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Hello and welcome to my blog. Here I will be showcasing all my design team work, general crafting and digital scrap booking.I hope you enjoy seeing my creations and listening to my ramblings. If you leave a comment I'll know you've been and be able to visit you in return. I read and appreciate all comments which are left - good or bad! Thank you for taking the time to visit me. Pop back soon. Carol xx
Showing posts with label Visible Images. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Visible Images. Show all posts

Sunday, 15 May 2016

Christmas Card Club "Snowy Trees"

Good morning all.

Still battling away trying to get the house ready to move into. Managed to move some stuff into the craft room but not a lot! Trying to get all the trades coordinated is a nightmare....I'm never moving again, not am I going to refit a kitchen!!! Please remind me I said that if I show any signs of doing either! We'll get there eventually but it's driving me nuts at the moment.

We said a sad farewell to my Aunty on Tuesday...a very small funeral as at 93 she'd outlived most of her contemporaries. Five out of nine of my cousins were there and the eldest did a lovely eulogy. It was great to catch up as we don't see each other often these days. The weather was lovely too which always seems to lift the mood on an otherwise sad occasion.

Two weeks have passed since our last Christmas Card Club Challenge, this time it was Christine's turn to pick the challenge and she's asked to see "Snowy Trees". Here is my effort:


The stamp is from Visible Image, stamped with versamark and heat embossed with white EP, then inked with DI. This was another piece lying on my desk so I die cut it with my Lawn Fawn squares and simply matted and layered onto my card front and finished off with a gemstone.

You'll find a list of the other girls in my sidebar if you'd like to see their makes too.


Monday, 15 June 2015

Hello!

Good morning all.

So Saturday I was turning the heating up and yesterday I sitting outside in the sun...British weather at it's best!

Eldest is 25 today and seems to be enjoying himself in Iceland, he's off on a snow mobile trip on a glacier today...a birthday present to himself! We're going to follow in his footsteps next year and have just booked flights to New Zealand for 6 weeks in January/February....one of the reasons I've not done much crafting lately. I've been comparing prices, planning routes, checking out accommodation etc etc! We're hiring a car and just doing our own thing so lots to organize!

I'm currently trying to get ahead with all my DT commitments for the summer as we're off to Devon next month for a couple of weeks. Also need loads of cards for July...it's a very busy month!


This one is for a card swap with the theme of butterflies. Die from Wplus9...cut twice to give a little dimension whilst trying to  keep the embossed card from warping. Embossing folder from Cuttlebug, inked with abandoned coral DI. Butterfly from Visible Images stamped and heat embossed twice, inked with various shades of blue DI with added abandoned coral then fussy cut and layered. Sentiment from Wild Rose Studio, sequins from my stash.

Challenges entered:
Addicted to Stamps - summer colours
Fairytale Stampers - anything goes
Glitter and Sparkle - include a die cut
Love to Create - anything goes
Just us Girls - stacked dies
Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes
Visible Image Face Book June Show and Tell 

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

Work in Progress

Good morning all.

Gosh it's been a tad windy around here, luckily no damage and yesterday was quite nice otherwise.

Sharing my Card Chain Challenge make for May today. Checkout the link if you'd like to join in, still time to link up for the June challenge. This card went to the lovely Deborah herself.


Background stamp and sentiment are from Unity Stamps, border stamp is from Visible Image and was a magazine freebie. Pearls and raffia from my stash.

I received this card from the lovely Janet in Mauritius.

Janet-Ribet

Challenges entered:
Loves Rubber Stamps - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Dream Valley Challenges - anything goes
Allsorts - vintage
Simply Create Too - keep it simple
Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Sew Simple

Good morning all.

Another lovely day yesterday to round off the holiday weekend. Hubby was building a shed so I did some cooking, cleaning and washing!

Sharing a card made for a card swap today, the theme of which was "Sew Simple".


Backing paper is from Webster's Pages and was either a magazine freebie or candy win. Stamps are all from Visible Image. Twine and charm are from my stash.

