Last Card....

Hi Guys...yes this just could be my last card for 2014...I haven't done much this week regarding the Christmas preps... I still need to wrap presents....do the food shopping and finish off the decorations...so I cant see me in the craft room for a few days (although I do plan to have a good tidy up and a bit of a change around once I've finished the Christmas chores.).

 

I have made this card for the current Addicted to CAS challenge - Family....

 

I stamped the CBS sentiment onto vellum and heat embossed it with a platinum powder.  I cut a piece of white cardstock to go behind it.  The DP is SU.   The holly is by Waltzing Mouse which I stamped in distressed ink, cut with the matching die and then coloured over it with a DI pen to give a two tone/variegated effect.  I then dabbed it with Glossy accents and dipped in |Tim's Rock Candy glitter to give it a frosted effect. I finished with red dots and pale gold sequins.

 

Do pop over and check out the DT's wonderful creations, great inspiration.

 

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan ...xxx

Doh!!

Hi....its one layer challenge week over at Less is More with a theme of Snow...oh good I thought I can use my new super cute MFT stamp....

 

I coloured him with Promakers I carefully masked him to add his iceberg and north pole sign and just as I was adding the WOS to the snow flakes it dawned on me that he is a Polar bear and not a snowman...Doh!!! so just in case he doesn't qualify....I made this instead...

 

 

 A Hero Arts stamp and some ink (navy blue).  Simple.  I did go over it very carefully with some WOS...but the camera hasn't picked it up.

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan..xxx

Made my Day....

Just had to pop on to say thank you to the Ladies at Less is More...they very kindly showcased my card for their special 200th challenge

 

 

Thank you so much...you've made my day!!

 

Have a great weekend

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Going Dotty...

Hi Guys...yes I feel like that today...lol...I have sat at my desk since 10am this morning and thought I have all this stash...old stash and new stash and waiting to be delivered stash and I didn't know what to make!!!

 

 I'm not sure if Mr Moto is thinking of taking a hike or what, but it just wasn't happening...then after a hop around blogland ..here's my inspiration...Addicted to CAS challenge - Dots....umm I like Dots/Spots......

 

All MFT dies...the flower is called Christmas Rose...I kept it all plain and simple...perfect...well almost..not sure about the sequins.

 

edit:   Oh I forgot to put DT on my entry. Addicted to CAS is having a DT call and it would be lovely to be considered.

 

I'm off to light the wood burner..its getting a bit chilly here now...and we may have snow later tonight!!!

 

Keep warm

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Oooer....

...its blowing a gale here in my part of the world...really quite scary...and its jolly cold...so what better excuse to stay indoors and have a crafty afternoon...lol..

I have been madly making Christmas cards this week..its all crept up on me...I suppose I've been occupied with the builder being here ...well they are gone...for now..(back in the new year...the tiling in the en suite is pants and after some firm but nice dialogue the builder has offered to re do it all again) and I now realise that there is only two weeks to go!!!

I'll share the cards with you later..... but today I have a card for this weeks Less is More colour Challenge...

 

Its hard to describe how I created this... it just sort of made itself if you know what I mean...I used SSS dies - Circle on a Line and Maryanne snowflake.  SSS coloured cardstock and a embossing folder for the falling snow.  The sentiment is by CBS.  I finished with a few sequins.

 

Keep safe and warm..

Happy crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Congratulations !!!....

...to the ladies over at Less is More they are celebrating their 200th challenge...WOW!!!....now that is some going...lol....

Those who have been following my blog, you will know how much my style has change over the years...from my sweet pretty Tilda cards to my CAS cards and it really is all down to the Less is More Challenge.  I just love the crisp clean look of CAS and I try so hard to get it right as my Tilda cards were so fussy.

Here's my card for their Celebration theme this week...

 

I used MFT dies for the flower, leaves and the circle.  I placed a piece of SU glitter card behind so the glitter would show through the dots. I cut the flower from vellum. Used a sparkly brad for the centre of the flower (had to hunt them out as I don't used brads very often)...the sentiment is from CBS and I finished with a twirl of silver thread and a few gems.

