A| winner and a Happy 102nd Birthday......

First, the winner of the monthly art draw is Annette or 'soccermom23'. I have left a message for you to pm me your addy Annette. Once I have it I'll get to the PO as soon as I can.

Thank you everyone for playing, the April Art Draw will be along in a couple of days.

It's also time for my annual commission for a very special lady who is celebrating her 102nd birthday tomorrow.
This is what I made this year.







I am always asked to put the numbers on but have kept them small and subtle - I'm torn between it being not polite to remind a lady of her age and ...


this is something to shout about!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Easter every one xx
 

Tag Challenges

Keep getting those alcohol inks out!!
This time a tag, alcohol
ink background, stamped the main image (Wendy Vecchi) and then used a mask to stamp and emboss the details. Had a couple of the metal flowers left from playing with my TH tags yesterday. Added the stamped word 'beauty' because it needed something else and she is, I think!!

Challenges:
Artistic Stamper (March) - Tag (just about made it!!)
Out of a Hat Creations Challenge #53 - 'Faces'

Tags of 2013 - March

Tim's Tag is here. I gulped, read the instructions through once and had the germs of an idea.

Don't have a bunny die, but I could use an oval - looks a bit like an Easter egg.
Don't have tinsel but I've got some stellar flash I don't know what to do with - that might work instead.
Fringe die?.......Nope.  But I have scissors.
Flower  pins? Well plenty of pins, plus flower punches and craft metal - I'm sure I can come up with something.

And here they are. Actually thought these went together quite quickly (for me) considering I was improvising. One for me to keep, one to go towards next January's giveaway.

Speaking of which, the March Art Draw closes on Sunday 31st March at 9.00 pm. Leave a comment here if you want to be in the draw.

Challenges: Tags of 2013
 

Cuckoo clocks go Steampunk....

is the very first challenge at SanDee and amelie's Steampunk Challenge Blog. Well, being a fan of steampunk I thought I would have a go at this one.



My initial idea was prompted by a recycling theme and I was considering a toilet roll inner, which in turn made me think of something along the lines of an organ pipe (sometimes when I share my thought processes with you I do wonder what is going on in my head, it sounds so daft when you put it down in black and white).

So I extended the TR and made a conical 'roof' with some cereal box card. Added old book pages to strengthen it all and then painted.

I made the bird next from some metal covered card. Did some tooling marks and coloured with alcohol inks (can't seem to put them away now I've got them out). I was very pleased with it until I put the whole thing together - something about it doesn't quite 'gel' with the rest of the project (too flat and shiny?) but I don't have any better ideas so it had to stay.

I had kept a lot of 'clearly for art' waste from another project and now proceeded to cut it into little tiles. I knew there was a reason I had hung on to it!! I then heated each one individually to get a kink (not sure why they had to have a kink but turned out OK) and then stuck them one by one onto the conical roof.

That took quite a while......

While waiting for  that to dry I started treating the main 'cone' with distress EP applied pretty much all over and then added paints/stains/alcohol inks/inka gold and other metallic rub ons to grunge it up further. I should probably have done more paper or paint layers as the edges of the book pages were showing as lines but I was far too impatient - in the end I quite liked the effect, bit like flaky metal so I was glad I hadn't bothered to go for perfection (!)

I finished off with a clock face set in a cog and then various cogs and bits n bobs including the chains and a hanging wire. All in all I like this one and it's already got a nice space on my wall.

It's nearly the closing date for this month's challenge but why not make a note to join in next month?

Challenges: Sandee and amelie's Steampunk Challenge
                    Crafty Emblies Challenge Blog (Anything Goes)

Gothic Arch

For a swap at docrafts. No theme, but as I had these bits out I thought I'd have a go. Not the best photo.

Patterned paper has been overstamped for the background, the image is stamped on an alcohol ink background. Spellbinder frame, beaded ribbon from my stash painted with gold dabber, marianne die rose. I even tried recolouring my gold jewels with alcohol inks as they weren't quite the right shade.

Can't tell if the shape is wonky or it's the angle of the picture. Def looks better IRL.

What's On Your Wordesk? Wednesday..... # 199

Wednesday again? Well that went fast.

First thing, anyone interested in how the costume I was making last week turned out, some piccies can be found here.

