HAPPY NEW YEAR

to you all and wishing you all good health and happiness in 2011!

As many of you are aware 2010 hasn't been the best of years for our household! with sickness, accidents and general misfortune playing a big part of it.  I've been racking my brains to think of some lovely times and have found a few - in May attending the Artsycrafts weekend with Ang - that was a fab weekend and learnt so much and got to play with so many different things that event started my big adventure with viva decor products!! also, on Monday a dear friend got married - someone who has really been an inspiration to me and whose sense of always feeling grateful for small mercies really brings me back down to earth!!  Also, spending days cropping (well I don't crop do I!) with my friends, having a laugh, sharing a woe or two, enjoying their company - a real pleasure.  I have been lucky to teach at papermaze and crafts and candlelight - I really enjoy emparting my knowledge, however limited, and seeing others "just go for it" and expand their confidence to try new things.

So, amongst the rubbish some nice things to focus on.

Unfortunately, there is some sad news to impart as we leave 2010 and start on 2011 - I have decided to close down SCD.  I would like to Thank the dt - past and present, Guest designers and everyone who played along - especially those that joined us at day 1 and still participate today.  I would also like to thank all those that sponsored us for our 1st birthday - there was some gorgeous candy generously donated - a BIG Thank You for that.  Also, to those that participated in the swaps - I was very lucky to see all of the swaps entered and there were some gorgeous ones - so, Thank You very much for those.  Your continued support really made a difference - so Thank You to each and everyone of you.

No crafting pieces today - but, good wishes to you all for a Very Happy New Year and wish you and all your families a healthy and happy 2011...xx

A week to go...

til Christmas Eve - are you all excited???

I'm still not ready, but, I'm sure that everyone will understand!!! lol

This week sees the last of the SCD challenges/themes in its present format.  We are going to be taking a break now until the New Year when  we return the challenges/themes are going to be set fortnightly, so that will hopefully give more people the chance to take part and also give people time to dedicate to their pieces too! We are also going to be welcoming some new DT members...so....something to look forward to in the New Year!

So, this week, it was my turn to choose the theme for the last tag and I've chosen:-

"Happy Christmas"

Well, what else?

Here's my tag:-

a T!m sized tag which was run thro the bug with an embossing folder, this was then covered with di's...the noel was stamped and embossed with clear ink and then distress inks swiped over.  the trees are an old sizzix die, knew they'd come in useful again!! cut  out of grungepaper and distressed with picket fence stickles added....pears and bling and another set of beaded pins with tree charm finish it all off!!

I do hope that you pop on over to the scd blog and see what the others have created and perhaps be inspired to join us...

TFL xx

FAB blog candy

take a look at this fab lot - its being offered as blog candy by the generous Lin Brown - pop on over to her blog for a chance of winning...

its Friday!!!!!

Well this week didn't pan out as expected.....OH couldn't have his op as he's too poorly, fingers crossed he'll be able to have it next week.  We're a week closer to Christmas and for the first time in many a year, lost count, I've had to go and buy Christmas cards....I'm late doing everything and Christmas shopping, food and presents, hasn't even crossed my mind!! if things don't go to plan on Tuesday chances are OH will be in hospital on Christmas day so it might just be baked beans on toast for lunch!! so just as well I haven't bought anything in!! roflxx

anyway, its tag day again over at SCD and this week its Laura's turn to choose the theme and she's chosen:-

Christmas Characters...

anyone that knows me know that I just worship Tim Holtz and so here's my one and only contribution to his 12 day of tags this year:-

ok, so I had to improvise on some bits...the "facet" was off my daughters handbag charm that she chucked away and it glistened at me from the bin...its been on my desk since the summer waiting for a special moment! it didn't quite go to plan but its very pretty, the photograph hasn't picked it up very well.  I didn't have any of T!m's pearls either, so I got some head pins and beaded on little white and turquoise beads and some clear beads and made my own!! obviously didn't have the roll of pearls or bling so that was a bit of pearl ribbon and some lines of bling....I did, however, have his paper, pin and "wish" ticket!! roflxx the little snowflakes in the corner are from Tando creative....

so, thats my take on this weeks SCD piece - do pop on over to the blog and see what the others have created - there are some gorgeous pieces there...

