WOYWW 260 - Happy 5th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary everyone!

This one has to be quick from me this morning but I will be back later to visit when my visitors have gone!

First of all I wanted to show you what I made when I took part in the 3rd WOYWW Anniversary!  I am not sure why I didn't take part in the 4th but here I am for the 5th - How time flies when you are having fun!

As you can see I still have plenty of room for my new ATC swaps.  If I am not mistaken that is Shoshi's delicate Zentangling you can see!

Now my confession  yesterday was supposed to be ATC making day for me but my play was interrupted by visitors so this was yesterday morning.

….And this was late last night and this morning.  I hope to get these finished off tonight and in the post tomorrow!  I am really enjoying working in miniature and if anyone else wants to swap with me I have two left with no homes to go to.  (All gone!  Just nipping in and noticed I have two new swaps!  Off to make strawberry coulis!)

That is it from me as I have a Nutella Mouse to whip up as well as shortbread biscuits and my main which is Chicken Honey and Mustard with Garlic Mash and Savoy Cabbage with bacon to prep.  Ivan is on the starters which is Pacific Pork Kebabs!  Mmmmmm I haven't had my breakfast yet.  Our visiting family have set off about now so I had better get a wiggle on if I want to look calm and oh so prepared when they arrive!  Better not show them my ATCs as it will spoil the illusion tee hee!

Have a wonderful WOYWW everyone and a big congratulations to Julia for bring us all together.  I will be back to visit with everyone later this evening……and to finish my ATCs!  Oh almost for got the link……if you don't know what WOYWW is then follow this link and find out why a fun idea for a desk hop is still going strong and celebrating it's 5th year today!

Thank you for popping by X

12 Tags of 2014 - May Tag Complete…..and new storage!!!!

I have been having a whole lot of fun with my May tag.  I loved the look of Tim's embellishment quilt.  I was very eager to give it a try but here I am just about making it before the end of the month!  So without further ado here is my tag.

It was fun to rummage through all my embellishments to find the perfect addition to this tag.  Mo can you spot your contributions!!!!  They were perfect and I just had to use them x.

As usual I have made a video recording my journey from Tim's inspiration to my interpretation.  If you watch the video you will see I tackled things slightly differently to Tim's tutorial but I think there is no doubting the original inspiration.  You can see I got my micro sewing machine out again.  It is 'sew' cute ;-)

Here is a look at another angle:

You can just make out the dandelion wishes captured in my mini glass vial (courtesy of a Pinterest idea).

Here is the video tutorial:

If you want to play along with this wonderful challenge where you receive inspiration from Tim Holtz every month then please follow this link.  You will see all the wonderful work his challenge inspires.  It is great fun and the perfect excuse to get out all your stash!

I also managed to get my tag storage for this years tag finished.  I decided to use a technique I learnt playing along with this challenge.  It was featured on Septembers 12 Tags of 2012 and here is the link incase you love it and want to try the technique for yourself.

I love my new storage because it is mobile!  I know you can now picture me wheeling this around my desk!!!! tee hee.  It is filling up nicely and May's tag joins the other tags on the rail.

If you want to make this project because you are a tag maker like me then please follow this link to my ETSY shop.  There you will be able to purchase the online workshop with full video and written/photographic instructions.  I will step you through the construction of this project so you to can display all your lovely tag works of art.  Alternatively you can purchase it from my side bar by clicking the Paypal button.

All purchases gratefully received ;-)  I am busy working on two other workshops one is a versatile mini album.  If you love Graphic 45 or Halloween you will love this workshop.  The second is one I have been working on for ages and have no idea why it is not already in my shop!  I think I keep interrupting myself with all my free videos!  I will never make a cut throat business woman.

If you want more ideas for the workshop above there are lots on this blog or over on my You Tube Channel and I will share more Tag Storage fun on my next post.  For now I am off to have a very late breakfast and to make sure my son is up and about!

I wish you all a creative week and thank you for popping by x

Ribbon Stitching Card Tutorial

Hi Everyone.  Just thought I would post this as I am busy editing my 12 Tags of 2014 May video.  The weather is typical for the Bank Holiday weekend here in the East Midlands!  Where did the sunshine go?  Yesterday was rainy and today is grey!  Oh well never mind extra time to craft ;-)

This card is one I taught to my class this month and I thought it was versatile enough that if you like the design you can adapt it to the colours of card and ribbon you have in your stash.