Back to this week, I am getting all messy with inks and paint and my desk does kinda reflect that LOL! Good luck working out what any of this is - there are at least three projects on the go today, had a little flash of mojo last night when I finally got into my craft room.

The alcohol inks are out again, as are my Lynn Perella stamps, there  are some clearly for art strips that hopefully are going on to an assemblage type piece I am making in  tandem with a gothic arch and some ATCs - well I have to give things time to dry!! Going to have to tidy up a bit soon as am down to my usual 6 inch square.

If you want to show off your desk then hop on over to Julia's and join in. Got more time than usual as I'm home today so off for a browse.....

Easter Card...

I bought a couple of new stamp sets today in hobbycraft for a £1 each (well that's just pocket money LOL) and thought I would try them out. I thought I'd use the bunny one for an easter card as I don't seem to have much in the way of Easter images. I'm not sure she looks a very happy bunny though, in fact she looks a little startled!!

I also used my new Marianne English Rose die to make the flowers. I tried them out with some felt I bought a while ago to make ducks (don't ask) and  they turned out quite nice. I have never tried felt with die cuts or flower making before and the only thing I will say is that you can't manipulate it in quite the same way as you can paper - once rolled it tends to stay there, it won't go 'loose' of you let go of  it. Otherwise lovely and tactile and holds it shape well.

Struggled for a sentiment and opted to use a ready made one from an old kit. Being lazy.
Bit of ribbon and bling and voila, one Easter card.

I am putting this one into the J & CC March challenge. I'm also going to link up with the current polkadoodles challenge (could have done with the Cherry Blossom Lane CD for a bunny image!!) and chose the backing paper from Studio 12's Picknix  'Heavenly Garden'.

 

Alcohol Inks fo Artful Times and TOFF

Artful Times suggested we get out our alcohol inks this week - and why not, it's certainly been a while since I've used those little bottles of loveliness. I made a couple of backgrounds - I really had forgotten how quick this can be! - and just had enough to make four ATCs.


This is my Artful Times entry.
















Here are two more using different colours.


and finally, as the current TOFF Challenge is anything green, here's a little Octopode digi on a green background. 

All ATCs are available for trade, just leave me a message.

And the big reveal is here.....

WARNING!! Picture heavy post coming up!!

Finally finished the 'Aragorn' costume for my son - I was quite pleased with it though personally I wouldn't have chosen these colours for the shirt and cloak but what do I know? I'm sure in the dark at a party it'll look great for the five minutes he keeps it all on. Anyway, so rare I get him to pose for the camera I'm going to be a bore and post lots of piccies.












We haven't got the full effect as he won't have the sword till he gets there (a replica I believe - I hope it's legal to walk about with it), the bow (also coming from a friend) or the Lorien Leaf Brooch which his girlfriend is bringing. He doesis however wearing a replica of the Evenstar. He also made a rather nifty quiver but I forgot to buy the sticks for the arrows (my bad) so there hardly seems any point just carrying that about.



Yes, it is just a sheet but it has been made
 into a proper cape with hood.

Practising his moves for tonight

I don't think Vigo has anything to worry about but
I think he's great!!

Well the sewing machine is away and won't be out again for a while if I have anything to do with it!! Time for some form of papercraft or  inky messing, I have missed my craft room this week, the dining room  is not as cosy!!

I received some stash in the post today as I won a £20 voucher from J & C Creations for this entry in their last challenge. Current challenge is Easter ands runs for about 3 weeks from now.

You can never have too many flower or leaf dies can you?

So now I think I deserve some time to play!!



 

Sorry to use the C Word....

and those of you who can't bear to think about Christmas should look away now. I saw an 'Angel' Challenge on the Delicious Doodles Challenge blog. I have one of Teri's digi angels (although you don't need to use DD images to enter the challenge) , but she's very definitely a Christmassy one  so  decided to go with a seasonal card, it's another one down after all. Not entirely sure about the colour scheme but  think I got away with it .Can't really see the glitter, there is quite a bit. Not quite like my usual Crimbo style but I'm sure I'll think of someone it will suit.

