relaxing Christmas.

I wish you all a wonderful New Year.

I hope you all find more time for craft in 2014.

 

I will leave you with a final design of 2013.

My forum friend, Anne has a birthday on

Christmas Day & here is the card I made for her.

 

 

Paper is Websters' Pages

Stamps - Tim Holtz - Paris to London

Die - Tim Holtz Cabinet card

Technique - Shabby Chic - from

Creative Chemistry 102

Clear Embossing ink & powder

black & pink paint



Christmas Cards

Cards made using TH CC102 technique Distress Paint Resist.

Stamp by Papermania, Stars die cut & heat embossed tinsel silver.

Backgrounds;- various inks & stains.

Carol, Karin, Kaz & Penny.

 

 



 

Pictures from my photo collection.

Scrap paper - Lemon Owl - Cozy Winter

Bauble - designed & cut by Silhouette Cameo.

Katie - Labrador, Claire - Westie

5 baubles made for train gang

3 birds in snow for my scrap shoppin' girls 

More CC102 distress paint resist using Hero Arts Music Stamp.

Card die cut on Silhouette, deer - Memory Box, & Fence - DieNamics dies

using big shot & added along with stamped trees.

Bird & cages TH die. Swirls - XCut die

Merry Christmas - Cheery Lynn designs

 



Close up of cage to show it is embossed with Papermania

Gold (shellac) & while wet some gold glitter dropped into it. 



Swirls stamped with music stamp, bird covered with paper from Lemon Owl Cozy Winter.

Birds & cages - Tracy (sister)  & Hayley (beautician)

Woodland cottage in snow - Dad, Kath (aunt)  & Craig (hairdresser)

Two Birthdays

I know it seems like I have been away a long time, but I have

been very busy creating in the background.

Some things are for others that I do not wish to blog,

others are for up & coming birthdays.

I'm also busy working on two mini-books.

 

 

Anyway here is card one,

this was made during my latest Silhouette Cameo Class,

Hello There - Kerri Bradford.

I made both the envelope & the card using basic shapes!

 

This second card is my favourite!

It is a mixed media piece using inks, stains and paints,

with stencils, embossing folders and stamps.

This one is for Karin, a crafty friend, who had a birthday this week.



Products used;

Tim Holtz Retro circles Texture Fades Emboss folder

Crimson & Blake 180gsm watercolour paper

Acrylic paints - Docraft Artiste - sea spray, baby blue, soft grey

Crawford & Black - burnt umber

Gesso

Distress Stains - Salty Ocean

Distress Ink Pads:- Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot

Archival Jet black Ink

Stamps:- Hero Arts French Writing, B-Line Stamps Paris, CI Swirl

Stencils; Prima Butterfly Floral, Stencil Girls Bird in Window

I particularly love how the swirl is the birds breast. ♥ I used burnt umber on the emboss folder

& pressed down onto the watercolour paper. Dried quickly, smeared on some gesso, dried it & then applied

the blue paints. To colour up the image I dampened some folded kitchen towel, pressed it to the tops of

distress stains bottles; seedless preserves & Victorian Velvet & applied in a dabbing motion.

I inked over the prima stencil with chipped sapphire ink using blending tool, but the final image, the window & bird,

I inked over black soot. what a lovely dramatic effect it gives. ♥ ♥

Happy Hallowe'en

Crikey, two posts in two days!!!

But, I had to share this.

It is a forum challenge and obviously aimed at today!

 

First picture is a close up so you can see the headstone.

 

This next picture shows the entire piece.

It was so hard to photograph so I had to use the white shelves.

The main piece slipped as the shutter went & it is not stood as it should.

The main skeleton is hanging freely.



Materials used;

Black cardstock

TH Cabinet card die & Mini Cabinet Card die

Skeletons - Stamped by my friend Karin

Background piece is an Urban Stamp Steampunk image

inks used - Seedless Preserves/ Dusty Concord/ Spiced Marmalade

Fired Brick distress inks

Crow Fence die cut - Loni Stevens

Tombstone & Crow die cut - Loni Stevens

Coffin die cut - Silhouette America

Leafy Branch - Kerri Bradford - part of a class kit

Cobweb - dingbat free from Dafont.com

all cut with my Silhouette Cameo - Camille (pictured in the post below)

Page 1 of 3rd Album

This page is made using a brand new paper collection.