Have a good weekend xx

Friday 3rd December 2010

Morning!another Friday and the end of another dire week which saw my Husband admitted to hospital! at least he's closer to home! which is helpful, especially in this awful weather we're having.

I was clearing my desk ready to take a picture of my SCD piece when I realised that I'd totally missed my Vanilla Sugar date....so, here is my vanilla sugar piece

The triangles are maya road little triangles which were covered with basic grey paper and then adhered to another triangle - a bit of inka gold in red and a charm finished it all off!.

So, SCD day and the start of another month...this month, so that you can still play and get some of those last minute Christmas bits done, the Challenge for the month is:-

TAGS

this week its Sioux's turn to choose the theme and she's chosen

TREES

so, here's my tag:-

the tag was coloured using distress inks and then stamped with a inkadinkadoo christmas stamp - the tree is a tim holtz sticker and the little tag at the bottom a tim stamp...the holly is also another tim stamp, a rather old one and a little tree charm finishes it all off.

Pop on over to the SCD blog and see what the dt have created this week - there are some fab examples there.

Hope you all have a good week and stay safe in this awful weather.

TFL xx

late again....

and no proper excuse this week either....had the idea to do this....

 with this inside

for this weeks SCD theme of SNOW which was chosen by Dawn...but, it took much longer than expected and also the photographing of it didn't go too well either, the camera seems to only want to focus on one side perhaps its something to do with the glass?

Anyway, its a Christmas SNOW Theme mail slider....painted with various metallic acryllic paints with rub ons and cricut cut snowflakes which were coated with glimmer mists (yep, coated!) and then robins nests inserted into the middle.  A snowman image was stamped and coloured with glitter added and then attached to the glass slider.  The front of the slider has a Tim image and bling....

Pop on over to SCD and see what the others have come up with - there are definately some gorgeous pieces there to oggle at!

TFL xx

Friday 19th November 2010

Grief another week just flown past and someone told me the other day its 40 days to Christmas (well thats going to be less now isn't it!!) and guess what, still no cards started here - one year I will learn and get started early! BF do a 25 challenge each month and a theme is set so that Christmas cards can be made all year around - I think I managed to complete one!! not going to get me very far is it??? lolx

So, this week - another eventful one in this household - and just for a change another family member was admitted to hospital - I'm sure they are going to nick-name a ward after us after the amount of time we've spent there this year!!

So, as its Friday, its SCD day....its my turn to choose the theme this week and I've chosen

"Numbers"

This month you can make whatever you like as long as it ties in with the theme...so, this week (as I've made all the cards now) I've made an ATC...

I like to use chipboard or very thick cardstock for my atc's and this one is no exception - the chipboard was white based and so I added the distress inks directly to the top - stamped in black ink various number stamps and added a fragment over one of them to hi-light.....

Would anyone like to do a trade with me on this one?

As its a free month the DT have come up with some gorgeous pieces...do pop along to the scd blog and take a look we'd love it if you joined in too....

Have a good week.

TFL xx

Scrapping moi?

Ok so we all know I don't scrap - have tried it, its the size - its far too big!!!!!!!!!!!! how do you fill those big spaces? anyway, when Di from Tando sent me some gorgeous music pieces I knew what I had to do...

tadada.............. ok so not perfect....white bazzil with a scribble around the edges.  The "music", notes and stave were al coated with viva decor glossy pen.  The guitars, which, funnily enough are the same shapes as Josh's accoustic and electric guitars and so coloured accordingly...were coloured using distress ink then coated with stickles rock candy - bad move! coz, the only way to stick the wires down, which act as strings, was with glossy accents, but, the glossy accents wouldn't stick onto the stickles, boy were my fingers a mess! anyway, perserverance is my name! and it stuck, eventually.  The ridge and circle are off my OH's new jumper!! lol (not literally you understand as I'm still breathing, but, were spares attached to the tag...well, we have to use whats at hand don't we!! lolxx)  The picture was taken Christmas day 2007 before Josh became ill...and his Christmas Present that day??????????????? don't think you'll need more than one guess hey?