 

Do pop over and check out the fab DT cards...great inspiration as usual ...and ladies...here's to the next 200 challenges...thank you.

 

Happy crafting

hugs

Jan...xxx

Oh My....

Hi Happy Friday to you all....its nearly the weekend...yay! mind you one day rolls into another for me at the moment..but the builders have finally finished...not after some major fallouts ( bathroom tiling)which are still not solved...but I had a nice surprise today as .....

thank you so much ladies...its such a thrill and I so need one today...lol....

 

Anyway....here is the end result of the building work...

 

 

 sorry the fire is not lit...

 

 

I cant share a pic of the en suite as it's still not finished and we have a dispute over the naff, shoddy tiling...I'm so disappointed with it..its such a tiny space you would think it they could get it right...we are now into the 4th week of it and I have family coming to stay next week...I'm told it will be sorted by then...shame they didn't do first time round :-(

 

Happy Crafting!!

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Now for Something Different....

Hi..well the builders are still here...thinking of charging them rent.... and it looks like they will be here into next week too...the progress has been very slow and both me and Ollie are a little bit sick of the disruption...I know the end result will be worth it but oh I so wish they would hurry up!!!

Anyway, as my stress levels have been rising I have taken to a bit of knitting, now normally Crochet is my other crafty love but I had to have a go at this little bunny kins...(I have a thing for bunnies)...meet Bob the Bunny....

 

 

 

Isnt he sweet...ok he might look a bit girly with his bow and daisy (crocheted..had to get a bit of that in...lol) but I'm quite pleased with him ...so as this weeks Allsorts challenge is Anything but a Card I thought I would enter him for that...

He was so easy to make I have a feeling that a litter of these bunny kins are on the way...lol...

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Cant See the Wood from the Trees.....

Hi Guys...yes it feels like that today...the builders are still working away here and I have a hole for the fireplace...!!! but hopefully by the end of the week I might just have a new Wood burner...but at the moment I just cant see it...!!

Anyway...I've been holed up in my craft room trying to make a start on some Christmas cards...but not feeling the love at the moment...so I made a card for this weeks Less is More Challenge - More Than One Tree... 

I used a sweet Purple Onion Stamp that I bought last year but it got lost in the post and didn't get here in time for Christmas....just love those quirky trees...I coloured them with a mixture of Copics and pencils. then I trimmed them out placed them on a circle of cardstock which I embossed for a snowy background...I die cut the snow drifts and used 3D pads for dimension. and then gave it all a lick of Wink of Stella...

I'm off now to tidy up the dust sheets...they are done for the day and it will be all go again at 8am tomorrow....cant wait...err..not!!!

Happy crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxxx

Twinkle Twinkle....

Hello...just a quickie today as its all happening here...bathroom is tiled but not grouted yet but just found some dodgy lining up so some tiles are being removed as we speak...and they also started the fireplace.... and the mess...well...I don't really want to look...lol....so I retreated in the craft room for a little while.

 

This weeks challenge over at Less is More is One layer - Starry Starry Night...they want to see stars on your creations.

 

I cut a stencil using a star die and blended over some distress ink - Chipped Sapphire and Salty Ocean...while the stencil was still in place I used a SSS star stencil and pearl embossing paste...then removed them and sprinkled a little glitter over the wet paste.  I stamped the Mama Elephant sentiment in Chipped Sapphire and then stamped teeny tiny stars to finish. Sorry about the murky pic...its a dull old day here today...

 

Bye for now..

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

 

 

And another...

Hi....I'm back with another card for another challenge....this one is for CAS Sunday - One Layer...

I lightly stamped the background using a SU stamp - Gorgeous Grunge with grey ink...and the feather is from CBS - Fancy Feathers which I stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with White..I then blended grey ink over the image...added a stroke or two of Wink of Stella, a twine bow and a few dots.

 

Bye for now

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Allsorts....

Hello again...well its all go here today...I had to cancel my felting class today because of the builders...I'm disappointed but I cant really leave Ollie alone with the builders just in case they leave the door open...I have put him in the kitchen with a safety gate but you just never know, he's not overly impressed with being shut in but he'll get over it...lol...

