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

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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...

 

 

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

Ok...

...who's nicked me mojo???...ugh...I just cant get into the groove...so here are some pic's from my trip out last Sunday...

 

drove up to the Moors...and was surprised that the snow was still about....

 

....It was a lovely sunny day...the best we've had all week!

 

 

 

 

a pile of snow by the road side

 

Signs of spring popping up here...

 

and there...

 

 

the field at the back of the cottage...you can just see my bedroom windows through the trees on the right...

Ollie enjoying his walk...

and this is my cottage...

the one with the grey green door and the flower baskets under the bedroom windows...

 

Ok think that's enough now .....

 

Hope to be back soon...thank you for stopping by

ATCAS - Mask

Hi...I'm back today with my card for this weeks ATCAS challenge which is hosted by our lovely Harriet.  She has chosen great code word for you...

our sponsor this time is

 

Here's my card...

 

I cut an oval mask and used distressed inks for the back ground...the silhouette stamps are by CBS. I finished with a SU sentiment and a few tiny sequins.

 

Thank you for stopping by today I hope you will join us this week.

 

Sorry its short and sweet...I'm running late today....I'll try and catch up later!

 

Happy Crafting

 

 

 

Just a Quickie....

Hi...Just popping on to share another little card with you....I'm off out today and hope to take some pics of what I find in the countryside...lol....anyway here's my card...

 

I used the same die as before for the butterfly and some washi tape.  I thought it had a 'Cath Kidson' look about it....the sentiment is CBS and a few sequins.

 

Catch you later

 

 

Little Bits of Little Ones...

Hello...well its a very cold and damp day here in Snainton...the snow is thawing, not that we had much and its been raining all day...a really grey and yukky day.

 

I spent this morning in the craft room and made a card for this weeks  Less is More Challenge - Little Ones.

 

Of course the first thing comes to mind would be a card for a new baby, but they say you can interpret anyway you want so here's my card....

 

 

I used a Lil'inkers die set - Stitched Butterflies...I cut two from Doodlebug DP's

 and used the swirly 'flight' die from the set too.  I lightly stamped a few 'dots' under the butterfly, the sentiment is from CBS and I finished with sequins. 

 

 So...little butterfly...little sequins....little sentiment....little bits of Little Ones.

 

Happy Crafting !

 

 

 

ATCAS - Hugs & Kisses

Hello...Today we have a new challenge over at Addicted to CAS...my teamie the lovely Deepti  is hosting this week and she has chosen a great code word for you.

 

 

 

Here's my card...

 

I used a MFT 'Love' die and the DP is by Stampin' Up.

We have a great sponsors this week

http://buyscribblesdesigns.blogspot.com.au/

and

http://www.eurekastamps.com/

Why don't you pop over to ATCAS and see what the rest of the DT have created and I hope you will join us this week.

Happy Crafting
Hugs
Jan....xxx
 

 

Memories...

 

Hi...I cant believe its Thursday...where has this week gone...time seems to be flying by....anyway today I have a sweet LOTV to share.....

 

 

The pencils came out for this one...its been a while since I coloured an image like this and I'm definitely a bit rusty.  I wanted to give the impression that's its night time..not sure I managed it.

 

As I was colouring I remembered when I was little I didn't like the moon and my Dad would sit me on the kitchen window sill and we would look at it together...for some reason he called the moon Phoebe  I have no idea why...he would say to me 'look Phoebe's looking at you...say goodnight to Phoebe'....I have to say I was very small so this must be one of my earliest memories.  Its weird what pops into your mind and you suddenly remember these kind of things. Dear Old 'Popski' isn't with us anymore he passed away about 15yrs ago but I think he must have been looking over my shoulder today.

 

Happy Crafting

Jan...xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Miss You....

Hello again....twice in one day!!  I just had to share this little sweetie with you....

 

 

The sweet image is from a Mama Elephant set - I My Heart -I stamped the 'grass' background using a MFT Abstract stamp and used the little grass and flower stamps that come with the set. She is coloured with pencils and cut her out using the coordinating dies.  I finished with a few pearls...

 

Well the weather here is turning wintry as we speak, so it looks like another day in the craft room...shame...lol....

 

Happy Crafting

Jan xxx

A First !

Hi Guys....I'm back today with a 'first'.  I have been drooling over the fab shakers cards that have been appearing around blogland so I had to have a go....

 

I used a sweet Paper Smooches owl....so loving these stamps...just ordered some more!!....the background DP is from a Lili of the Valley pad... I did the usual stuff with frames, 3D tape and acetate and filled with sequins and teeny tiny beads.  I'm quite pleased with it...just  hope I've done it right!!

 

Happy Crafting

xxx

Just a Pop....

Hello...Happy Tuesday!....yesterday I was playing with some watercolours...my first thought was something for the Less is More challenge but I just couldn't pull it together.  This morning I went in to my craft room to tidy up from yesterdays mess  make and the little watercolour flower was 'waving' at me and so I just had to sit down and give it a home...lol..