TFL xx

12th November 2010

I'd like to Thank some very special people this week, and you know who you are, some very special friends who have been in touch with me all week and being so very supportive and one "blast from the past" which was very nice to hear from after all this time.  I really appreciate all your support, care and kind words ....my brother is doing really well and is now at home - its going to be a long journey for him to be physically and mentally well again, but, with the support of us all he'll get there.

With it being Friday its SCD day....and this week the lovely Gez has chosen the theme of "Wings" ....I'm still trying to catch up on those cards...think some of my friends will be really upset with a bought one!!! lolxx

so, this is my wings effort:-

I'm not sure where the backing paper comes from.....the stamp is from Cherry Pie and I just love her, she's so easy to colour and get great definition and depth....bit of bling finished it all off!!

Have a good weekend whatever you're up to...

TFL xx

and...

we go thro' life, ambling along and WHALLOP something comes along to shake us to the core, makes us sit up and take stock of what its all about.

On Wednesday my dear brother was involved in a serious car accident.  He's been seriously ill in hospital, and for all the NHS faults they've looked after him really well.   They managed to stabilise him and he had his op Friday, so, hopefully, we'll now start the long and painful road to recovery, in whatever form that may leave/take us.

It really does make you realise how petty small squabbles are, how irrelevant some things are to our well being - I must say its really made me think about a few things in my life!!

So, I missed SCD day, but, here it is, better late than never hey?


As its a new month its also a new challenge - and as so many people liked the free rein last month,  and as we're on the run up to christmas we decided to leave it as that, but, this time the challenge will be the theme for a piece...so, this week its Laura's turn to choose and she's chosen the theme "HOUSES"

Here's my house:-

The base is a blank wooden key box which was painted, had inka gold, paint, tissue tape, ferro, mica powders, you name it all thrown at it.  The inside was lined with graphics 45 steampunk paper, the the embellishments on the roof are tando cogs, tim holtz idea-ology pieces and some lovely little charms which I added images too.....

Do pop on over and have a look at the other gorgeous pieces the dt have made - and hopefully you'll be able to join us this week.

xx

just wanted to share...

look at these adorable babies...

aren't they just gorgeous - these are two of my foster "babies", we had these two, Jake and Indie, the first weekend and then Sampson and Lexa the second, unfortunately, Ty our Wei is a wuss and the second weekend he spent most of sunday cowering upstairs!! lol   Unfortunately, 7 of these little mites were taken into the care of the kennels where my DD is currently working.  Their poor owner lost his home and they had to go.....two of them now have loving homes but 5 are still looking for some love in their lives...if anyone can offer a good and loving home please get in touch.


On a crafty note....here is a canvas that will be my next class at Crafts and Candlelight on the 24th Nov 2010.  As far as I know there are 4 spaces left...please contact the shop if you're interested.

 

All the chipboard used is by Tando Creative - they have some gorgeous Christmas pieces available visit their blog for a list of stockists.

TFL xx

Friday 29th October 2010

ohh Hallowe'en on Sunday then - bet those pesky trick or treaters will be knocking on the door - better make sure this sugar free house (as we're all on diets, apart from my son!!) has some goodies to stop the nasty tricks!! amazing how quickly this "Trick or Treating" has got so popular in this country!

Over at SCD this month we've been having a free for all and its been great to see all the many different creations - cards, bookmarks, twinchies, atc's this week is our last colour theme and it's Sioux turn to choose and she's chosen:-

"Blue and Claret""

This is my piece:-

I've loads of birthdays in November and so with a free rein this month its been great to be able to make some of the cards I need - so, another card!! The image is by Joanne Capper-Sandon and has been coloured using water colour pencils and hi-lighted with white pen.  Prima flowers, stickles, and leaves punched with a Martha Stewart punch finish it all off.

I must apologise to people I didn't get round to this week - I'm having a few problems with my pc, believe some spy ware might be "clogging" up my net! hopefully I'll be back and able to look at you all next week!

Have a Happy Hallowe'en bloggers

TFL xx

ps that nasty piece of spyware I mentioned when I typed my post earlier in the week took hold on Thursday! fortunately my OH managed to sort it out and so now I'm back up and running - thing is, now its sorted I can upload my images from firefox!!! pc's hey? - so, I'm late in posting this week's SCD piece - sorry!