Anyway...I have a card...this is for this weeks Allsorts challenge - Masculine.  I've been itching to use these MFT stamps and dies for a while...

 

The DP's are Maja's and I finished with some dots.

 

Well better get the kettle on..got to keep the tea following for the builders to keep their strength up!!..lol...

 

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Addicted to Tags....

Hi...happy Wednesday to you all....looking forward to Bonfire night?...not sure whats going on around here as I don't have many neighbours a part from the sheep in the field at the back. oh and we seem to have some cows there now too...I can hear them but cant see them!! 

My next door neighbour (on the other side) gave me some homemade toffee today with the words 'happy bonfire night' not sure its a 'Yorkshire' thing...lol...

Anyway, I been in the craft room today (Yay!) and made this tag for the current Addicted to CAS challenge...

I cut two tags one in grey cardstock and one in vellum.  On the vellum one I used the snow stencil again with Rangers Multi Medium and then sprinkled TH clear rock candy over.  I cut two  snowflakes using a CBS die and glued them to the grey tag then I tied both together with some silver/white twine. I cut the sparkly 'Merry Christmas' using a SSS die and finished with some sequins.

Well my building work is about to start!...so I've been busy putting things away and hunting out the dust sheets as my builder informed me yesterday that while they wait for the bathroom wall/floor tiles to dry they will make a start on the fireplace/wood burner!!!..Ooer!!...while I'm so looking forward to having the work done..I had hoped that I would have just one mess at a time...the mess for the fireplace will be mega...My builder suggested that I go shopping every day for a week!!

I'm having this removed...

...not sure what they will find behind it..I'm hoping for a nice stone wall so we can have a lovely rustic look. The cottage goes back to the 1700's so I think the Victorian fireplace isn't in keeping with the feel of it.  (and its gas) I'll take more pic's as the work proceeds :-)

 

This is the 'Cruck' that the cottage was originally built around. 

Its on the landing.  I'm told its like a 'A' frame and the beams run through the rest of the cottage.  Of course as the cottage was modernised over the years the beams have been more and more covered up but there are still bits of it here and there in most of the rooms.  The kitchen part (extension) was added in the 1900's.  Its now a modern kitchen, but that's what I liked about the cottage..old with new/modern.

This is the current state of the en suite...

there's a shower around the corner...the plumber removed the basin and loo this morning ready for the work tomorrow...again I'll take some pics of the progress :-). Cant wait to get rid of that dull pink!

This is the view from the window....

Can you see the green patch through the trees...that's where the sheep are.. none in shot though.

 

While all this work is going on I'll be banished to the craft room...I'm not complaining....so should be back with some more cards to share later in the week.

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan..xxx

Phew....

...Hi....here I am at last trying to catch up...I had my sister, niece and her kiddies come and stay last week and boy it was a bit of a squeeze, but we managed.  I am still not quite straight yet as I'm waiting for some building work to be done...but allegedly that should happen this week (its been cancelled twice!)

We went out every day, the weather was quite kind to us especially on Friday when we went on the steam train from Pickering to Grosmont, although it wasn't as 'tropical' as the south of England.  It was lovely to see them and I was a little sad as I waved them goodbye on Saturday hopefully we'll get together again at Christmas.

Anyway...I managed to get into the craft room yesterday..I wanted to join in last weeks Less is More Challenge - Newsprint.  I had a idea buzzing around in my head all week but didn't get time to make.  I know the challenge has ended now but here's my card anyway.

 

I stamped a piece of white card with a Hero Arts Newsprint stamp and cut a Magnolia flower using a MFT die.  The frame is another MFT die and the sentiment is from a Clearly Besotted set.

and here is my card for this weeks Less is More challenge - Non Traditional Christmas colours.

Again I used a Clearly Besotted stamp and die set - Joy to the World. I embossed the Kraft cardstock using a snow stencil and embossing paste and finished with a piece of twine.

I have another felting class booked on Thursday so I hope to have a felted Poppy to share with you later in the week...in the meantime....

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan xxx

Creature Comforts...

Hello Happy Sunday to you all...I hope the weather is being kind to you.

