Wednesday 19 August 2015

Now for Something Different

Hi guys..today I'm off in a different direction....Yarn and Socks... lol... 

I met a lovely local lady when I attended a craft workshop for needle felting way back last year just after I moved here.  Now Cathy has a blog too here and she posts about all sorts of every day life stuff from cooking to trips out and of course knitting and crocheting. She is a regular participator to a blog called Yarn Along  ran by the lovely Ginny so today I have joined in.
 
 

I'm knitting socks...my major pastime these days..the yarn is my own hand dyed.  The pattern is the most easiest one ever (well my opinion) which I found on Christine's blog here and I have also bought her book.  Christine arranged a 'Sockalon' for sock beginners and she is also arranging a Sock Line for this years Yarndale Show, that's where my socks above will be heading once they're finished. Please pop over to Christine's blog and have a read.
 
Now books...I like light comtempory books with a bit of humour as I'm a soppy soul and couldn't do with reading thrillers etc as they would give me nightmares..lol... so the book I'm reading on my Kindle is The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Coglan...I've only just started it so I'll have to share the plot next time
 
So if any of you out there are knitters I hope I have inspired you to join in....look forward to seeing 'what's on your needles'.
 
Happy Crafting




Monday 27 July 2015

Hi.....

Hi Guys...Yes its been a while...family stuff has been going on and so I haven't really had time to post on here.  My sister had a 'Spinal Stroke' back in June...gave us all a fright...but she has made a great recovery...although its affected her right leg..she has no feeling and has to now walk with a stick.  Unfortunately she cant drive and that is what is troubling her the most, doctors say it could all come right in the end but don't know when that will be....
 
Anyway... I have been crafting a little now...making cards as I have a craft fair lined up in August but it looks like I might have to cancel as I have no car :-(  I broke down last Wednesday on the busy A64 just outside York which is about 30 miles away from home and had to be towed home.  It was a nightmare...looks like the gearbox so could be mega bucks or a new car...grrrrr...So I have to wait till next week to see if I can get back on the road again.
 
I have been doing a bit of knitting too....I am really enjoying making socks...they are a bit tricky but you soon get the hang of them and they knit up quite quick which suits me.  I love using the fab variegated sock yarns... the brighter the better...lol...it keeps me interested in what I'm doing..I have a load in my stash but have been looking at hand painted yarns that are really 'off centre' but they can be pricey...so....I've been looking into dyeing my own......lol...

 
and guess what?...I have found another addiction...lol...well as I'm sort of house bound I have to amuse myself some how...!!!...lol...
I have made quite a few skeins and have put some on my Etsy shop.
 
Well, I hope to be back in a few days to share some cards
Happy Crafting
 
 
 
 

Saturday 9 May 2015

ATCAS - Birds...

Hi Guys...yes its been a while...just been a bit busy lately but finally the builders have finished ...Yay!!...no more building planned so should get back to normal now.

Well today I am hosting this weeks ATCAS challenge and my code word is:
 
Our sponsor this week is
 
 
And we are also holding a DT call.
Would you like to join a fun, exciting and family orientated team? Do you enjoy creating Clean and Simple creations? Then perhaps you should apply!

Requirements to be an ATCAS designer

Join the team for 6 months. Your term will run from July - December 2015 with the option to continue
Have a personal blog to upload your creations to
Host one challenge in that 6 month period by choosing a code word for our followers
Create a Clean and Simple card/tag/layout each fortnight using our code words
Comment on your assigned entries
Have fun!

Sound like you? Please enter this challenge and add DT after your name should you like to apply. The DT call will finish at the end of this challenge.

Ok! here's my card
 
 
 
I just love this set from The Alley Way Stamps.  He is coloured with Promarkers and I added a few dots for interest.
 
Well, have a great weekend, I look forward to seeing your creations.
 
Happy Crafting
 
 


Tuesday 14 April 2015

Split, Splot, Splat....

Hi...Today I have a card for this weeks Less is More One Layer challenge...now we know CAS cards have to have a lot of white space but I think I might have gone a little to far with that thought....

 
I used a SU splat stamp and SSS ink pads - two greys and a raspberry colour which now after seeing it on here, looks like I've injured myself...lol..... The sentiment is by CBS.
 