Glitz Design Finnley! ♥

I fell in love on sight and had to have it!

The bold colour works well with my page images.

This page is all about my love for my Silhouette Cameo.

(I have named it, Camille ♥)

The page is made using techniques I learned from Kerri Bradford's classes.

I have learned so much, I am so pleased I found her site ♥

I included photos from her website of two of the classes and they work so well

with the colours in the kit.

Die cut shapes all using cameo plus the honeycomb back.

Paper used;

Both sides of Drip

Both sides of Multi Triangle

Reverse of Stripe

journaling created as a print & cut file

file tab, created as a print & cut

title - Kerri Bradford

I cut it out twice & stuck together for depth.

 

I have had a few days off work as I was feeling tired and wanted to

work on a forum challenge piece for Hallowe'en.

The piece is complete and I hope to share photos soon :0)

Happy Anniversary!

Tracy & Martin. xx

 

Paper is Melissa Frances, used a TH Sun Ray mask over the top  then a cut out

swirl using Antique Linen Distress ink.

Layered my elements up (clock is Echo Park)

Butterfly- Memory Box.

I designed this card & as I like it I used part of the design

on the Golden Wedding Anniversary Card

below that I was commissioned to make.

Golden Wedding Commission

This is the front of the box card.

I created it for one of my work colleagues, Dawn.

Today, 17th October is her parents (my clients)

Golden wedding Anniversary.

 

 

This is the inside.

Vanilla cardstock embossed with

Secret Garden Folder.

 

 

This is the framed window.

I used my silhouette cameo to draw & cut

the perfect oval shape.

I then cut a second oval for the words.



 

This is the card stood up so you can see

the sides more clearly.

The cardstock used for the sides was some

hammered vanilla which was quite strong.



Finally, I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut a box

& as there is no where to write on the card

I made this tag.



Materials list;

Vanilla Cardstock

Papermania Secret Garden Embossing folder

Kraft cardstock

Box - Lori Whitlock cut file from Silhouette Store

Swirl - Tim Holtz

Clock - print & cut file - Echo Park

Ornate Tag - Bird

Flowers - Prima

Frame & tab - Xcut die

Silk roses - Make & Create

Leaves - Marianne Die

Papermania Stones & pearls

Ellison Design - Big Shot

Silhouette Cameo

Words - Computer generated

Final Page of 8x8 Album 2

 

Finally completed album 2!!

Enjoyed this one. I used my new found design skills

to create my own print & cut page accents with my

silhouette studio and cut them out with the cameo.

Materials list;

 Pink Cardstock (to match flowers)

Paper - Studio Calico English

Strip brown cardstock

Mini coloured brads

Leaves - silhouette cut - Kerri Bradford Studio

Bicycle - silhouette cut - Ashley Harris

 

My Own created Silhouette Cuts;

taught by Kerri Bradford Studio

Journal Tag

Photo Tab - Corbridge

Diagonal stripe paper strip

Min sub title banner - Tea Room

Title - Martha's - Lauren Script font

 

This next picture is a cute hand bag mirror I picked up today for 99p

I fell in love the moment I saw it.

There was a square one & a heart shaped one,

but I like the image on this one best.

It has inspired me to make a card!!!

 



 

This is inside. I have no use for

the bottom magnified mirror.

I have Astigmatism in both eyes & find looking in

magnified mirrors very uncomfortable so

I plan to do something else!!! ;0)

 

Hybrid Layout - 8 1/2 x 11 & A Card

 

This is my first attempt at designing a layout using my silhouette

studio software, following along with a class

by the Fabulous Kerri Bradford!!!

It was designed totally on computer & then once happy

with placement the print & cut items were done

& then I printed the title directly onto the page with

the date & the splatters. Finally I printed out my photos

& then cut the word "and" out of blue cardstock to match.

 

Below is a card I made for my friend, Marion.

It is a decoupage design using Lucy Cromwell.

The label which says happy birthday was printed off & cut with the silhouette.

The label was designed by Bird. I just added

the box & wording to the centre.