Friday again?

I seem to be rushing along on a train - all days are blurring into one and I honestly don't know where time is going....all of a sudden nights are drawing in, its flippin cold, frost on the car in the morning, and one person, who shall remain nameless, is counting down to Christmas????????? 

So, with Friday, the eve of another weekend and also another colour theme over at SCD.  This week's theme has been chosen by Ang, who has recently gone back to Uni which is why we haven't seen her for a while.  Her choice is:-

Green and Yellow

and here is my offering:-

I'm catching up with Birthday cards - so here is another card......the base was from an old kit, the stamp is by Sugarpea, the flowers are prima, swirl by maya road and the pins out of my stash.


Looking forward to seeing what creations our players come up with this week.

TFL xx

Friday 15th October 2010

What another Friday? really don't know where these weeks are going....before we know it its going to be Christmas...and will I be ready? very much doubt it!! lolxx

I have a bit of a gripe this week - with these new changes to blogger I can't upload any pictures thro' my usual "firefox" thing!! I now have to go onto internet explorer and then I don't have any problems at all! why is that? OH reckons that firefox needed updating - which I did - does it work? NO! I've tried and tried and to be honest get slightly fustrated with it all - so now via internet explorer is my post!! lol

Of course, as its Friday, its SCD day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and this week its Dawn's turn to choose the colour theme - don't forget its free for all with regard to what you make, it just has to fit in with the colours chosen....

so, Dawn has chosen:-              Orange and Black

Here is my piece:-

the base is a journalling block from Tando Creative - this was painted with trad tan acryllic paint and then using a mask I stippled the orange Dylusions paint.  The black curly corner is another piece from tando creative and this time it has been painted using viva decor gloss paint....the image is from graphics 45 and the cog another piece of Tando Creative chippie - the saying is from a stamp set by my hero Sir Tim xx

Pop on over to the SCD blog and see what the other dt'ers have come up with, there are some gorgeous pieces there, and hopefully some of you will join in....

Have a good weekend.

TFL xx

Friday 9th October 2010

Well, Friday again.....another birthday in the house yesterday, Sian this time, 20! where'd that time go? can't stop thinking back all those years ago! frightening really!

Anyway, with Friday comes SCD day! and this week its my turn to choose the colour combo - don't forget its free rein month and you can make whatever you'd like - guess what - I'm catching up on birthday cards!! roflxx

So, this week I've chosen "Purple and Green"

ok so not your usual colour combo from me, but, whilst playing around a couple of weeks ago I discovered this colour combo and really liked it, so have a go and see if you like it too...

Here's my piece (guess who's card it was!! roflxx)

The base was text which was coloured using DI's, the image is a stampotique one from the Joanne Capper-Sandon range and was stamped and coloured in using water colour pencils then cut out with a nestie and then next size up used as a mat - grungepaper butterflies with beaded bodies, flowers and pins finished it off!!

Also,

Here is a picture of another frame - these frames from Tando are FAB give them a go, and they come in loads of different sizes:-

This one is for my class at Crafts and Candlelight.....the class is being held on 20th and 27th October - we need two sessions to get all the elements made.....please ring Dianne to book a place.

Don't forget to pop along to the SCD blog and see what the others have come up with.

TFL xx

First Friday of the Month

Which means that its another SCD new challenge and a new theme....this month we're trying something different!! lol we are going to be setting colour challenges and you can make anything you like, so tags, inchies, twinchies, arches, layouts, cards....whatever takes your fancy.


This week its Gez's turn to choose and she has chosen:--

Autumn Colours - so, oranges, red, gold, browns....you know the sort of thing..

So, here's my offering...

As usual, the base is the normal white card stock, which was coloured using DI's then stamped with a crackle stamp in brown ink -  black scrolls were stamped in the corners and then the edges "roughed" using scissors and then a swipe of brown ink.   The image was stamped and then coloured in using DI's and hi-lights added with glossy accents before being cut out with a nestie.  prima flower, bling and some pins finish it all off!! 

