Quirky Village Scene

I was intrigued by some new Papermania stamps designed by Michael Powell which really made me think of Portmerion and the TV series from years ago called The Prisoner which was filmed there (hated to miss an episode of that one!!).  The scenes are unusual in that they are only partially coloured with some details being left as line drawings although of course there is nothing to say they couldn't be completely coloured.  However I decided to go along with the illustration on the packaging and used Polychromos pencils in many colours blended to create a similar effect to his watercolouring.  I found some toning background paper amongst my stash and used a Sizzix brick wall embossing folder on a piece of Core-dinations card to make this into a simple card.

Spring Flowers

Spring is just around the corner - it's official because at least two challenge blogs have chosen it as their theme for the month.  Make My Monday have a general theme of  Spring for the whole month with a specific theme of  Spring Flowers  for week 39.  Spring into Spring  is the theme of the month for the St Luke's Charity challenge.

I just knew that somewhere amongs my huge stamp collection I had a wooden stamp with daffodils and I eventually managed to unearth it to stamp onto watercolour paper and colour using Polychromos pencils.  Nestabilities were used to cut out the oval shapes and Spellbinders dies for the border; background paper is from a pad I've had for a long while and as usual the cover is missing - some stamping was added around the edge.  A stamped greeting was added along with a ribbon and scrap of floral paper from my bits box and that's it - two challenges covered with one card.

More Beadwork

Someone in our local craft group expressed an interest in making an amulet purse with my help so I thought I should maybe make one to test the design to see if it was 'beginner friendly'.  These can be made using a variety of beadwork stitches and fortunately I have a book giving lots of ideas. This one is made using brick stitch which obviously she will need to learn first but on the whole I think it would be reasonably straightforward to make once the stitch has been mastered.  I've used a mix of matte and shiny beads which give the design some variation and I left the bottom edge open so that it could maybe used as a scarf holder - a tip which was passed on to me by another friend - thanks for the idea.

A Cupcake

I thought it was about time I used the cupcake stamp set and punch which tempted me last month at a  Stampin Up Extravaganza Day - not been taken from the packaging until now!!  I've popped the cake onto a doily which was cut using a Marianne die. Background paper is from my stash and the sentiment is part of the stamp set.  This might just about qualify for Judith's Forgotten Friday challenge even though it's not been neglected for that long.

Simply Stampin Challenge 48

There is a fairly straightforward challenge at Simply Stampin this week - they just want to see some lace and I've gone for some die-cut lace on this card.  Background papers are from SU everyday enchantment set and the stamp is from their Nature Walk set.  Nestabilities dies were used for the layers with some embossing and the flowers and swirls are made from Marianne dies which I've not taken out of the box for a very long time so this card also qualifies for Judith's Forgotten Friday challenge and I've just about made it in time this week..  It goes to show that it pays to have a sort out and tidy up now and again even if it is just to remind myself just what lovely goodies are lurking unused in various storage boxes!!

Make My Monday Challenge 38

It seems an absolute age since I actually made a card I've almost forgotten how and last week disappeared so quickly - I don't think I even managed any challenges - apologies are due I'm sure.  I can hardly believe it is Wednesday already this week but at least I've managed to make something for the Make My Monday ROMANCE challenge which this week is to use diamonds and flourishes. The background paper is Vintage Shabby by Tim Holtz and I chose a piece with swirls - the heart from Chocolate Baroque was stamped and embossed onto another piece of the same paper with diamonds. Gilding flakes were used with flitter glue onto some black card using a stamp from Indigo Blu and I added some die cut 'lace' (Tim Holtz die), A swirl (Sizzix die) cut from a piece of sprayed card from my 'bit box' and a computer sentiment cut out using Stampin Up punches.  All being well I'm aiming to spend some time in the craft room today because I'm not sure I will have much time tomorrow or Friday. Now it is almost March there will be a new challenge theme to look forward to next Monday so watch out for that.

Bracelet - As Promised

As promised in my last post here is the photograph of the bracelet now it has a clasp.  It is made using Delica cylinder beads and reminds me of the Celtic knot type of designs.  The instructions took a bit of fathoming out and I didn't count the hours spent on completing it - lots I know!!  I really like it now it is finished but won't be making another one any time soon although they say 'practice makes perfect'. so maybe I should!!