Challenges entered:
Dream Valley - anything goes
Love to Scrap - anything goes
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Scribble and Scrap - anything goes
Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - anything goes/make it girly
Visible Image - FB May show and tell

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

Crafting for all Seasons Challenge #100 "Milestone Celebrations"

Good morning all.

Arrived safely yesterday, weather is dry but a little cool. Managed a little detour via Strikes garden centre for a few crafty purchases enroute! Wonder how many more crafty stops I can fit in!

It's celebration time over at CFAS today...we've reached our 100th challenge!! We've lots of sponsors this week with some fab prizes...and our theme is "Milestone Celebrations".
Here is my card:

I've used Moon Girl and Owl from Ppinky Dolls Art who are one of our sponsors. I've coloured with promarkers, then used drawing gum over the image, die cut with a square nestie and inked the background with DI whilst still in the die. Backing paper was a snippet in my stash. Edging stamp was a magazine freebie from Visible Image. Sentiment is from Lawn Fawn. No's stamps are from Bo Bunny. Sequins from my stash.


We are being sponsored by all of the following who gave the DT images to work with:

All Dressed Up Stamps - Prize 2 images
Fabulous Sponsor 2015
Ppinky Dolls - Prize 3 images
Fabulous Sponsor 2015
Just Inklined - Prize $10 GC
Fabulous Sponsor 2015
FaeryInk - Prize 3 images
Fabulous Sponsor 2015
Bugaboo - Prize 7 images
Fabulous Sponsor 2015
Tiffany Doodles - prize 3 images
Fabulous Sponsor 2015

Challenges entered:
Brown Sugar - distress
Crafting from the Heart - anything goes
Craft your Passion - anything goes
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Through the Purple Haze - anything goes
I Love Promarkers - many happy returns
Addicted to Stamps - girly but not pink

Thursday, 9 April 2015

Merry Christmas

Good morning all.

The kids are definitely getting the good weather this week for the holidays...hope it continues into next week as we're hoping to have a few days away.

Another Christmas card to share today which I managed to finish during half time last night. Two happy Liverpool fans in the house now!


Stamp is from Visible Images stamped with versamark and heat embossed with black detail EP, cut with a square nestie and inked with DI whilst in the die, matted onto black card and kraft card base.

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes
Crafting by Designs - get ready for Christmas
Crafty Gals - any holiday
House that Stamps Built - heat embossing
Penny's Paper-Crafty - anything goes

Monday, 9 February 2015

Live Your Dreams

Good morning all.

Another gloriously sunny day here yesterday. We took a trip to Edinburgh to see if Lora's new glasses were in...after two weeks there was no sign of  them and no one knew why so we're waiting for a phone call today to find out what is happening. Meanwhile we have to hope the sellotape holds! The place was heaving...all the eateries were full and no one has any money! Did have a swift tour around Hobbycraft...it would have been rude not to and got a couple of magazines which had nice freebies and a few other bits and bobs but can't say anything really grabbed me.

Sharing the commissioned card I finished on Saturday.


Various sentiment stamps from Visible Image were stamped and heat embossed with white detail ink then using one of the new 8x8 embossing folders from Crafter's Companion I embossed the card. Card was inked with distressed inks which I then softened with gesso. Dots were stencilled with texture paste. More sentiment stamps were stamped onto tissue and adhered with matte gel. Various small background stamps were stamped in the DI and black archival ink. Frame and number dies are from Spellbinders, happy birthday stamp and banner die are from Clearly Besotted. 


Pages 2, 3 and 4 are made using the same embossing folder and inks but I've inked the folders before embossing. Stamps are from Stampers Anonymous, Lavinia Stamps, Bo Bunny and Unity Stamps...some have been stamped and heat embossed before the embossing was done, others are stamped on tissue and adhered as above, the rest are stamped in black archival or the same DI used on the card.

Very over the top but my cousin wanted something special for her daughter.


Challenges entered:
Open Minded Crafting - no pink, no red
Our Creative Corner - tic tac toe (EP, stencils and mediums)
Craft for the Craic - birthday or anniversary
Crafty Catz - birthdays
Crafter's Cafe - birthday
Simon says Stamp - bright and beautiful
Loves Rubber Stamps - anything goes
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Visible Image - Show and Tell February

Sunday, 1 February 2015

Imagination Crafts "February Challenge - Anything Goes"

Good morning all.