Do pop on over to the SCD blog and see what the others have created there are some gorgeous pieces there - really hope you'll join us.

Also,

As its the first of the month, boy, October already - its Vanilla Sugar day....and this month its to make/decorate a canvas....here's my piece:-

 
The base was painted black and then using a Tim Holtz mask I used inka gold to add texture to the base.  The image is from Graphics 45 steampunk pad, the cogs are from Tando Creative and have been painted and then brushed with transparent viva decor crocco paint...some watch faces, metal dragonfly and metal corners were added to the piece.  The edges have been trimmed with Tim Holtz tissue tape.  Do pop on over to Vanilla Sugar and see what the others have created.
 
Have a good weekend and TFL xx

Friday 24th September 2010

Well the days are rushing into weeks and before we know it Christmas will be here!! I really don't know where this year has gone, so many changes....

This week has been quite eventful with trips to the hospital and work and this and that!!

On Wednesday night I took a class of 11 ladies at Crafts And Candlelight (got it right this time Diane!! lol) hopefully the ladies had a fab night and took away some lovely boxes....

This week is the last week of Arches over at SCD - and Laura has chosen the theme this week which is:-

"Birds"

Here is my Arch:-

The usual white card to start off with coloured with di's and then stamped with various stamps....a bit of doodling and hi-lights from a glimmer pen....

I really hope that some of you will pop along to the SCD blog and join us...don't forget with next week being the first Friday of the month it will be a new theme!!!

To those going to Ally Pally have a fab time! I'm not going this year - I have a date to prepare for in Feb!! lol

TFL xx

Friday 17th September 2010

WOW what a week! it was Steves Birthday and our Wedding Anniversary so we both took a couple of days off work!! which was lovely!

This week also saw the sale of Tim Holtz tickets for his workshop in Newport Pagnell in February 2011 - well, couldn't let that pass by without trying to be part of it could I? my hero teaching on these shores!! well, I managed to butter up Steve and Christmas came early with my ticket - so, we'll be off to learn amazing things with the creator of all things distressed!!

So, its Friday again, and its another SCD day....hopefully a few more SCD'ers will join us this week and make some arches - this week its Sioux's first theme choice and she's chosen:-

"Stars"

so here is my arch:-

the photograph is seriously lacking as there wasn't alot of light about - will try and take a better one this weekend.

The base is the usual white card which has been coloured using DI's the background was a star stamp with other star stamps used in the corners, all stamped with di's - the main stars are grungeboard shapes coloured with di's and coated with rangers' Matt accents and then hi-lighted with white pen!

Do pop on over to the SCD blog and see the what the others have come up with - and hopefully some of you will join us this week.

Also, this week, I'm teaching a class at "Crafts By Candlelight" on Bramford Road in Ipswich - the class is on Wednesday starting at 6.30pm - we will be making a sectional pizza box measuring 4" x 4" - and then creating background papers using di's and collage stamping and hi-lighting and our own embellishments to finish it all off. If you're interested please contact Diane at Crafts by Candlelight....

Have a good weekend.

TFL xx

Friday 10th September 2010

Another Friday, on the brink of another weekend and oh boy am I looking forward to that!! lolxx

Over at SCD this week we are continuing with the ARCHES theme, these can be any size and shape so lots of variation available there! Its Ang's turn to choose the theme this week and she has chosen The 1950's...

Here's my effort:-

1950's hey...um kitch or elegant?? or what is there in the stamp drawer ( I only have one you know!! Suzy I can hear youuuuuuu!!!!! rofl) anyway I decided to go for elegant and used this stamp from Stamps Happen - I then cut out a mask and inked using DI's over and then stamped a Cherry Pie crackle stamp over in distress ink......the little border at the bottom is from a set of prima stamps....the mask was then removed and the image coloured in using water colour pencils....a bit of stickles added a bit of bling and finshed off the piece - not sure how 1950's this is, but, its my arch!! lol

Pop on over to the SCD blog and see what the rest of the DT have come up with - there's some gorgeous pieces there - I really hope some of you will join us this week...xx

Hope you're all having a good week - have a great weekend

TFL xx

Friday 3rd September 2010

Another month gone - another week gone - and the end of my holiday! reflecting back on the two weeks what have I done? Josh had to have another "proceedure" last week which took up 3 days, Dad's birthday, we've been out a few days...all in all not a bad holiday could just do with another week if I'm honest as I'm not ready to go back yet!