Well I've been the craft room again and it feels so good to be making again,  I am still trying to get used to the new room though as I had to try and fit in all my Ikea shelves into a smaller space. I have found stash that I've forgotten about and stash I don't use much but might one day...you know how it is...lol...and there is new stash that I'm eager to play with and don't know what to use first...lol....I just have to get organised better.

Anyway I have made a card for this weeks Less is More Challenge - Little Creatures and I found this  Purple Onion Little creature when unpacking that I had forgotten...how could I?  he is so cute...

 

Don't you just love that little hat!!....I coloured him with Copics and the DP's are from a Teresa Collins pad.  I gave his hat a fluffy pompom and finished with a few sequins. The sentiment is from a Lawn Fawn set.

 

I'm going to try and make a start on some Christmas cards today...I'm behind with those and have some new stamp sets waving at me...lol...

 

Have a great day

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

 

 

A Jolly Hello....

Hi Guys...yes I'm feeling quite jolly today...well quite chuffed really as the lovely ladies over at Less is More challenge very kindly showcased my card for their Autumn Bounty challenge.

Thank you so much....especially as its been a while since I made a card due to moving and all that :-)

 

Anyway I know I'm a bit late with this but I have managed to make a card for the current challenge One Layer Card with Two of Something
 

 

Arent they the cutest little reindeer's...I used  MFT stamp set Christmas Cuteness which arrived just today.  I coloured with pencils and just finished with sequins (not so sure about them).

 

I am still finding my way here...but am so enjoying my adventure, having to get used to the fact that the shops I were used to are not on my door step anymore but that is part of village life so there will be a lot of online shopping I think.  I found my nearest Hobby Craft store but still have to find a nice local craft shop.

 

The felting class I did the other week was really good, we made

 

a sweet little robin and I have booked another class in November to make a felt Poppy...looking forward to that.

 

I've taken some pics....here's one of my desk in my craft room...I've just about got it how I want it now...

 

You can just see the little Robin

Here is my back garden...or back yard as they call it here....we have lovely stone walls all around..

 

We have access to next door for deliveries or putting the bins out

 

Ollie having a sniff around...

I bought some pots last week to cheer up the gravel patio... there is a lot to do in the garden but that will have to wait till the spring...

 

a view from my kitchen window

and I couldn't resist taking a pic of the moss growing on the stone wall...

 

so pretty....

 

I have found a lovely farm shop just up the road that sell all lovely local produce including home produced meat etc., I will try to buy from there each week...but I have dusted off mums old bread maker and decided to make my own bread...OK so I'm cheating a little...

 

 

I am no Mary Berry but hope to make more of an effort to bake and it does makes the cottage smell lovely...lol...

 

Here's todays loaf...

 

Still warm....mmmmmm...

 

Now you probably noticed that Bailey is missing from my news...well after considering that the  cottage is on a main road albeit a village main road and as he was still only a puppy I thought it would be best for him to live with my sister.  She was only too happy to have him and  he has settled in very well (don't think he noticed too much really) and he keeps her company. I still 'see ' him as we 'facetime' most days and its great to watch him grow.

 

I am really going to try to remember to take my camera with me when I walk Ollie so I can share more of my new village with you.

 

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm Here.....

Hello...yes its been awhile ...I'm just about unpacked...just a couple of boxes to go...awaiting furniture...and a little bit of work to be done...including installation of a wood burner...but the cottage is feeling almost like home...I'm so pleased to be here.  I've been out and about getting to know where things are (thanks to the SatNav!) and finding local shops etc.,..its such an adventure..I cant wait to settle into village life.  I've already found a very local crafting centre that do classes and booked myself into a needle felting one on Thursday.  I thought it would help me to meet up with the local ladies...I'll let you know how I get on..

My craft room is just about how I want it ...so I have been having a play and made a card for this weeks Less is More  Colour Challenge...Autumns Bounty....