 

I have my 12th 8x8 page of album two ready to share,

most of it designed & done on my silhouette cameo

using silhouette studio software, but too dark for a decent photo!!!

Designing with my Silhouette Cameo

 

As my title says, I have been crafting, just

not a lot for you to see.

I have been designing with the cameo.

I have taken a few online classes to learn some tricks & tips.

Then I decided to put some of them into action.

The first piece is a very simple digital card.

I printed off the background and then, using

some digital images I purchased online, I produced

my own print & cut files.

 

 

The paper is a free one supplied by Astrid Maclean which I then

resized to 4.5ins square and printed my two ladies onto it.

I then printed off my two ladies & cut them out

with the silhouette & attached one directly to the paper

& the other raised on foam pads.

 

This next piece I designed myself completely.

Unfortunately when you design in Studio

 it saves only as a studio file.

It has to be printed & scanned into a computer

to be changed to a jpeg.

So I apologise for the graininess of the picture.

 

I basically drew a rectangle, added the colour, flowers

& text then grouped it all together as one.

My very own print & cut design, with

of course, the truth for all to see

I truly am only at my Creative best when

wearing pyjamas!

Ladies are part of a collection called Clothier - Viva Artistry available from

scrapbookgraphics.com

Triple Library Pocket w/tri fold flap

Thanks to a cancelled train this morning,

I got a very last minute, half day holiday!

Here is what I did with the time!!

 I saw it on You Tube

fell in love & decided I wanted to have a go!!!

 

the inside pages



the outside



 

A rather poor top shot!

Papers DCWV - Mariposa.

Two sheets 12x12 Kraft cardstock.

I have not fully decorated the book as I haven't decided

whether to use photos of butterflies or

some quotes & stamped images.

 

Not sure if this link will work;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYjjKzDZjv0

 

Mini Blueprint Stamps Book

As you will know from my post below,

I was off work over a week quite poorly.

Obviously the only way for me to recover right was a present!

I got a Get Well Soon from Me to Me present (or two!)

 

I bought two sets of the brand new Stampers Anonymous

Tim Holtz Mini Blueprint stamps Sets 3 & 4 :0)

 

This is the mini book I made using them & a few other stamps.

Materials list at the end if you are interested.

 

Book constructed from one large tag which was cut on Silhouette Cameo

to the same dimensions of

Tim Holtz Size #12 Tag.

Distress inks used;

Seedless Preserves/Broken China/ Antique Linen

I saw these colours used by Hels Sheridan, but she used Distress Paint.

I figured the colours are the same it should work.

I quite like the result a bit like raspberry ripple ice cream

but with a spot of blueberry juice!

Bleach

All images were coloured with ordinary pencil crayons

then painted over with PVA glue to protect against colouration.

I then used the wrinkle free technique. The quotes were stamped straight

onto inked backgrounds

Book based loosely on one in CS March 2013 by Kaz Hall.

I Love This Place

I made this layout last Sunday, just before I fell ill.

I have looked at it for a week & have decided not to add anything else to it.

 

Materials Used;

Pale Blue Bazzill Cardstock

Royal & Langnickel Rub on Film Strip

Strip of paper - ColourConspiracy - Texturise {1}

Mini arrows - reverse of Texturise {1}

Two slivers of both sides top & bottom

Main title computer generated direct onto card

I Love This Place - Computer generated & cut out.

Date Tag - Papermania X-Cut Ticket Die

Photo - St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitely Bay, Northumberland

Taken July 2012 when I went up to plan our France holiday.

Things don't go to plan!!

You know how it is (if you are in full time employment like me)

& you are also an avid crafter, there are days when you long to be at home.

The mojo is jumping and more ideas are in your head than hours in a day.

Well, I have been home, since Tuesday but not quite how I wished!

I started off with a viral cold & by Wednesday had Gastroenteritis!

I have decided I hate my bathroom, having spent such a vast

amount of time in it. lol

Of course I am highly contagious so despite it being Bank Holiday Weekend

here in United Kingdom, I am not allowed out.

 

How I have longed to be at my desk this week!!!!!

 

I had finished the layout (in the post below) and begun another plus a mini book of my week

away in Northumberland. They are still sat on the craft table untouched. But, I

hope to be able to do something other than stare at the computer by tomorrow.