Josh has gone back to school today! he is so used to being the youngest in the year with his birthday being in June, but, today he'll be the oldest - he's very fortunate to have been given a second chance at this year and I'm really hoping he'll make the most of it!

This week over at SCD its a new challenge and of course a new theme!

The challenge for September is to make Arches - these can be any size and shape that you like, but, obviously, fitting in with our theme of the week....This week's theme, Lace, has been chosen by Dawn, and its her first and first write up as DT so I hope she'll get plenty of takers this week...

So, here is my Lace Arch

The white card base was stamped using a lace stamp with versamark ink - I then dusted chalks over the image - the versamark acts as resist. The centre piece was a piece of stampbord which had been coloured with DI's and the lace stamp, this time with black ink, stamped over and hi-lighted by scratching. Prima flowers spritzed with glimmer mist, lace and pearls, and a bit of beaded trim were added before inking the outer edges.

Don't forget last months torso's swap - I have received some lovely sets and there is still time to send your's along for swapping. Email me for my addy and join in the swap!

Don't forget to pop on over to the SCD blog and see the other Lace Arches - and it would be great to see your pieces too.

Have a great weekend

TFL xx

Monday 30th August 2010

Tando Creative have recently designed a great selection of journalling blocks. These would be a great addition to any scrapbook page or card, but, following the latest trends and a'la Sir Tim and Wendy Veechi styles I've used mine like this:-

the base was painted with acryllic paint and once dry stamped with a studio 490 plaid stamp, this was then stamped with "bubbles" glimmer mist - this glimmer mist is gorgeous! the grungepaper butterfly also has a spritz. A rub on was added to the side. The grungepaper flower was made using loads of different colours - a whim!! and a bit of rock candy distress stickles added. A fragement was coloured using AI's and then a stamped image and a rub on added. The edges were hi-lighted with inka gold....the addition of a few pins finished it all off!!

TFL xx

Friday 27th August 2010

so, ok, who stole the summer? its really miserable - rain every day since St Swithins, must have done our 40 days by now and the rumour of snow next month - well!!! how flippin typical thats all I can say!

The end of the month signifys the end of another challenge over at SCD. The torso shape has proved popular this month, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the swaps....

This week is my turn to choose the theme and I've chosen:-

"....of the sea"

and here is my offering:-

white card cut to shape and coloured using DI's - the base was then stamped with a Cherry Pie rubber stamp, bubbles, these were then hi-lighted with the trusty white pen. The mermaid image is off the net. Both the image and base were coated with rock candy distress stickles to add a bit of sparkle. The edges were doodled and then inka gold applied. The text was created on the pc.

If anyone would like to join in the swap, email me thro' my contact button and I'll send you my address...really looking forward to seeing SCD'ers art in real life!!

Have a lovely weekend.

xx

Friday 20th August 2010

Over at SCD this week the very talented Gez has chosen our torso theme and she's chosen:-

Red and Black

so, I made this:-

but, then I found this image and made this:-


not quite sure which one I prefer, but, the second one has gone up over at SCD as my post...

Hope that you're enjoying the torso shaped atc's and don't forget the swap at the end of the month! just email me and I'll forward you the details so that you can take part....

TFL xx

Cards

Does anyone like us have one month of the year where its endless birthdays? only half way thro' the month but still lots left!! with this in mind I decided I'd take part in challenges to try and work my way thro' them all, but, you know what I'm like!! didn't get very far...actually still at the starting post lol

So, here is my brothers card:-

the background is basic grey, the image is by art journey, the stamped butterfly's is a studio 490 stamp.... a metal corner with a Tim pin and tag finish it off.

and as part of my Tando kit I received this tree - initially I thought about using it as a "family tree" and hanging off little frames with pictures in, but, then I thought it would look good like this:-



Part of a secret garden - the card incorporates the tando tree which was painted and then hi-lighted with inka gold, stamps are by Paperartsy apart from the butterfly which is a studio 490 stamp - the flower in the corner is made from tissue paper coloured with di's and sprayed with various glimmer mists!!