Happy Crafting
 
 

Monday 13 April 2015

Hello to CAS Colour and Sketches

Hi...I'm back with a card for a challenge that I have just stumbled upon...CAS Colour and Sketches...its sketch week and as the old mojo has been on the wain I thought a bit of inspiration was needed..so...


I had a play with some MFT dies, a bit of spotty DP, and a couple of super shiny sequins... kept it all clean and simple.
 
Why don't you pop over and join in too.
 
I have the builders in again...this time its a new patio...Builders!!!...grrrrr they come late...and leave early..I think I'll be lucky to have it done by Christmas...Poor Ollie is having to negotiate a obstacle course every time he goes out in the garden and I haven't been able to enjoy the lovely sunny weather we've been having.  I'm told it will be worth it...yeah we'll see...lol...
 
Happy Crafting
 
 

Saturday 11 April 2015

ATCAS - DT Card - Showers

Hello...Happy Saturday!...I am sooo late with this...
 
Its time for this weeks ATCAS Challenge and its hosted by our lovely Shana and she has chosen the code word -



 
Very apt for the weather here today...
 
Our sponsor this week is the fabulous
 
 
I just love their stamps
 
Here's my card
 
 
I used a SSS stamp set and coloured with promarkers...just a simple little card as the old mojo has been on his holibobs again!!!!
 
looking forward to seeing your creations
 
Have a great weekend
 
 



Thursday 2 April 2015

Playing with Misti....

Hello...its a lovely sunny day here...and certainly spring like...I have lots of plants to get into the garden this weekend so I hope the weather plays nicely...but its not looking good...we'll see..
 
A little while back I was asked what I would like for my birthday...you know how it is ...you can never think of anything.  I thought of something crafty...maybe a tool or something that I wouldn't want to spend on but if its a present...well that's different...lol.  Anyway while hopping around blogland I spotted a 'Misti' being used layering up stamps.  To be totally honest I didn't pay that much attention to it.. I just thought it seemed a good idea but didn't take in its potential. 
 
Well not really knowing what to have for my birthday, on a whim I asked for a Misti, I didn't think it would happen as they were all out of stock......but I got one!!
 
As I've been under the weather I haven't touched it...until today.  I looked at some videos on You Tube to get a grip of it and that's when I realised what a great piece of kit it is...lol.  I love the stamps that you stamp on top of each other to create a brush stroke effect but I never had any success with them..my lining up was always out and in the end I gave up and the stamps went into a drawer never to see the light of day again...lol...but look.....

 
I used a SU stamp set - Lotus Blossom...I spent a whole Saturday a while back trying to stamp them together without success and I did this using the 'Misti' in minutes.  I love it. So now I wont shy way from buying these kind of stamps (oh no...more stash...lol..)  The sentiment is CBS and I finished with a few clear dots.
 
 I wont say that I couldn't live without one now but it will have a place on my desk so I can use all those stamps I've struggled with.
 
Happy crafting
 
 

Tuesday 31 March 2015

An Apple a Day.....

Hi Guys....I hope this find you all fine and dandy today....Sorry I haven't been around...I haven't felt well these past few days...I think its the shock of having such a big birthday last week....lol... and little Ollie has had a dodgy eye (all better now)...so we are feeling a bit sorry for ourselves.
 
I missed this weeks DT card for ATCAS as I just haven't felt up to crafting...but today I sat at my desk and managed to come up with this....



The weather here is a bit murky today and I wanted to make something simple and bright.  I've had this sweet CBS set for a little while and somehow it just suited what I wanted to make.  The sentiment is CBS too. 
 
 Its funny that its an apple and I'm not feeling too good...its purely by chance I chose to use it...it wasn't till I finished it that I realised....An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away....spooky...lol...
 
Happy Crafting
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Socks!!!

Hi Guys...No card today but I do have Socks!!!....



Yup I finally finished them and I am so chuffed.  I have been wanting to have a go at knitting socks for a long time and I finally found a pattern that I could understand...lol. They were a bit of a fiddle but so worth the effort thanks to a tiny circular knitting needle but you still have to use double ended needles in places but I soon got the hang of it and now I am addicted to lovely colourful stripy yarn that's a available out there.  
 