 

As you will see from the post below I made a CD card for my sister Tracy, so that I could post

all the photos I had taken during my week.

I also made this card below for Dad. I could not blog it until I knew he

had received it & then by that time I was really ill.

 

It is a very simple card which I think might translate well

into part of a scrap layout.

 

Materials Used;

Papermania Urban Stamp - All Aboard - Map

Papermania All Aboard Craft Tape

Photo - taken by myself & cut into circle

I stuck the craft tape on paper & ran through computer to add text.

Page 10 & A Card

 

Here is the 10th layout of the 2nd 8x8 album.

I am pleased how this one came out although it is not how it started off!

I have kept several of the elements but ditched two as they did not work.

Most of the elements you see are die cut from vellum as I love the transparency of it.

 

Materials list;

Photo - My hand beaded bird cage ornament

Background - Dream Street Papers - Rue - Affection

Other paper - BG dot from Basics White

         Chevron - Papermania Happy days

Dies: TH Bird Cage & Bird

X-Cut - Mini Star

Other Items:

Big Shot

Vellum

Glassine Envelope

Silver Sequins

Waste Stars from die cut piece

(coloured with Scattered Straw Distress ink

so they can be seen in envelope)

Floral Washi Tape - free gift

Tulle - Ribbon Girl

Dovecraft Tea Party Mini Paper Doily

Canvas

Handstitching

Stamp - French Writing - Hero Arts

I used this on white card for the title

I computer generate the words on paper

stuck a scrap of canvas to it & re printed.

 

I do love to see stitching on layouts and I really find it therapeutic to sit

& hand stitch on my own when time is available.

I went to town here & stitched 3 pieces!!!

 

 

This next item is a card made to send a photo CD to my sister, Tracy.

It again incorporates Vellum.

I made this with a free embossing folder & a free stamp!!

Peacock Embossing Folder - Magazine Gift

Elizabeth Bennett - Cover Stamp Craft Stamper

Paper - Lucy Cromwell Design Stax

The peacock folder was chosen as the photos on the CD include a pic of a white peacock

from our recent visit to Kirkley Hall.

Elizabeth Bennett arrived at the perfect time,

as my sister is a huge fan

of costume drama, in particular the classics.

Page 9 - Album 2 - Dad

I just couldn't resist scrapping this photo I took of Dad when we went up to visit Tracy.

I went with him and after he left on the Monday afternoon, I stayed on for a week.

He had just put up some shelves in her bathroom & was having a quiet cuppa in the garden.

As he is featured doing his "planning" in the garden I chose to use

this gorgeous range of Lucy Cromwell paper Home to Nest.

Dad loves his garden and also our feathered friends so it was perfect.

The colours are so muted and the images not too tacky.

The background is Papermania Happy Days

Papers & journal card all Home to Nest

Alphas - AC Rockabye - leaf

Vellum word - Chatterbox

The photo was given a Museum Mount frame in Picasa.

 

I am busy creating two mini books. One is of my Teddy, Spencer in France!

The other is of my recent trip to stay with my sister.

I also have two cards almost ready to share!!

Crikey haven't I been busy (for a change)

Page 8 of Album 2, 70's Princess!

This has come out a tad brighter than planned but I am busy playing around with my new camera.

This page was quite quick to make as I knew the exact photo I wanted to use.

It is of me taken some time early 1970's and my Aunt Cherry, mum's sister

 had come round to put my hair in a bun.

Must have been going to a party or something, but I still remember the day

because I felt so pretty.

 

Materials Used:

Scenic Route Paper- Brook-hurst Street, Garden Grove & Joy Street

(scraps left from SC Jul 2009 Documentary Kit)

TH Tag & Bookplate Die - Tag inked & then embossed Papermania Clocks.

Distress Inks; Squeezed Lemonade/ Festive Berries/Ripe Persimmon/ Spiced Marmalade.

Tickets Die - Papermania

Alpha dies - TH Chipblock

Flowers, buttons & brad - from my stash

 

I spent 10 days in Newcastle upon Tyne with my sister, been back home a week.

Washing machine blew up days before I went new one coming soon.

Camera been playing up a while so got a new one while up there.