TFL xx

13th August 2010

Friday 13th August to be precise! now, my car has gone in for its 1st MOT I did try and not make it today, but, time ran out and Steve needs it when he goes away Monday! fingers crossed!!

Over at SCD we are continuing with our torso ATC challenge and its Laura's turn to chose the theme and she's chosen:-

Memories

Here is my Torso ATC:-

the shape was cut from white card which was then coloured using distress inks, ribbon and lace edge were places at an angle over an image from Crafty Individuals....a flower with a painted and hi-lighted chipboard heart and some pins and pearls were added in the corner...."Memories" was stamped using a cheap ol' set of alphabet stamps which have proven to be worth their weight in gold!

Pop on over to the scd blog and see what the others have come up with - some gorgeous pieces are on show.

Don't forget we're running a swap this month and we'd love everyone to join in...just email me for details.

Have a great weekend and TFL

xx

10th August 2010

and its not Friday!!!!!!!!!!!! roflxx

I've been creating a few pieces for Tando Creative recently, and as they've all now been posted onto the blog thought I'd share:-

The first post was of my "trio of frames" which is posted a bit further down - its fab to see that some crafters from the class have posted their frames which are FAB! well done girls!

The second post was of this:-


and


using the large and small bauble set from the Christmas range from Tando - the planner is to help me get organised this christmas - inside are sections for christmas card designs, lists, lists and more lists...you know how it is...

and the card at the bottom was created using last years christmas papers!

and my fav piece:-

the base is one of the new journalling blocks from Tando - all the embellishments (apart from the pins of course!!) have been made, mainly out of grungepaper! edged using that fab inka gold product - and a lovely white pen that actually seems to work - when I've got my hands on a few more I'll let you know where it came from!!!!!!!!!!! roflxx

Hope you're all having a fab week - see you Friday!

TFL xx

6th August 2010

and yet another Friday - whilst talking to a colleague this week we were commenting on how quickly the summer has passed us by....it rained here St Swithans day and boy, living up to its name, we've had rain, in one form or another, every day!! fed up of it now...Sun please??

Its a fun filled week with exciting news to share over at SCD this week and hopefully this month's challenge will encourage you to take part in our challenges.

Our first bit of news is that the mega talented ARTYJEN has joined us on the DT - if you don't know Artyjen, go and visit her fab blog..... and drool!! lolxx

Sioux (Artyjen) has also designed some FAB buttons for us - so please grab one and post on your blog....they are really swish - and a BIG Thank you to her for doing that xx

So, whats this month about then? The challenge this month is Torsos - ATC sized....a template has been provided over at SCD, but, there are other templates out there, but, please adapt them for 2.5" x 3.5" (the size of an atc).... this weeks theme is bling...

Here's mine:-


The torso was cut from white cardstock, coloured with di's and then masked and recoloured - the flowers were stamped with a text stamp - the edges were then inked. Bling was added and a white pen used to hi-light areas.

This month we are running an ATC swap - make your atc's and send them to me at the end of the month, I will return them on a 1/1 basis..... email me thro' my contact button on my blog and I will let you have my address - only ATC's sent with a sae will be swapped. You don't have to take part every week to participate in the swap...any further questions just ping me an email...

Pop on over to the SCD blog and see the other FAB torsos'...

Have a great weekend

TFL xx

Sunday 1st August 2010

Its the 1st August today - 8 months into the year and another year older for me!! Thank You to those of you who remembered it was my Birthday and for the cards that you sent... I really appreciate the effort and care put into my cards xx

Today is a new challenge over at Vanilla Sugar and this month its to create/alter a Frame..

So, here is my altered frame:-


so, this might look a bit familiar - its the third one I've done...lolxx the base is a 6x6 frame from Tando Creative - I've used circular/oval fragments along with a couple of rectangular ones, and in the corner the ferro has been covered with inka gold and topped off with a grungepaper flower. The middle has been created with distress inks and grungepaper embellishments made with studio 490 stamps and a stamped quote finish it off.