I had my bestest friend come to stay at the weekend... we got together as she is moving to her house in France soon and we wont be seeing each other every often....I have known her for 40 years...I'm going to miss her so much...anyway...I gave the socks to her and said that when she puts her wellies on to take her dogs out for their walks she will remember me up here in Yorkshire!!!...
 
Oh and its my birthday today....

Lots of lovely flowers and cards from my family.....if you look closely you will see its a BIG birthday...I just cant believe I'm that old when I still feel a teenager...lol.....
 
Well I best go..there's a glass of Cava with my name on waiting for me..
 
Hugs

Monday 16 March 2015

Ummm....

(...Think I might have to do this one again.....)
 
Hi Guy's....today I have a card for this weeks Less is More Challenge. It 'One Layer week and they would like you to feature an animal....
 
Here is my offering....



I made a card from watercolour paper and stamped the sweet Penny Black Pooch in DI  - Tea Dye and then swooshed water around to shade him adding more colour here and there.
 
I didn't realise that the CB sentiment stamp was missing a bit of the 'H' but my thinking is it makes it look more 'hazy' for the 'thought'...what do you think? as I have an urge to do it all over again!!!
 
Oh well...cant get it right all the time...lol....
 
Happy Crafting

Saturday 14 March 2015

ATCAS - Green

Hi Guy's...Happy Saturday!....yes its time for this weeks ATCAS challenge...our host this week is Vicki and she has chosen the code word .....

Our fabulous sponsor this week is
 
 
 
Here's my card...
 
 
 
I use a SSS Flower stamp...I stamped several times on watercolour paper and then white embossed and coloured with watercolours. I used the matching die to cut them out.   I'm so loving this way of colouring and feeds my need of feeling I'm properly painting again...lol...I kept it very clean and simple and finished with a small sentiment and a few sprinkles.
 
I do hope you will join us this week.
 
Happy Crafting



Thursday 5 March 2015

Awwww...

Hi Guy's...look who popped through my letter box this morning....

 
Oh isn't he too cute?...This little guy is from a Avery Elle set of stamps and Dies- Furry Friends...I coloured him and his 'velvet' cushion with Copics and the sentiment is a SSS die.
 
I'll be back tomorrow with some more to share.
 
Have a lovely evening
 
 
 

Wednesday 4 March 2015

Scribbles...

Hi Guys...I've been having a play with some SSS stamps...I have had these for a while and this is their first inking!!! and I am in love.....

 
I mixed it up a bit by using a MFT stamp set with the SSS stamps for this card.  The inks are Stampin' up and the sentiment is from the MFT stamp set.
 
and...
 
 
 
Just used the SSS set for this.... MFT inks and again the sentiment is from the MFT set.
 
You'll be seeing more these stamps I'm sure as I just love the quirkiness of them and they are a dream to use.  Also I have just bought some more 'Scribble' flower stamps from this months MFT new release...!!!
 
Happy Crafting
 
 

Sunday 1 March 2015

Same But Different....

Hi Guy's... I have a couple of cards to share with you today...I guess they are quite quick cards to make as they are based on the same kinda design.
 
I have an obscene amount of 6x6 DP pads...totally addicted to them when a new one comes out I have to have it.  I just received an order of 8 new pads this week and went onto get 5 more ..two of the same one as I loved the designs so....eeek!!!
 
So I thought I had better try and use some up...

 
the DP has a pinky hue to it but hasn't come out in the pic. I used a SSS die and a CBS sentiment

 
A really sweet stamp set from MFT and matching dies...had to use the little cloud...its so sweet.
 

 
A cute little piggy stamp from a Create a Smile Easter set I also used a CBS grass die and sentiment.


I love this pretty patchwork DP...I think it makes a card just by itself.  I finished it with a die cut flower and CBS sentiment.
 
Thanks for stopping by...have a great Sunday!
 
 

Saturday 28 February 2015

Happy...Happy...Happy...

***Warning...long post...sorry...xxx***

Hi Guy's...I not sure that when the ladies over at Less is More had in mind when they choose the theme of 'What Makes You Happy'...it certainly got me thinking this morning as I sat in my craft room..

Well I guess the family and friends stuff is on top of the list...love them all dearly...Not forgetting darling OllieDog and LilyPuss :-)... wouldn't be without them.  My little cottage, very happy that I moved here and count my blessings everyday...