 

Sorry about the pic but its a dull old day here....anyway..I had a play with some distressed inks and then cut out the leaves with a new MFT die 'Falling Leaves' and arranges them on a tag cut from a piece of BoBunny DP...the twiggy bit is a Memory Box die that I trimmed and I finished with some  pearl 'berries'.. I frosted the edges of the leaves with a bit of Wink of Stella but the camera hasn't picked that up.

 

I hope all is well with you...and I hope to be back to share some more cards later in the week.

 

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Packed and Ready to Go...

...well nearly...

 

 My new big adventure starts on Friday!!  the Removal people are coming on Thursday to load up and then they will start off early Friday morning.  I'll be off early Friday too, my sister is giving me a hand so we will be driving up to North Yorkshire in convoy...lol...hoping to get there just after lunch when I can pick up the keys to my new (old) cottage.

 

Packing up has been such hard work and for the past two days I really have had enough...think I'll sleep for a week when I get there and then the fun (not) of unpacking will start.

 

So looking forward to my new start and once I'm back online I hope to post some pictures of the cottage and my new surroundings.

 

I cant believe I'm finally moving!!

 

See you soon

 

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Grrr....

Hi...how are you all...enjoying the weather?...its been a bit too hot for me... making packing a real chore.  I been hopping around blogland checking what you all are up to and after seeing all your beautiful creations my fingers are itching to get inky again but my craft room is half way through being packed up so I cant join in.....grrrrr....

 

The house move seems to have slowed a bit and thanks to holidays it looks I might not be in my cottage till the beginning of Sept.  I know its only a month or so..but I'm fed up with boxes here and there and clearing out the junk...its amazing what you don't throw away 'just in case'... I'm on first names terms with the guys down at my local refuse tip!!!...lol...

 

Anyway... to make sure I'm ready to start making as soon as I can I've been stash buying...well it does satisfy the craft cravings...lol....I spent a bit over at Simon Says Stamp and |I get their monthly card kit...and they are piling up nicely ready to play.  I've also been visiting Clearly Besotted and also bought some clever die and stamp storage by Zutter.  I cant wait to get my new craft room sorted out and get creating again.

 

Well hope you all have a great weekend,I'm off to pack yet another box or two.

Have fun!

Hugs

Jan...xxx

LOST: Mojo

...if found please return to.....Yes the old mojo has up'd and went...its been a while now that's why I haven't posted for a long time.  Thought I'd have a break from blogland  then I had the request from Paperartsy and I dug really deep for that but I have to say I loved making that card...but even that didn't get it going again. 

 

There's a lot going here at the moment...I am moving house. I'm not just moving around the corner I'm off to North Yorkshire!  Its a bit of a life changing move as I'm moving away from my family but as I keep saying to them I'm not going to Australia..I'll only be 4-5 hours away!! I have found a sweet little Grade II listed Cottage in a village just off the moors. 

 

As some of you know I had looked after my Mum for a while before she went into the nursing home and since she died last year apart from dealing with the probate and all the other stuff that goes with that I have been meandering along...Mum had left me the house  in her will and to me it will always be her house so I thought I should now move on. I did look around Surrey near my sister but I couldn't really afford the prices and I didn't want to live in a flat (would be a bit tricky with Ollie and Bailey and not forgetting Lily) so I looked further a field.  I'm really looking forward to it!

 

but what I'm not looking forward to is the packing up..especially my craft room!! Luckily I will have a spare room in the cottage for a craft room but I have so much stash..you just don't realise just how much until you start!!

 

So its going to be a bit quiet on here for a few weeks but I'll be back hopefully full of inspiration from my new home.

 

Before I go let me share a pic of my darling Bailey he has grown so much...still a little tinker but oh so loveable...

 

 

See you soon

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Hello There....

Hi Guy's...yes its been a while since I last blog...so much to tell you but that will have to wait for now.  But the one thing that I can share with you today is that I have been asked by the lovely people at Paperartsy to join them this month so I made a card using some of their amazing paints and JOFY stamps.  Here is a sneaky peak

 

You can see the  full creation over on their blog here.  I do hope you will pop over and check it out

I'll be back in a day or two with news.

Happy Crafting!

Jan

Makes Me Smile....

