ATC and Craft Room Makeover

Good morning all. What is everyone getting up to today? I think it will be a quiet one here...lots of crafting now I have space to move! I've lots of new stuff still waiting to be put through it's paces.

It was a lovely day here yesterday but very, very cold so I tucked myself in the craft room and made some progress with future DT projects. I managed this little ATC to share too though.

Kraft card ATC painted with gesso then coloured with gelatos. Texture added down LHS with glass bead glitter gel. JOFY stamp (JM25) stamped onto tissue paper with Memento and coloured with promarkers. Love sentiment stamped and grungy dots stamped on top. Two hearts which were die waste added top right.  Grunged the edges with black gelato then I used some picket fence spray stain to finish off.

I entering this at Paper Artsy where the challenge is "Fragile Papers". I was inspired by Clare who used tissue paper on her Journal Tag, although in a completely different way! Loved all of the inspiration this fortnight but I was short on time and the scale adapted easily to an ATC.

 This is roughly what my craft room used to look like..it was too much of a mess to take before pictures!! These pictures were taken just after the room was fitted out a few years ago. I did change things a bit and had got rid of the pine desk and replaced it with a plastic trolley when I no longer needed a printer in there. 

This is what it looked like on Thursday after my big sort out.

All my ribbons now hanging on the back of the door. Moving into the room the trolleys and 2 extra new sets of drawers house mostly mixed media findings and bits to recycle along with my punches.
Opposite wall...my stamps, embossing folders and some dies sit on top of drawers housing glue, card, aqua tints and embossing powders (2 extra sets of drawers here). Above this I have a rack for my ink pads.

The window wall...large nesties and 6" paper on the shelves...my work space.... with lots of drawer space beneath (metal drawers are new)...magnetic die storage and large stamp sets. I got rid of the ribbon racks and now have some wall space for displaying finished goods.

Back wall...more work space...loads of drawers (2 extra sets here too) with space above for storing boxes and stuff...my promarkers and a little workspace for colouring. I had a paper rack where the two canvases are on the wall but have taken it down too. There is another higher shelf which houses empty cardboard boxes, printer paper and large card blanks....but mainly empty boxes!!

So as you can see I did manage to use all six sets of drawers hubby bought...and here's me thinking two sets would be enough!!

Enjoy your day!

Toe Tappers

Good morning all.

Last night was a little calmer thank goodness, we had wind and rain most of the day yesterday...still no snow though! Managed a little bit of crafting yesterday but nothing I can show just yet. Didn't get on too well with the light box...I'm going to try it on the dining table to see if more space helps. I have found a low light setting on my newer camera which takes pics I'm fairly happy with though!

Another oldie to share today. Toe Tappers...no not the Shunter's Social Club (who else is old enough to remember that on a Sunday night!).

Again the year was 2007 and Toe Tappers were all the rage...this was my first attempt! Hark at all the peel offs...a girl's best friend in those days!! I remember being rather proud of this one, probably the first time I'd successfully stamped this Happy Birthday background stamp.This went to my niece, wonder if she still has it?

I'm going to link this up over at Snappy Crafts where Erika runs a Golden Oldie Friday spot, which several of my blogging buddies have been joining in recently.

Imagination Crafts "January Mid Way Inspiration"

Good morning all.

Another nice day here yesterday but it didn't half blow a hoolie last night!
My craft room is in working order again and I'm hoping to spend some time crafting today...I need to crack on with some DT projects so I'm not rushing around at the last minute. Found a space for my new light box and finally worked out how to use it after consulting the internet...the instructions included were a lot of help! So we'll see how well it works.

 Here is my mid month inspiration post for 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 upcycled a humble jam jar.

I used Martha Stewart moulds and aqua sea Sparkle Medium to make the two blue snowflakes...these do take a day or two to dry out so prepare them in advance. The snowman is made with texture paste and coloured with promarkers, again this took several days to dry.

The jar was covered with gel medium, crackle glaze and another layer of gel medium, allowing each layer to dry. I then used distress inks to colour. More gel was added around the neck and glitter was added. I then used stamps from the Snowman Decoupage stamp set to stamp snowflakes around the jar with versamark and heat embossed with white detail EP. 

The white snowflake is a tree decoration, ribbon is from my stash. Sentiment is also from the Snowman Decoupage Stamp set. Die cute is from Spellbinders.

Challenges entered:

Artist Trading Post - fresh beginnings (stamping on glass)

WOW - DIY-decor

Recycle, Re-Purpose and Re-Invent - anything goes with recycling

Not Just Cards - anything goes

CRAFT - Christmas

Craft my Life - anything but a card

Decorate to Celebrate - anything goes

Craft-Dee BowZ - anything goes with a hand tied bow

Sparkle and Sprinkle - anything goes with loose glitter, EP or flocking

Holly Jolly - ornaments

Christmas Snowflake

Good morning all.