I give you lots of tips about colour schemes that you could think about if you want to make this card over on the video tutorial.  The other fun element of this card is the ribbon stitching.  I show you how to achieve this using a We Are Memory Keepers ribbon tool.  You could also use a ribbon punch if you have one of those and I also show you how to create the same effect with a craft knife, pencil and ruler!  So it is a fun tutorial if you like the card or if you just want to create a stitched ribbon strip or border for any of your craft projects!

Cutting Guide:

Black Card Base - 11 1/2" x 8" scored at 5 3/4"
Pink Card - 7 3/4" x 5 5/8"
White Card - 7 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Black Card Strip - 2 1/4" x 5 1/2"
White Card Strip - 2" x 5 1/2"
Black Greeting card - 2 1/4" square
White Greeting card - 2 " square

Here is the video tutorial which I really hope you find useful.  I would like to say a great big thank you to everyone that subscribed on my You Tube Channel and I did hit that magic 1000 by my birthday!!!  I really appreciate your support and it spurs me on to make and share more videos.

I am thinking of posting a couple of blog entries about the process of creating videos incase you are thinking of giving it a go……what do you think?  I was also thinking of creating an online workshop for complete beginners.  It would be a workshop I charge for but as you know I keep my prices very reasonable.  I wanted to do something that explains the very basics to get someone started on our wonderful pastime.  I would be interested to hear what you think a course like this should contain.  All feedback gratefully received.

Oooo the sun is peeking through the clouds!  One final thing here is Comet in our garden thinking…….Is that really all for me?????

…….Can I have it?  Can I?????

Yippee!  It is all mine.  Yipee!

Yum Yum Yum………mmmmmm (One happy doggy!)

We bought a French loaf and didn't get a chance to use it before it went hard!  Comet loves this hard bread as you can see.  We didn't let him eat the whole thing in one sitting (cruel I know)  He looks like he is giving it a bit of a nuzzle and cuddle here in this photo!

I hope you enjoy the photos and the tutorial and that you had a fun weekend.  Thank you for popping by x

WOYWW 259

I am a bit late posting as I have been out and about this sunny morning but I have a free afternoon so I can enjoy a spot of desk hopping and catching up with my WOYWW pals.  I also have a May tag to finish off for 12 Tags of 2014 so a very pleasant afternoon for me!

Here is that work in progress on my filming desk.  I took my photos in natural light as the sun is shining here so there is a definite contrast between light and shade in my desk shots today.

ooooooo look at that messy craft mat!  The sun is really drawing attention to the smudges and paper bits!  As you can see I have made all my little paper quilt pieces and I am ready to go embellishment hunting to finish off my tag.  I have always liked this look so it is fun to try it out this month.

As always when I work on my 12 Tags of 2014 there is the chance to rummage through my Tim supplies as you can see from this shot.  I never use all I get out but it is just nice to remind yourself what you have!!! tee hee - Mind you I notice an absence of the little heart charms that Tim used on his tag so I also add to my wish list along the way.  It is all part of the fun.  I wonder if anyone else is working on this challenge today.

You can also see the corner of my 2014 tag storage that I completed yesterday.  It is filling up nicely and the year is just flying by.

As we are having sunshine here in the UK I am dividing my time between the craft room and the garden.  I was sitting admiring my lovely clean water feature (boy did it smell!) gurgling away when a blackbird popped by to collect some grass for her nest.  The dog got a quick brush incase she wanted to add a fleecy liner to her new home!

Can you spot what happened when I clicked the camera button?  That smudge is one startled blackbird!  Can you see at the top of the photo a pile of earth and to the top right a hole behind a brick wall?  That will soon be our second water feature!  Hubby has been hard at work digging out a pond.  It is amazing how much earth seems to pile up in comparison to the hole!

That's it from me so I am now off to link up over at Stamping Ground so I can check out how everyone else is spending their day!  If you love crafting and having a little nosey around then follow this link to a wonderful bunch of crafters sharing their work desks and their creativity today.

Happy WOYWW to you all and thank you for popping by x

P.S.  If anyone other than my Swap partner wants to swap ATCs with me please leave me a comment I have 7 left…..or will have when they are made!!!!  I love swaps ;-)

Sunny Art Journal Page to go with the weather!

Yippeee it is sunny here again today…..mind you when I have posted this I am off to pressure wash the patio and put out the tables and chairs which usually brings on the rain!!!!!  Mind you we met a chap down by the river today and he swears that it is when he puts on his shorts that the rain starts to fall ;-)

My Mixed Media Art Journal page was created so I could join in the Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp.  This week it is the letter M…….reminding me of Sesame Street ;-)

So my M is for Mixed Media and of course for 'Creating it MY Way!'  That is what I love most about Art Journalling…no rules……no regulations ……just time to enjoy creating.