Hi...Happy Wednesday to you all...hope this finds you all well. Today I have a card for this weeks Less is More Challenge which is a theme - 'Makes me Smile' the lovely ladies wants to see something that makes you smile.  It could be something cute, pretty, humorous, or merely a technique which satisfies you and makes you pleased with your finished article.....Well here's my card...

 

I used a sweet Clearly Besotted Stamp set - Furry Friends.  I bought the set as its so like Bailey...and this morning he not only made me smile but laugh out loud too!!...

 

look... here's my inspiration!!!

 

He's been digging in the garden....

 

Ok so I'm off to find the hole!!

 

Happy crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Yay!!....

...a card at last...lol.  Hi guys yes I have finally felt the need to get into the craft room and have a play.  Bailey is tucked up having a snooze..so is Ollie...(he is still not feeling the love :-( ) so I had a little hop around and of course I couldn't resist this weeks Less is More Challenge - One Layer - Shadow.  Here's my card....

 

I uses MFT Abstract Art Stamps and believe or not the ink is SU Wisteria which is a dark purple but the pic is showing shades of grey!!!  I finished with a CBS sentiment and a few dots.

 

 

oOo

 

Now while I was having a little mooch around I saw that LIM have a DT call so while \I was on a roll I made a couple of cards based on their last couple of challenges that I missed.

 

 

Round and Round (ok maybe dots and dots..lol..)

 

I used a MFT die's and a few more enamel dots.

 

 

a Touch of Turquoise

 

I used MFT dies again - Lily - Stitch Tags  and  MFT stencil Trendy flowers.

 

 I have had some of my cards 'Showcased' which I was thrilled about so to be considered for the DT would be wonderful and would really push me to perfect CAS !

 

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

 

 

 

 

 

Hello....

...Just popped by to share a pic of Bailey...its been hard work but he is so cute and cuddly its worth it.  We are going to Puppy training classes which is something I didn't do with Ollie (which explains a lot..lol..) and he has so much fun meeting all the other puppies and he learns so quickly!  Ollie is still making up his mind if he likes his new 'brother' he doesn't like him getting too close to him..but its getting better.

I hope to be back soon with some cards...once Mr Mojo has reappeared...lol...

Here's the boy

 

see you soon

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Less is More and...a Little Bundle of Trouble...

Hi...at last a nice bit of sunshine..yay!!!..and as all the daffodils are out they have inspired me to take part in this weeks Less is More Colour Challenge - Green and Yellow.

I used MFT Abstract Art Stamps and Memento ink.  The flower is a MFT die and its sitting on a Clearly Besotted die.  I finished with a SSS 'Thanks' Die and a few sequins.

And here is the bundle of trouble.....He is a bit camera shy....but I hope to get some better pics at the weekend.

Ollie has been a star...they haven't been properly introduced yet but they have sniffed through the puppy pen bars...I have a Dog Behaviourist coming on Saturday for a bit of one to one with them and she will give me some pointers on how we get them together.

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Distraction...

Hi all...sorry I haven't been around much....I have been busy with a new addition...

Meet Bailey...he is a Cockerpoo... totally adorable. ..and totally time consuming...its like having a baby in the house...nothing is getting done let alone card making.  Ollie is a little unsure of him so I having to share time between the two of them until Ollie gets the idea of a little playmate...also this little darling is not getting the idea between night and day and I have seen very many small hours of the day lately..lol...but he's getting better although he thinks 3am is time to have a game.  He just had his first Jab and is being quite good in the house training dept  its been fun taking him out in the garden in my pj's in the small hours...er not!!!

I will post better pics soon.

 

Hugs

Jan...xx

A Few to Share...

Happy Monday!!!....just a quick post to share some cards I have made using some of the fab new releases from Clearly Besotted Stamps....

Two made using the gorgeous 'Dandelion Dreams'

 

 

A sweet Baby card using the 'Special Delivery' set

 

 

and here's one I made with a new MFT die I got this week from Die to Die For

 

 

Just plain and simple with a few clear sequins and gems I thought it would be great for a Wedding card.

 

Ok..I'm off to crochet 'chicks' for Twiggy Trees....

Have a lovely day

Hugs

Jan...xxx