It's time once again for a new challenge at Imagination Crafts.
Our theme is always anything goes and the winner will receive a £40 voucher to spend in the Imagination Crafts Shop.

I've done a canvas this time, although my brain wasn't really in gear when I started!


An 8x8 canvas painted with black gesso, then roughly coated with red acrylic paint. I then used the Time and Motion stencil with white acrylic...if my brain had been in gear I'd have used texture paste!
Next I added the Skateboarder stencil (not yet on the website) using Black Stars Sparkle Medium...I really should have added everything else first! After allowing everything to dry I added lots of bits and pieces...bottle tops, clothing label, buttons, cogs from the inside of a tape roller, tapestry plastic and some wooden embellishments from Prima. These were all painted with white gesso then various acrylic paints. Take Risks sentiment is from Visible Image and I stamped onto tissue paper. After raiding hubby's toolbox I added some silver washers to finish off.

I'm quite happy with the finished results though and eldest is going to hang it on his bedroom wall...so it can't be that bad lol!

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from my team mates, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent - anything goes but must recycle
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - anything goes
Altered Eclectics - anything goes

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Shabby Chic Paint Technique

Good morning all.

Yesterday was positively miserable weather wise...a good day to stay at home! Got two loads of washing done, whipped around the house with the hoover and made a roast dinner. I managed to finish off a couple of DT projects too but can't show you them yet.

A new technique featured in this month's edition of Craft Stamper magazine...faux shabby chic.


Circles are inked with Seedless Preserves distress ink before being stamped with embossing ink and heat embossed with clear EP. I've used picket fence distress paint to shabby them up. Don't think the technique shows particularly well with this stamp but you live and learn!
The Visible Images Ho stamp was a freebie with the magazine. I've used a scalloped nestie to die cut the top white layer and inset the circles...first time I have tried this and not got them quite straight! Sentiment die is from Clearly Besotted.
All card used was found lurking in my bit boxes...it's quite liberating seeing it put to use instead of cluttering the place up!!


Challenges entered:
Love to Create - Christmas
Sparkle and Sprinkle - anything goes with glitter, EP or flocking
Christmas Cards all Year Round - no patterned paper
CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes
Dies R Us - Christmas
Die Cut Divas - holiday spirit

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

Altered Frame

Good morning all.

We had a warm, dry if slightly bleak day yesterday but the rain is forecast for today.
Lots more snippets busted yesterday afternoon, though some of you expert snippeteers would be horrified at what I threw out....but I needed to take control of the situation and show them who was boss lol. I was very pleased to find the box under the one I was working from was actually full of photos and not snippets so I'm one down and only two to go!

An altered frame to share today. I actually altered the frame a while back but couldn't decide what to use it for so it's being lying in one of the piles in my craft room for some time!!


The frame was originally a lovely rosewood one which I painted with acrylic chalk paint in purple before using  crackle glaze and some acrylic chalk in lilac. I had painted the hardboard piece from the frame in white acrylic after doing the frame and decided to decorate this....unfortunately because I hadn't used any gesso on the card it hadn't sealed and the coloured inks were soaked up a little.
Stamps are from Visible Images, Premium Craft Brand and Bo Bunny and stamped in either Memento, Distress or Archival inks. Stencils from Memory Box. Ribbon, flowers and pearls from my stash. 

Challenges entered:
Frosted Designs Friday - mixed media
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Red Rubber Inspirationals - stay focussed on stamping
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Eclectic Ellapu - flowers
Eclectic Ellapu - texture
Altered Eclectics - anything goes
The Mirror Crack'd - the human form
All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card
Sweet Stampin - anything but a card
Craft-Dee Bowz - anything goes with a hand made bow

Monday, 27 October 2014

Imperfection is Beauty

Good morning all. Hope you've all had a pleasant weekend.

Well I tackled the snippets invasion yesterday...I probably spent 8 hours die cutting and I've only just made a dent in the first box (there are four of varying sizes and fullness),  I think this was the largest! All the workspace I created on Saturday is now full of piles of die cuts and mats!
Off to the hairdressers this morning but I think I know what I'll be doing this afternoon!

