I dare you swap (1 and 2)

Have had a good time this weekend making my 'I dare' you swaps. I really like it when you just get something done and dusted without too much angst.


The challenges set were for a textured ATC, an ATC sized tag, something in the shape of a house and something altered. The first one gave me the chance to use some ground glass I had bought (sort of dictated the colour too as I only had it in shades of pink and red). Stuck it on with pva glue. It is certainly textural but the finish is a bit gloopy. Might try it again with liquid UTEE as that probably dries more glossy clear but then of course you might lose the texture. Any ideas?

For the tag, I had a go at the emboss-resist technique, then stamped over the top and just generally layered it all up. I actually made three similar tags and put them together to make one item. This one is for Sparkles so hope she likes it.

And the winner is............

SIAN, though I'm sure she could do a much better one herself. And it's pretty, mmm, Sian doesn't do pretty. Ho hum well she's lumbered now.

Well, have been beavering away today in between doing the washing etc and all the other boring stuff one has to do when one comes back from holiday. Have managed to get one ATC done in return for a swap that arrived while I was away, and made a start on my first of the round robin pages which is for Yvonne so should have some art to post very soon. Thought I was going to have a nice peaceful day to myself but Ryan stayed home from school and is currently practising his rock guitar.....loudly. Chelsey only had a short day and is sitting in the garden with some friends with the radio blaring playing games. Huh.

Here is a picture of the lovely PEACEFUL hotel where I was staying in Calla Llonga. I really wanted to get home yesterday but I'm already reminded of why I like to have my week away on my own!!

Slide Mailer Give Away

Am going off on holiday tomorrow so will be offline for a while. To make life ineteresting for anyone who comes along for a nose, I am offering this slide mailer as a give away. If you would be interested, leave a comment and I'll draw a name out of a hat on Thursday week. It's a bit pink, and a bit romantic (must have had too much wine that afternoon) so won't suit everyone but I made it when I was practising with image transfers. Anyhow, will miss you all but am looking forward to a week lazing on a sun lounger.

Obsessed with tiles

I have just bought a great big bag of UTEE and am now obsessed with creating little glossy tiles for my ATCs. I have always been fascinated by lacquer and enamel work, I think it's as near as I can get to it! The great thing about using UTEE rather than glossy accents or similar is that should you accidentally crack it you can just reheat.

Anyhow this ATC is really a bit of a happy accident. I had already made and discarded the background and wanted to practice a bit more with the 'tile making' so cut out an image I wasn't very fond of. After making the tile, which I was intending to put on an alcohol ink over green mirri card background (that one did go in the bin, horrid), I was looking around for something to put it on and saw the discarded backings. Somehow it all came together and I ended up making two I was quite pleased with. No fantastically arty techniques but a composition that pleases my eye anyway. Isn't it strange how that just happens sometimes?

Tiresome but...

Just realised I have spent nearly 2 and a half hours answering a few messages, uploading a few photos, putting some things in envelopes.....all this art admin is almost like having a part time job lol!! I tend to think I should save things up and then do a batch at once but then everything takes so long I wonder if that's the best way round it. So tiresome... Amnyhow have just finished uploading all my DACs for the last week. Not sure what I'm going to do nextweek when I'm on holiday, think I feel a series of zentangles coming on cos then all I need to take with me is some card and a pen!! All my cards this week have just been playing with techniques, using up some bits and bobs I've had around and some new bits I've had in the post like the wing stamps. Really haven't felt very inspired and the garden calls...oh yeah and packing I suppose.

Round Robin Swap

Have joined a round robin/journal swap and this is my attempt at the theme 'woman'. I have no idea why this ended up like this, and I'm not really sure I like it but the mojo has definitely been a bit thin on the ground this week.

The pages are 6 x 6 which is a size I had intended to move to for my daily art cards but given how long its taken me to do this I might have to reconsider that. Not sure I've got time to do anything else, will have to check the posting dates.

Gosh, have you been burgled?....

You know that joke thing you see when someone walks into a messy room and says ' gosh you've been burgled and the occupier says, no it always looks like this.... well that is the state of my house at the moment. So much as I would like to sit and craft today I think it's time to have a quick whizz round and put a few things away. I have had a pleasant hour sitting here while everyone's asleep updating my galleries doing my DAC etc and answering pms but time to crack the whip. May be back later.

Meanwhile just wanted to show this ATC, just a simple triple embossed tile but I used alcohol inks on mirri card for the background. Hadn't done that before but quite like the effect. mmmm shiny. Think I was a magpie in a previous life.