We had a gorgeous day yesterday...I believe it was a tad chilly but I didn't venture over the doorstep to find out! No snow for us I think we've been bypassed again.

I spent the day drowning in ribbons...if I use a yard on each card I make for the rest of my life I won't get through all the supply!!! I can see the craft room floor now so should be able to take some pictures later today or tomorrow. A trip out grocery shopping on the cards today...the natives are starting to revolt again...wish we didn't have to eat!

A simple Christmas card to share today....and not a ribbon in sight lol.

Using the Muse card as inspiration and the song Snowflake by Jim Reeves (Mum was a big fan and I remember this when I was young...very young!), I die cut the largest of a nestabilities snowflake set from the front layer of my card. The rest of the snowflake dies were layered up and popped up inside the cut out. Sentiment is a freebie die from Tattered Lace and I've cut it 3 times to make it stand out. Card is finished with a blue gem.

Challenges entered:

Muse #100

CAS on Sunday - Christmas

The Christmas Challenge - non traditional colours

CHNC - inspired by a Christmas song or Carol

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Fairy Tale - snow

Frosted Designs Friday - white as a snowflake

City Crafter Challenge - winter white

Die Cuttin Divas - picture challenge

{Pin}spirational Challenge - snowflake image

Top Tip Tuesday - keep it simple

Deep Ocean - winter dreams

Yay for You

Good morning all.

I think I'm on the home straight with the re-organisation, busy sorting out ribbons and lace and need to sort and store all the bits I got from my sister in law before Christmas and I will be about done, thank goodness.

I found a box of card kits I'd forgotten I had...a long time ago purchase from QVC! As I was going to make a congratulations card for my nephew this was spot on. Everything was provided and I made it according to the original design...perfect for a quick card

Challenges entered:

Quirky Crafts - clean and simple

Simple Create Too - let's celebrate

Cards Galore Encore - anything goes

The Sisters of Craft - anything goes

Crafting from the Heart - anything goes

Get Creative - celebrate anything new (new degree)

Love to Create - anything goes

My Craft Creations - anything goes

The One That Got Away!

Good morning all.

Yesterday was another day spent organising the craft room, it's getting there slowly!

Today's share is a tag I found when moving  A4 drawers...it was tucked between two of them, obviously put there to flatten it! I hadn't even missed it!

Background has been inked with various DI using an acrylic block by the looks of things. I've used various stamps from magazine freebies to over stamp. Yesterday I finished it off with a snowman made from textured paste which I coloured with promarkers; a spray of  picket fence stain; cord from my stash and a few gems.

Challenges entered:

Amusing - winter/snow

Opus Gluei - anything but a card

Sentimental Sunday - anything but a card

That Craft Place - monochromatic

QKR Stampede - baby it's cold outside

That's Crafty - blue is the colour

CRAFT - not a card

One Crazy Stamper - blue and white plus an embellishment

Crafty Creations - brrr blues

Inspiration Destination - anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - inky background

Sweet Stamps - winter blues

One Layer, First Attempt!!!

Good morning all.

I'm making headway in the craft room, I managed to move all the existing drawers and clutter so I could give the floor a good sweep and now have four new sets of drawers fitted in. I managed to sort my stamp collection (see below!) out whilst watching Liverpool beating Sunderland in the afternoon, hubby made the tea and I got some of the empty drawers filled.

Now I'd class myself as a bit of a non stamper for most of the 9 years I've been card making so how the heck did all this lot find it's way into my stash!

I managed to clear a space to make a card last night too after finding these stamps in my collection I thought I'd make a card for the new parents to be and pop it in with my nephew's birthday card.

It's the dreaded one layer week at Less is More this week but I gritted my teeth and set to!

This evolved first time...no re runs; no wasted card; no tantrums, hair pulling or swear words!!

I was chuffed as a bag of monkey's!!

I started by masking off the card before stamping and heat embossing a baby background stamp from Rubber Stampede (whoever they are!) with white detail EP. This was then inked up with spun sugar and tumbled glass distress inks. The sentiment is from Joanna Sheen from a Messy Rabbit set, stamped and heat embossed in silver detail EP.....this was the point I nearly messed up as I didn't re-dust the card with the anti-static bag before stamping and the silver EP stuck everywhere it hit, luckily with the help of a paint brush and lots of blowing and tapping it cleaned up enough to be usable - just needed a gemstone where I'd inadvertently brushed the dot.