An altered notebook to share today.


Cover was coated with several layers of gesso before being painted with no 6 aquatints. I then used various background stamps from Artistic Stampers, Bo Bunny and Visible Images inked with DI or Memento ink. Main image is from Indigo Blu along with the flowers in the top right hand corner and were a magazine freebie. Two sayings are from Visible Images along with the flower in the bottom left hand corner. I finished off with some white splats from my Premium Craft Brands set.


A picture with the protective front closed and one after the first coat of gesso as I forgot to take a before photo!! 
Challenges entered:
Frosted Designs Friday - mixed media
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
The Three Muses - shades of blue
Red Rubber Inspirationals - stay focussed on stamping
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Eclectic Ellapu - flowers
Altered Eclectics - anything goes
The Mirror Crack'd - the human form
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - anything goes/Halloween
All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card
Sweet Stampin - anything but a card

Sunday, 26 October 2014

Trick or Treat

Good morning all.

Had a productive day yesterday and got  Gary's bedding all washed and dried including his duvet, pillows and all the protective covers. Then I gutted his bedroom and sorted his drawers out before remaking his bed...all ready for his return in two weeks! Then it was into the craft room and I got some sorting out done in there too...got rid of all the piles and now have room to work without having to manoeuvre everything round the room as I go. It still needs more tidying done and my bit boxes need sorting as they're taking over the place but hey Rome wasn't built in a day! 

I finally got around to buying some rubbing alcohol to try out this technique Alcohol Marker Marbling. I made a couple of treat bags with the results. 


I decided to use Pumpkin, Purple and Lime Green promarkers to make Halloween backgrounds - the result was a little too light for my liking but I decided to ink up some stamps with some Memento inks in similar colours to jazz things up a bit. 
On the left I used various little stamps from Clearly Besotted and a Premium Craft Brand set. Trick or Treat image from Close to my Heart. I edged the topper with black soot DI and layered onto black card.
On the right I inked a Visible Image harlequin stamp with three different colours of Memento and stamped across the background. Image from Close to my Heart. I stamped all round the topper with a splat stamp from the Premium Craft Brand set...I thought they looked a little like spiders...and layered onto black card.
As always I did forget to take a before picture to show how the backgrounds looked before I altered them!!

Challenges entered:
Visible Images - get spooky
Crafts 4 Eternity - Halloween
Creative Corner - Halloween
That's Crafty - spooky
Crafter's Cafe - spookable
Creative Moments - Halloween
Decorate to Celebrate - anything goes 3D
CRAFT - Halloween
Craft Room Challenge - make your own background
Tuesday Throwdown - Halloween colours
Vintage Stamping - colour challenge
A Gem of a Challenge - trick or treat

Friday, 10 October 2014

Imagine, Dream, Inspire...

Good morning all.

Thank goodness it's Friday...I've been totally disorientated this week after our few days away, I might get back on track at the weekend.

Today's share is an altered book. As always I forgot the before photo so here it is after it's first coat of gesso. I found it lying unused and unloved in a drawer and decided it might make a good art journal as the pages are quite sturdy.


After several coats of gesso and white acrylic paint it was ready to alter.


After gathering some stamps and stencils together I masked off the areas for the three word stamps from Visible Image. I also masked the sides of the book to create a white border. Then I got all inky using Distress Inks. I used some stamps from Bo Bunny to overstamp with some distress ink but these didn't come out too well. I then stamped various stamps from Bo Bunny, Inkylicious and a magazine freebie in black Archival ink. The texture paste was put through a stencil from Memory Box. Once everything was dry I removed all the masking tape and stamped the sentiments in black Archival.


I still don't like messy but I love what can be created!

Challenges entered:
Altered Eclectics - anything goes
Eclectic Ellapu - purple texture paste/embossing
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - halloween or not
All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card
Craftin Desert Divas - anything but a card
Dream Valley Challenges - anything but a card
Not Just Cards - anything goes
Inspiration Destination - anything goes
Addicted to Stamps - anything goes
Artist Trading Post - anything mixed media goes