Visited Holy Island & could not have my camera die!!!

I shall keep the old one for around the home but my new one

will take its place for photos once settings mastered!

 

Photo is quite poor as it was taken at least 41/42 years ago.

Thought how that can be I don't know with me just 21 ;0)

I took a photo of it as scans usually come out too dark.

 

Page 7 of Album 2 - Sweet

Photo is one of my favourite old ones (2006).

Max, as a kitten seeking refuge between the cushions,

while we moving my sister & hubby into their new home.

He took it all in his stride & purred contentedly.

I think it is because they smelt familiar.

 

Materials;

Background - BG Origins Sugar Pea

AC - Everyday - Long Time, No See

Chicken Wire Embossing Folder

X-cut Large Bracket Die

Spellbinders Lacey Circle Die

Spellbinders Small Circle Die

Heart Punch

Anita's Dimensional Glaze

Lined Journal Paper - free (my landlord)

Title - Sweet - Die cut using Silhouette Cameo -

designed by Lori Whitlock for Silhouette

It was a speech bubble but the oval dominated the page too much.

Happy Birthday, Tracy!

Today is my sister's birthday and I made her this card.

I saw a similar design on Pinterest & loved the idea.

I coloured my piece with wrinkle free distress & used watercolour paper.

I die cut two strips for both sides & embossed purple Bazzill for the background.

Inks used - Dusty Concord, Seedless Preserves, Shaded Lilac

Stamp - Big Gel Wild Things

Embossing folder - Secret Garden (my favourite)

Border Die - X-Cut Lace Trim.

 

Have a fabulous day & enjoy a nice weekend!

Layout 6 Cherry Blossom

It does feel a bit like cheating showing this layout.

It was made last year & could not be shared because I entered it into a sketch challenge.
I then forgot all about it until today, when I was putting away the layout I completed last week.

This page features one of my most favourite photos.
Wild Cherry Blossom - photo taken by myself in our local park.

Materials;
Pale Blue Bazzill Cardstock
Yuzen Bamboo Specialty Paper ( Past SC Kit)
Stamped Panel - Papermania Botanical Print Stamp
Title piece - Screenprinted Canvas - Prima
Distress inks; Salty Ocean & Picked Raspberry
Butterflies (layered up)  - Papermania Botanical Print
Top Border inked & stamped using Fiskars bracket punch.
Birds - Crafty Individuals
Title  "Cherry"- TH Chipblock Die inked with Spun Sugar DI
"Blossom" - Pink Vellum fed through dymo label machine.
Place label - Jenni Bowlin
Shrink Plastic token
Text - Computer generated & cut into strips.

I didn't get selected by the magazine for the sketch,
so thought it would be fine to share now.

 

Vintage Florals

Album 2 page 5. My new bed linen that my sister bought me for Christmas.

I saw a sketch in one of the French magazines I read Esprit Scrapbooking,

it was designed by Kaori Watanabe & my favourite take on the sketch was by Fati Aissat

http://fatimouss.canalblog.com

However, sadly I can not show you the layout she did, but I lifted much of her gorgeous,

simple design.

Materials List:

White Bazzill Cardstock

Papers - Lucy Cromwell Papermania

Vellum

Darice 12in butterfly embossing folder

Glassine envelope for hidden journaling

Title- computer generated

Vintage - Tahoma size 8

Florals Love Letter size 20

Happiness tag - Lucy Cromwell

Purple ribbon & staples from stash

silver gems - papermania

Happy Father's Day

 

I made this card for my Dad as he is a wild life lover.

I used the chicken wire embossing folder

on green card & lightly inked brown over the top.

 

 

I also completed this page today which I began in October 2012!!

It is the 4th page of my second 8x8 album.

 I have also completed page 5 which I will share with you another day.

Materials used;

Papers are all Papermania Sunshine Capsule Collection

Orange Spotted card is actually thick paper by Pink Paislee Sweet cakes Collection Cutie Pie

White Felt from craft stash

Picket Fence - Die

Corner scroll with pumpkin - Silhouette Cameo

Tab punch - McGill

Pumpkin title - Tim Holtz Chipblock

Photo - Pumpkins in a French field St Mathieu - taken September 2012