And crafting of course.  I just couldn't function if I didn't do (craft) something. I try and 'craft' everyday. I have always been what the family would call 'arty'.  I can remember when I was little, always drawing, painting and making things out of nothing much.  I have a very strong memory of one Easter, getting an Easter egg that had a bird on the box...don't think it was a chick...but I decided to cut out the bird and make a cage for it from the rest of the box and feeling quite accomplished...much better than just eating the chocolate..well almost.  And of course there was Blue Peter..I was always trying to make whatever Valerie Singleton and her predecessors came up with...lol.

My Aunt taught me Crochet when I was little..but at the time it was a bit old fashioned but...in my twenties there was knitting...oh my word...I always had something on the go...at work at the time nearly everyone in my office 'had' one of my mohair jumpers..lol... I also made a nice chunky jumper for a chap who wanted a 'gardening jumper...lol...and a cricket jumper which turned out a bit big but he loved it!!.  I am currently teaching myself  to knit socks!!  I'll have to show you when I finish.

So I would think its safe to say that crafting is 'what makes me happy'.

Here's my card for the challenge...


Now the question is 'is it CAS enough for the challenge?' All I know is that I was very happy with it when I finished it...lol...
 
Happy Crafting

ATCAS - Distress

Hi Guys its Saturday...Yay!! and its time for another ATCAS challenge.  This week our host is the lovely Kylie and she has chosen .....

 
and our sponsor this week is
 
 
here's my card...
 
 
Well I could think of many ways of using the code word but as it also has to be CAS I kept it simple. I used  MFT stamp set and just dabbed on distress inks on the scribbled flowers. I mounted it on a piece of DP to add a bit of interest/contrast. The sentiment is from the same set and I finished with sprinkles.
 
I do hope you will join us this week...I look forward to seeing you creations.
 
Have a great weekend
 
 
 
 

Thursday 26 February 2015

a Little Birdie Told Me....

Hello...Happy Thursday to you...its been a very changeable day here in my part of the woods..it was very soggy this morning and now we have lovely bright sunshine...looking forward to spring I must say but its a little way off yet I think...

Anyway I have managed a card, (the old mojo isn't what it should be) its for this weeks Less is More Challenge - Things with Wings...

 
 
 
I inlaid a sweet Memory Box bird die and made his wings a bit special by using a heart punch and giving it a slick of wink of Stella...lol...the sentiment is by CBS.
 
Ok I off to cook Ollie his dinner, I kid you not, he's has always been a fussy wuss when it comes to his food but he is driving me crazy at the moment turning his nose up at everything so I bought a doggy cook book and tonight he is having doggy meatloaf...he eats better than I do!!!!...grrrrrr
 
Happy Crafting
 
 

Sunday 22 February 2015

Just A Little Card....Again.....

Hi just popped on to share a little card...

 
I used a CBS stamp and die set and coloured with watercolour paints.
 
I have been sorting my stash of cards and have put some on my Etsy Shop here
 
Have a great sunday
 
Keep warm...
 
 

Thursday 19 February 2015

Just Had to Share...

Hi all...as per my last post...the old mojo had been playing up again...to jump start it I sat at my desk looking at all my stash..I think it could be a case to too much choice so note to self to stop buying...although I am awaiting a parcel of stamps....oops...
 
Anyway, I have tucked away in a box some Paperarty Jofy Stamps that I have been coveting...I love their quirkiness  but haven't really been using them on my cards...I pulled the box from the shelf and had a little brain wave.  Instead of a card I would do a picture/painting. The thought of spending a few days painting little details kind of appealed.  I was just going to stamp away on watercolour paper and then use water colour paints...then I had an idea of white embossing so... set about stamping with versamark and white detail powder....it took a while as I did each stamp separately and had to think about the arrangement.  Unfortunately I didnt take a pic of that but here is the next step....

 
I used several set of stamps for this and as you can see started with the background...I used distressed inks for this and let each layer dry before add the next...
 
 
I really got into it...look at the mess on my desk...lol...


anyway...here it is finished...framed....


as you can see I added a quirky black and white border...
 
I know its all been done before but I am so pleased with it... I just had to share...
 
Thanks for popping by