Costume update: Tunic, boots, gauntlets, quiver (!), belt and trousers all sorted. Just need a cloak (that'll be a sheet then) and  to make a shirt. How hard can it be?

woyww #198

I have a different type  of work desk for you today - the dining room table!! LLJ would be proud of me as I have a sewing machine out (I made a cake last night as well - whatever is going on).  No papercraft this week as I am trying to make a costume for my son for a party - he's a LOTR afficianado and wants to go as Aragorn. These LOTR geeks are very fussy though - every time I get bits together I get told - well that would do for Helm's Deep Aragorn but that colour's not right for Rivendell Aragorn.... jeesh, you'd think he'd be happy I said I'd do it at a week's notice!  

I think we have come to a sort of a compromise since he realised I was not about to run up a leather duster coat for him. This is a sort of tunic thingy made from some faux suede - looking OK so far. The blue material is for the undershirt (not too sure about that - it needs sleeves and I don't have a pattern LOL). The braid has just been dyed using distress stains. Eeek, gonna have to get a wriggle on tomorrow night as we have to 'distress' it all before Saturday.

Anyhow, if you are intrigued by the whole What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday phenomenon hop on over to Julia's blog 'Stamping Ground' to discover all. And Maybe Join In.

I'm at work Weds so will be a late visitor but if you let me know you've been I will return the favour.

Tag It On Challenge

Oh dear, haven't done any crafting this week (I don't count making bunny bunting with the kids at work on Saturday!). Since I got back from holiday we have been a bit in limbo as my OH prepared to go volunteeing in Ghana for a month. He arrived there Sunday and I'm only just getting my head round not having hime here - it's doesn't bother me, he worked abroad for years when he was younger but it's been a while since we've been apart for such a long period of time. I'm more concerned about having to deal with the recycling on my own!! (and the kids of course).

Anyhow, not exactly been mojo less but kinda felt I ought to spend some time with him last week so have barely entered my craft room - and now I'm not really in the mood!! So I thought I would try something simple and join in with the current Dragon's Dream Tag It On Challenge, which is green with cogs. Here's my effort, not really quite sure what's going on here but kind of OK.

Right, off to help my friend design her garden (haven't done that for a while but anything for a free lunch) and this evening I have to do some more for my son's 'aragorn' costume. More of that tomorrow!!

Something for a friend...

I noticed a couple more 'friendship' theme challenges that are running and after looking through my stamps decided to go with this one from LOTV.

 

 Remembering my dilemmas of a couple of weeks ago I chose my papers before colouring (Miss Caroline/DolledUp - can't seem to  get away from this pad!) and things went much more smoothly. For a change I made a frame for my image using a Marianne Creatables Flower Doily Die and some nestability circle dies. I couldn't quite decide on a layout so I popped over to Mojo Monday and they had the perfect sketch. I don't think I have ever used this particular sentiment stamp before but thought it sort of went with the image. I had to re-jig the sketch slightly as my card blank wasn't in the same proportion but I think it turned out OK.

Challenges:
Mojo Monday - Sketch 284
J & C Creations February Challenge - International Friendship
Out of a Hat Creations - Challenge 50, Friends and Friendship

Out of the Sunshine, into the freezer......

I was hoping that when I came back from my 'winter sun' break in the Canaries that we might have moved a step or two towards spring in the UK. How wrong can you be!! I even went to turn the heating back on this morning and discovered had already done so half an hour before! My fingers are very chilly as I am typing, need some of those fingerless gloves I think!!



a card for my sister, flat because it had to be posted
(however 8 x 8 cards don't really like going through the slot
in the pillarbox!!)

Well obviously haven't been up to much but thought I'd pop on to say 'hi'.

Here are a few cards I made before I left:

These black and white cards were made using debbi moore's
 Fashion divas's CD and took about 10 mins each - v useful
 when you need to whip something up in a hurry

This is a birdcage I decorated for Mother's Day. I used up some art parts and clearly for art flowers. Would have liked to do a bit more but was a bit strapped for time.


The birdcage laser cut and very sturdy and comes from Anna Marie Designs. I saw it advertised and thought mum would like it, she always goes for birds and birdcages and it's a bit different to a card.
As I made it for Mother's Day I am entering this in to the current creative craft challenges2.

Sorry about all the awful photos, the light was just terrible when I took them.

Oh well that's that for today, keep warm everyone, off for a browse.