This page makes me smile and I hope it makes you smile too.  I wanted to try using stamps on my page for more than just background texture.  I used lots of Distress Paint and Inks and check out that lovely boarder created in seconds with a Tim Holtz washi tape!  My stamps came from the Busy Bee 3 and the Botanical stamp sets from Creative Expression.  That bee is soooo cute!  I think he may be American as he has fab teeth ;-)

If you are not too 'Buzzy' and you want to see how I made this page with lots of hints and tips then just click on the video below.  Find out how my Inspiration words started out looking very differently!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone.  I am going to link this up to the Simon Says Stamp Weekly Challenge and to have a peek at all the other creativity inspired by the letter 'M'!  Then I am off to get changed ready to end up looking like a mud monster after doing battle with the pressure washer!

Thank you for popping by X

Stamping on to old book pages - Simply Gorjuss!

Good morning from a sunny Derbyshire!  The weather person has promised that the weather will warm up this week and we may have a nice weekend!  I am not convinced as even on the sunny days we have had the wind has been decidedly chilly.  I always remember the old saying 'Cast not a clout, 'till May is out'.  So I am keeping my vest and cozy socks firmly in place for now at least ;-)

This week I am going to finish off a bunch of video tutorials that I have had in the pipeline waiting to be edited and to that end here are the first two!

This tutorial is all about stamping images on to old book pages.  I hope you agree it is a fun look and it does go well with the Gorjuss stamp set I have used.

This stamp set is from Santoro and the Urban Rubber Stamps range at Docrafts.  It is called new heights.  I love these Gorjuss figures as they can be cute or a little darker if cute is not your style.  I think I am in between with this card….what do you think?

So without further ado here is the tutorial if you want to see how I made the card:

…….and as usual here are the measurements listed for your convenience!

Cutting Guide:

Card Base (Teal)  - 11 1/2" x 8" scored and folded at 5 3/4"
Book Page for front and inside of card (Cut 2) - 4 3/4" x 7"
Cream Card for inner - 3 3/4" x 6"
Patterned Frame (My print is from the Graphic 45 French Country Collection) -
Cut 2 1/2" x 5" strips and cut 2 1/2" x 7 1/2" strips and trim to fit.
You will also need scraps of the patterned paper, cream paper and teal card plus a small strip of coordinating ribbon.

I love the look of stamping and colouring images on old book pages.  You do need to be selective in your choice of books - don't destroy precious old books when you can easily find damaged ones that will have plenty of useful pages still in them.

……and for my second short but sweet video.  You may remember I told you I had a huge technical hitch with a video I made of a mixed media canvas I shared a couple of posts ago.  I wanted to share the canvas on my You Tube channel too so I made a short video tour of what I did to make my Spring is in the Air mixed media canvas.  It took me forever to make and I was rather upset to loose all the footage but what can you do????!  I am over it now ;-)

So I am off to upload two more videos I finalised yesterday so watch out for more card tutorials coming your way soon.

Hope you are having a fab week filled with inspiration.  Thank you for popping by x

Oh almost forgot……I am almost at 1000 subscribers on my You Tube Channel and I would really love to get to that magic number on my birthday which is on the 23rd of May so if you don't already subscribe I would love to have you join me - Thank you x

Announcing The Celebration Cake Mini Album Online Workshop……At Last!

Hi Everyone

I am so excited!!!  At last my new online workshops is finished and up for sale.  This one has taken me a while to complete as I wanted to make sure my instructions were as clear to follow as possible and I wanted to include as many ideas and versions as I could.  If you have purchased my workshops before you will know quality and versatility are very important to me.  So here it is the perfect project for you to make to mark any special occasion in your life or in those of your friends and family.

I made a little advert which is now on You Tube so please take a look to see first hand what I am offering:

Now for the versatility - check out these ideas and I am sure there are many, many more!  This is my Birthday version.

It was given to mark a 40th Birthday and the Mini was filled with photos of the 40 years of the birthday girl's life.  The little tags were signed by all the party guests with lots of loving messages and good wishes.

I think you will agree it makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift.  I made the Christmas version during the filming of the workshop and although this one is going to contain photos of our Family Christmas this year I had a thought that you could also decorate it with Snowflakes and put photos of a Skiing holiday in the Mini!

Then I made a New Baby Version which houses a mini all decorated and ready to add photos and journalling of baby's first year.

The file for the Journalling and Photo prompts comes free with this Workshop.

Last but definitely not least is this Wedding version.

