Ladybirds

This card is another of my demo samples and I would think it also qualifies for the Pixie Snippets challenge.  Normal embossing powder was used on this one with the ladybird stamp being used twice with black ink and clear embossed  on snippets of white card.  Two circles were punched from one of the images, coloured using alcohol marker and then placed over the original image using foam pads to raise them up a bit.  Two die cut ladybirds were added on a border (more oddments from my bits box) together with a doily and a computer greeting.

Stamp - Docrafts
Greeting - computer printed with Cuttlebug die cuts
Border - Cuttlebug die

I'm Still Here

I have been a bit remiss in not blogging as regularly as I'd like but have actually scanned some of the samples which I made for the recent demonstration days so should have a few things to show you.  I was demonstrating just some of the uses for embossing powders both ultra thick and the normal kind.  I wasn't able to get into using the Melt Pot though because they don't actually stock that item so restricted my demonstrations to just using the heat gun.  I was also asked to show some ways of using Distress inks  so you can imagine that my hands got somewhat 'coloured' throughout the day - thank goodness for baby wipes and kitchen roll - no way I could escape to join a queue for the 'facilities' to wash hands!!  I had made some card samples and also decorated the covers of a few purchased sketch books.  This one which is roughly A5 size had quite a large 'tile' cut out from offcuts of mountboard, sponged with Distress inks, overstamped with a bird cage stamp and some swirls around the edges.  Three layers of ultra thick powder were melted onto this to give a lovely enamelled effect. The background was a piece of card sponged with Distress inks in the same colours; Some more of the inks sponged through stencils;  overstamped with swirls and a bird; then some texture medium applied through a mask in areas to give it texture.  The wording was produced on the computer to fit into a die cut bookplate which I'd also coloured and heat embossed with three layers.

Stamps used - from Chocolate Baroque
Stencils /Masks - Tim Holtz and Special Touch
Distress inks pads - Peacock Feathers, Mustard Seed and Seedless Preserve
Bookplate - from Tim Holtz die (large tag with two bookplates)

Busy - Busy

I have been keeping busy but at the moment not on things I can really show on my blog until after next weekend when I am demonstrating at Yandles Show - details on their website HERE.  This company holds a woodworking show twice a year and of course there are also plenty of craft demonstrators there - entry and parking free, with opportunities for lots to see and refreshments available as well - what better way to spend an April day??  My friend Jill will be there with some of her beautiful quilling as well as people demonstrating several other crafts such as quilting, jewellery, felt making and so on - I am demonstrating some of the techniques which can be done with Distress inks and/or embossing powders (including the ultra-thick powders). I look forward to seeing some of you there on either Friday 10th or Saturday 11th April.

In the meantime I hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend and I have a card to share which I made a while ago but haven't shown you - something suitable to send to a man.

Image - Stamp from Creative Expressions
Embossed panel - dimensional dots embossing folder (dark card with Gilding Wax)

Elephants

I decided to try a different bag design for my DIL using the elephant fabric which I know she will just love.  This one was a little more complicated to construct with pockets outside on both sides and a zipped pocket in the lining.  The handles are attached differently too using D-rings which I found a bit fiddly to do but I think the end result was worth the hassle.  I've had my head down most of the day and not noticed how nice it is outside should really have gone for a walk maybe while the sun is shining.

Still Stitching!!

I seem to have been bitten by the sewing bug at the moment and today I've made another bag and as it has been made from snippets of fabric I hope it is OK to pop it into the Pixie Snippets Challenge.  I designed and made the appliqué panel and then trawled around my fabric collection for something to go with it until I came across this pretty fabric which I think was once a curtain.  Yesterday while I was shopping I spotted a pink cotton sheet for £1 (ex M & S so good quality) so of course that had to come home with me.  The appliqué flower has used up some snippets of colourful fabrics; the main bag snippets of the curtain and of course I snipped a piece from the cotton sheet for the lining which also has a pocket inside made from the main bag fabric.  I really must get back to my craft room and my collection of card, dies and stamps or they will be feeling very neglected although there is just one more bag which I have actually planned to make for my DIL using some elephant print fabric once I've decided on a style for the bag.

Missing Again!!

I'm afraid I've been missing from my blog for a while and was reminded of this by a friend who has been on holiday for a couple of weeks.  She was a little concerned that there had been no blog activity and said they were relieved to see my house lights on when they returned the other evening - really good to think that I'm actually missed when I don't blog.  The main reason is that I've been concentrating on sewing some bags of various designs for a 'bag tombola' fund-raising project which will be part of our group quilt exhibition in September.  Sadly I handed some in last Thursday without remembering to take any pictures but I do have photos now of three, two of which I've made today.  Someone at the group had been given some sample pieces of very expensive furnishing fabric and when I said that some of them would be good to make bags of course I was given a piece and I'm sure they are expecting to see what I've done with it next week!  I had acquired some of this cat print furnishing fabric and decided that the striped piece would go with that, along with some black handles and lining.  Many of the bags I'm making are using up various charity shop finds along with bits and pieces from my stash.  I'm really enjoying my stitching sessions but unfortunately it has meant that I've not spent as much time at the computer as I normally do - can't be in two places at once!!

I hope you are all enjoying some nice bright sunshine and seeing the spring flowers appearing.

Houses at Make My Monday

Nothing for a week and then two in one day!!  This card is for the Make My Monday challenge where they are asking for houses/buildings so I took the opportunity of using up some more of my scraps and making a 'new home card' into the bargain.  The image is from Polkadoodles Sugar Plum Daisy CD, printed twice with the floral roof and front door cut out and layered for dimension.