At this point I felt it needed a little something else and luckily the largest stitched frame of my Spellbinders die set fitted perfectly width ways and following Chrissie's tutorial I lengthened it to fit..thanks Chrissie :)

I really wanted to add a bow but curbed myself as I needed the card to be flat.

Challenges entered:

Less is More - one layer new beginnings

A Gem of a Challenge - something new

Happy Little Stamper's - CAS watercolouring

CAS.ology - date

STAMPlorations - stamps and ink

Golden Oldie!!

Good morning all.

The craft room re-organisation is under way, so far I have fitted three new sets of drawers in, done lots of cleaning and moved all my stamps, embossing folders and dies to the sitting room so I can box them up sensibly in the new boxes. Today I need to fill the drawers and at very least finish cleaning the room!

So no new cards to show today but I thought I'd leave you with a golden oldie!

2007 was the year and this was for one of my nephews...they all used to love getting a folded £20 note! Can't actually believe how basic it is...but at least my peel offs are straight! It is gratifying to realise that all the time and money I have spent on my hobby haven't been totally wasted...I have improved somewhat I think!

Until next time, enjoy your weekend whatever you're up to.

Happy Birthday

Good morning all.

Hubby announced yesterday he was going to Ikea and as I didn't feel up to a trek to Edinburgh I gave him a list...2 sets of drawers and 6 boxes...he came home with 6 of each. MEN!! Today there will be a mammoth re-organisation of the craft room to see how many sets I can fit in! Waste not want not!

Found out last night I'm to be a great Aunt in the summer...not that I'm not already a "great" Aunt! Wedding couple no 2 are set to be the proud parents. Another nephew graduated from Durham University with a Master of Science in the faculty of social sciences and health yesterday....I really ought to make him a card but my mind is blank!

Another birthday card to share today, the two nephew's above both have birthdays next week.

Background stamp is new one from Inkylicious, after stamping with Archival ink I used various distress inks to colour it up then layered it onto black card.  Rosette die is one I've had for quite some time and don't use very often - it's from Memory Box. Birthday die from Clearly Besotted...I inked up a piece of waste card with the same DI as the background before die cutting, then layered it up with a couple more for dimension. Added a few gems to finish it off.

Challenges entered:

Happy Little Stampers CAS

Happy Little Stampers Sketch

Art Impressions Stamps - what's new (background stamp)

Scrapbooker PHD - male birthday + die cut

Country View Crafts - use something new

Die Cut Divas - anything goes

Crafter's Cafe - something new

Loves Rubberstamps - anything goes

Sweet Stamps - something new

Simon Says Stamp Monday - old + new

Hello

Good morning all.

Still full of the cold here, although not feeling so yuk as I was on Tuesday, in fact from the neck down I'm fine! Sending hugs to those more in need of them than me.

Managed a quick card last night...well when I say quick it took all evening. I knew before I started what I was going to use, it seemed such a simple idea...SO why did it take several attempts to execute?? I don't even think I like the result!! I'm blaming the fuggy head!

Excuse the awful colours...I did get a light box off eldest for Christmas but haven't got around to working out how to use it, or finding somewhere to put it! Base card is a lovely plum colour. Stamps are from Stamplorations, all recent purchases and stamped for the first time with elderberry Memento ink. Shading has been done with milled lavender DI. Hello die is another new acquisition from Memory Box and I've cut it from the base first then inlaid a plain white one and layered up with the original one on top. A couple of gems finish things off.

Challenges entered:

Stamplorations Sketch #25

CMCC #53 - Colour Me...monochromatic

Stamplorations - stamps and ink

Darnell's NBUS Challenge #3 - use new schtuff

Crafting for all Seasons #93 "Ribbon, Lace and Pearls

Good morning all.

Well I finally succumbed yesterday to a stinking head cold...I never left my PJ's all day! If the shopping hadn't been delivered everyone would have gone hungry.

It's time for our first challenge of the year at CFAS and this time the theme is "Ribbon, Lace and Pearls". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Digi Stamps 4 Joy who gave the DT images to work with.

I've opted not to use an image this time, instead I've done some book folding...it was on my list of things to try and after seeing Karon's entry for our last challenge I thought no time like the present.

The large tree is made with an old paper back novel I had recently read and the smaller one is made with an old diary. Both have been sprayed with my new distress spray inks (love these) in peeled paint, pine needles and picket fence with gold shimmer mist to add some glitter. Ribbon, lace and pearls from my stash. Tree toppers are Christmas tree ornaments. both trees are made the same way but the larger one has an extra fold which gives it a flat bottom

I pinched the snow people off Rudolph...he's back in the craft room awaiting a re-fit!

I really enjoyed making these...something to do sitting in front of the TV which doesn't require reading glasses!