 

so here is just a little 'POP' of colour.....

The sentiment is from a CBS set and the flower is cut from a MFT die.  Sorry about the dreary pic the light here isn't good today and for some reason the sequins look fluorescent...grrr.

 

Enjoy your day

Happy Crafting!

xxx

Buzzzzzzzzzzz

Hi Guy's hope this finds you well, I've been a little quiet for a few days as I had my sister staying.  We had a great time and had a trip out to the Lili of the Valley shop.  Now I haven't made a 'full on card' for a long time now, but I do like the sweet LOTV images and I did buy some...I also bought some of their paper pads as they are so 'clean a crisp'. 

 

Anyway...I managed to get into the craft room today and here is my card for this weeks Less is More sketch challenge.

 

I used a sweet Paper Smooches stamp set and coloured the Buzzy Bee with Promarkers..I cut him out using the matching die.  I embossed a strip of white card stock with a honeycombe folder and matted that on a piece of yellow Bassill card. I mounted that and the image using 3D pads.  Stamped the sentiment for the set and finished with sprinkles.

 

Right I off to chasing up the plumber...the tiling is done but now need the basin, loo, and shower to be put back!  Thought he was coming today...still no show!..grrrrr

 

Happy Crafting

xxx

CAS -Friends

Hi Guy's....I hope you're keeping nice and warm....well it's very chilly here in my part of Yorkshire...we've had some snow on Sunday and it's still with us...but nothing since though some have been promised for today!

Its a perfect excuse to stay cosy in the craft room so I have a card to share for this weeks Less is More theme challenge - Friends.

 

I used a memory box die 'Prim Poppy' and the back ground die is by Lil'inker Designs.  I cut the poppy from white cardstock and water coloured it.  When dry I covered the petals with glossy accents and then dipped in TH dry rock candy glitter.  I cut a corner off the background die cut and added a little scalloped edge just to add a little colour and stamped a CBS sentiment on the card base behind. I finished with some Doodlebug sprinkles.

 

Do pop over and check out the DT creations...great inspiration.

 

Happy Crafting....xxx

ATCAS - World

 Hello.... Happy Saturday to you...I'm so excited as this is my first card as a member of the fabulous

Addicted to CAS Design Team.

 

It is also the first challenge of the New Year and is being hosted by the lovely Jaydee.

 

Here is the code word she has chosen for you -

 

 

 

and here's my card...

 

I used  a MFT abstract stamp and distress ink for the background and a beautiful Penny Black sentiment stamp.  I chose the colour as it mentions the sky and the ocean and just added a red heart and finished with sequins.

 

I do hope you will come and join us this week.  look forward to seeing your creations.

 

Have Fun!

Happy crafting

Jan...xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh My !

 

 

Thank you ladies, I'm truly, truly thrilled....

 

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

Just to Share....

Hello again, hope this find you all well today.

 

I had a really good day in the craft room yesterday and managed to make a few cards.  It must be the fact I have the builders in and I just hide a way in there. The room should be the dining room but I really don't need one of those as I have a table in the kitchen, and one of the reasons for buying the cottage was that it had this room that I can use as a craft room,  It's just off the sitting room and so I can just shut the door and all the mess stash is out of sight.

 

There is only one downside to the cottage and that is its on a main road with the pavement right at the front door.  Its quite a busy road at certain times of the day but it goes back to being a quiet village after about 6pm and of course very dark. There is practically no light pollution here and I am always amazed on a clear night how many stars there are!!..I have been a townie all my life so I'm easily pleased by these kind of things....lol.

 

The other thing that makes me smile about living here is that very late at night you can hear the Owls.  There is a small holding next door with a couple of barns and I sure they are around there. I yet to see them though. They were in full voice last night...lovely to hear ...but very eerie... the sky was very clear and it was soooo cold and thinking about them inspired this little card.

 

A sweet little Lawn Fawn stamp and die set.  I coloured him with pencils and wanted to give him a nice cosy scarf which matched the colours in the washi tape. I finished with some sprinkles.

 

Well the builders are cracking on so that's good, its a bright but very cold day here and there maybe snow on the way later...but Lily, Ollie and me are very snug, I have a the wood burner roaring away...lovely.

 

 

Happy crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx

 

New Beginnings....

Hi...yes well I know all about new beginnings...moving here to Yorkshire was and still is a new beginning...It was quite a big decision for me but I have to say I haven't had a moment of regret for doing it.  As I said before I am still finding my way here but I'll get there, it just takes a drive through the village in any direction and I am surrounded by beautiful countryside, which really makes my heart sing...it just feels it was meant to be.

Anyway....New Beginnings is this weeks theme for Less is More one layer Challenge....

I used a Mama Elephant stamp set - Rustic Spring.  I coloured the images with Polychromo pencils and stamped the sentiment in Versafine. 

 

Home is where the heart is....it certainly is...

 

Happy Crafting

Hugs

Jan...xxx