This wedding cake has 3 albums.  I suggest the bottom tier is for photos and journalling of the wedding.  The middle one for photos of the honeymoon and the top tier could be one for your wedding guests to sign for the bride and groom.  Although I do not make this in the videos I do give you all the tips and measurements you need to be able to make this 3 tier version.

This is an exciting online workshop with a ton of potential for you to personalise this for your special occasions and for the special people in your life.

Once you purchase this item you have unlimited access to the workshop videos.  You can join me in my virtual classroom any time day or night and from anywhere in the world!

So to purchase your copy you can do so by pressing the button on my sidebar or by clicking on this link to visit my ETSY shop.  All this is yours for only £8.00.

As with all my workshops my Angel and Copyright Policy applies and it is outlined on the last page of the Photo Instructions or click on this link to read them now.

National Scrapbook Day!

Did you know?  I got to know via Facebook and have had a lovely evening scrapbooking along with Big Picture Classes.  They are trying to get 10000 layout pictures on Instagram and are getting everyone to post photos of their layouts as they finish them.

I have done three tonight which is pretty good for me as I usually would only manage one!  I thought I would share this one before I hop into bed.

First I gutted a 12" x 12" page leaving a 1" border.

Next I trimmed the sun sheet to 11 3/4" and adhered it to the grey frame.

Next I cut a 2" strip of the striped paper and edged it with strips of grey and then attached a strip of washi tape that I thought coordinated with my papers.

I attached the strip down the right hand edge of the layout - straighter than in the photo!! ;-)

Next I popped out a couple of tickets and a journalling tag from the die cut sheet.  I found a fabric brad to match my colour scheme.  I mounted my two 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" photos on orange then grey card stock.  I cut a 1 " strip of the hexagon paper and edged it with an orange die cut boarder strip.

I made the strip into a rosette using the fabric brad as a centre.  I attached a tab to the Journaling tag and joined the two tickets together with a gem brad.  I added journalling and cut out my title using Zooballoo lettering at 1" for the word Breakfast and 1 1/4" for the word BBQ.

And here is my finished layout with everything attached.  I created a pocket for my journalling tickets and tag by leaving the top of the photo mat open.  I did add a line of glue so the tags don't slide down too far behind the photos. A touch of bling around the sun and a couple of photo tabs and that was layout 3 complete.

The papers I used were My Mind's Eye Oh La La which I have had for ages!  You could use this layout as a sketch and substitute your coordinating papers and photos.  Hope you are having a fab National Scrapbooking Day.  I am off to bed….Thank you for Popping By x

Dandelion Wishes

Hi there, hope you are enjoying a weekend of crafting and happy times.  I am posting my challenge piece for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge where Anna-Karin challenged us to be inspired by Yellow! I am a fan of warm golden yellows and it was fun coming up with a project inspired by this theme.  I was looking through my stash and came across some Wendy Vecchi Wildflower Art Parts and I knew I wanted to celebrate the humble and much maligned Dandelion!

I have made a video of my creative process and I hope it will inspire you to create a home decor piece of your own.  Check out all your chipboard, die cuts and art parts and see what you can come up with.  It is a fun way to spend an afternoon ;-)

Here is my finished piece.  I think this is a happy piece and I think the use of the sunny yellow is what makes it so.  As a child I remember we teased anyone that touch a dandelion that they would surely wet the bed!  I have no idea why - I think I may look it up…….And I am glad I did!  Apparently there is some truth in our childhood games.  There is something in the leaf of a Dandelion that stimulates the bladder.  For more information and a really fun read follow this link to find out more about this interesting weed!

My hubby spends time in the garden digging out Dandelions so they don't invade the lawn!  I am pleased to say he doesn't eat them ;-)

I personally like the Dandelion for the Dandelion and Burdock drink that we have here in the UK and for Dandelion clocks!  I think crafters love them as there are plenty of stamps out there celebrating delicacy and the beauty of the fluffy seed heads.

I have encapsulated some to the seed parachutes in a little glass bottle to finish off my project.  It was an idea I had seen on Pinterest originally and I am so pleased that I have managed to use it on this project.

I did get to thinking…….what if one of these wishes is the one that grants me a Lottery Win?!……..hmmmm……..better keep them somewhere safe!

So that is my challenge piece and one pretty home decor piece that has a fun story.  I hope you like it and that you watch the video to see how I created it.

Don't forget to pop along to Simon Says Stamp to check out all the other lovely projects inspired by the colour Yellow.

Have a fabulous weekend and thank you for popping by.

PS Don't forget to subscribe if you like my art and want to see more X