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:
Recycle, Re-Purpose & Re-Invent - anything goes with recycling
Altered Eclectics - anything goes
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - altered art/mixed media
All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card
Crafty Boots - something new (new technique and inks)
Not Just Cards - anything goes
ABC Challenge - A is for anything goes
Decorate to Celebrate - anything 3D goes
Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes
Inspiration Destination - anything goes

Birthday Wishes

Good morning all.

Trying to get back into crafting here...mojo is here but the room is heap lie on with stuff which doesn't yet have a home and a huge box in the middle of the floor, it really isn't conducive to creativity. I'm hoping to get some tidying up done today after Mr Tesco has delivered the groceries.

I did manage a quick play last night, after watching Liverpool win whatever round it was of the FA cup, and produced a birthday card for my nephew.

The circles dies are both from Memory Box, the sunbursty one was bought before Christmas and I just hadn't got around to using it. My second layer is silver mirri card which isn't showing too well in the photo. The interlocking circles was a sales purchase and I've cut it in both black and white card and filled in the holes. The birthday die is from Clearly Besotted and I've layered it up three times to give it some dimension. Wishes stamp is from an Imagination Crafts set. Gems from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Less is More - colour theme black, metallic plus one

Muse Challenge #99 - I used the die cut for inspiration

Simon Says Wednesday - anything goes

Virginia's View - clean slate (lots of white space)

Christmas Card Club "Clean & Simple in Red, White and Green"

Good morning all.

Hope everyone is well...woke with a sore throat yesterday and felt a bit grotty all day but hoping it isn't going to turn into something nasty.

Christmas decorations got taken down yesterday although they're still lying in the sitting room as no one got the boxes out of the loft! Laundry almost caught up on and the house hovered so hopefully I'll find time to sort the craft room out today.

Our first challenge of the year at the Christmas Card Club and I got to choose the theme so I set the girls the task of making a clean and simple card using my favourite colour combo for Christmas - red, white and green. Here is what I created.

Dies are from Spellbinders. Stamps are from Penny Black and were a magazine freebie. I've used red stickles to add berries to the wreath.

Last years's resolution was to finish my cards inside as I made them and I plan to continue that this year (this card is done), this year I plan to make use of all my un-inked stamps and unused dies...this card uses the fancy dies, wreath and circular sentiment for the first time.

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes 

CHNC - anything goes

Completely Christmas - anything goes + twist New Year Resolution

Winter Wonderland - favourite colour combo

Christmas Cards all Year Round - anything Christmas goes

Polka Doodles - tic tac toe (sentiment, image, die cut)

Crafty Catz - anything goes

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - new (New Year Resolution)

Crazy4Challenges - CAS

A Gem of a Challenge - new (resolution)

Favourite Card from 2014

Good morning all.

I hope you've all recovered from the festivities! It's still a holiday here in Scotland and the kids don't go back to school until Tuesday so we're not back to normal yet. We had a quiet New Year here with my Mum.

Today I'm showcasing my favourite non Christmas card from last year. The image is from Delicious Doodles and I coloured with promarkers. You can click on the link to see the original post.

Poppies

Challenges entered:

Clear it Out  - favourite card 2014

Artistic Inspirations - favourite project 2014

Deep Ocean Challenge - favourite 2014 card

Imagination Crafts "January Challenge - Anything Goes"

Good morning all.  I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous  New Year.

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 used another of the gorgeous Decoupage Stamp Sets - Snowman for this card which was made for my Mum. I do love this cheeky chap and this time he's all layered up...or should that be she?

 Image and sentiment have been stamped in versamark and heat embossed with silver detail EP (image three times). The background of the base image was washed over with silver aquatints and allowed to dry. Meanwhile I coloured up the layers with promarkers. Base was trimmed to fit a Spellbinder mat which I's cut from silver mirri card, then layers were cut out and added with foam pads. The hat was trimmed with Candy Floss Sparkle Medium.

I've die cut, embossed and inked the Falling Softly Die'Sire Create a Card die and layered onto silver mirri card. Dies are all from Spellbinders. Glittered snowflake is from Asda, ribbons, gems and pearls are from my stash. Apologies for the red snowflakes above the image...that's just my jumper reflected in the mirri card!!!

Here you can see all the layers popped up on foam and a peek at the finish inside. Definitely one for hand delivering.

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Craft-Dee Bowz - anything goes with a hand tied bow
Dream Valley - Christmas
Pile it On - anything Christmas goes
The Glory of Christmas - anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Christmas
CHNC - anything Christmas goes
Fussy and Fancy - snowflakes and ribbon
QKR STampede - santa or snowman
Winter Wonderland - fussy and fancy