As I said its one of three frames I've made and here they are together...

think I'd better do something else with them now don't you!

Do pop on over to the Vanilla Sugar blog and see what the others have come up with.

TFL xx

29th July 2010

SCD day today - and over on the challenge blog we are still doing tags - and the theme this week is a colour theme - Orange, Blue and Brown...

Here is my final tag:-


I have had the shape template for ages and have forgotten where it came from - the butterflys and flowers have been cut out of grungepaper and coloured using DI's - the main body of the tag was coloured using DI's and then over stamped with several stamps....

Next week over at SCD there will be a new challenge, a new theme a great new swap and a GREAT new DT member joining us!! how fabbie is that?

Pop on over to the SCD blog and see what the others have created!! FAB!

Have a good weekend xx

FRIDAY 23RD JULY 2010

Tis Friday, again!! lol and time for another SCD theme....the challenge this month is TAGS and the theme has been chosen by moi this week and its:-

CIRCLES

Here is my effort...

The usual white card coloured with DI's, stamped with a paperartsy stamp and then cut on the nesties....bits and bobs added, as you do!! lolxx finish it all off!

Really hope that some of you will pop on over to the SCD blog and try our circle tag theme this week - why not pop on over to SCD anyway and see the other DT tags and also the lovely Joannes great GDT tag.

We have some FAB things lined up for August one of them being a FANTASTIC new DT member and also another swap...so do keep popping onto the blog and seeing what we've all been planning and hopefully you'll join in the fun.

For those attending my Frame Class on Saturday, please don't forget your blending tools (if you have them), non stick mat, cutting mats and basic crop tools and of course the important bit, lunch!! roflxx

TFL xx

Kathys Sketch Blog

A forum buddy, Kathy, runs a sketch blog and here is my attempt at her latest sketch....

Some friends of ours move house tomorrow and so I decided to use the sketch for the card - all papers are by papermania - the Persimmon collection - the house is an Anna Griffin stamp...

If you fancy trying something different why not pop on over to Kathy's blog and have a go at one of the many gorgeous sketches on offer...

TFL xx

July 16th 2010

Wheres the summer gone? one minute its lovely and warm the next its back into the trousers and long sleeve tops!! only in England hey?

What a week this household has seen! Poor ol' Ty our wei managed to break one of his molars so another visit to the vets and another claim on the insurance - when the vet took a look he said that he'd also cracked the one beside it, so poor ol' boy has had 2 teeth removed - as you can expect, he's feeling rather sorry for himself!!

Last week Dad was rushed into hospital too - so that was trips every other night up the ol' A14 to visit - fortunately he was allowed home yesterday - and I've had to have an MRI so all in all a very eventful week!!

Its Friday again, so its SCD day...we are continuing with our tag challenge and the theme has been chosen this week by the lovely Gez and its....

Fantasy

here is my fantasy tag:-

just plain ol' stamping, colouring in, highlighting and a bit of distress stickles...fibres added to finish it all off.

Pop on over to the SCD site and see the other FANTASTIC Fantasy tags...

TFL XX

9th July 2010

and its a Friday so that can only mean one thing, its SCD day!

We are still continuing with our tag challenge and the theme this week has been selected by Laura...who has chosen:-

"Are you sitting comfortably?"

Well!! what can I say? always pushing us to our limits and making us think outside the box, pop on over to the SCD blog and see what Laura has to say about her thoughts behind the theme and perhaps it won't put you off!! lolx

Heres my effort:-

The background was created with distress inks and then stamped with three different background stamps, the sitting image is by Art Journey, and the little flowers are studio 490 stamps...the swirl has been painted with inka gold...and the edges were hi-lighted with it too!!

We have a special announcement over at SCD this week - so pop along and read the news!

TFL

xx

Class details

For the last few months I've been teaching some technique classes at Papermaze. All of these technique classes are going to reach the finale on Saturday 24th July when we will be putting all of the new and some old technqiues to practise and create a frame similar to the above.

The class will involve painting, dry brushing, using texture paste, stamping, embossing and making our own fragment embellishments using alcohol inks and various other techniques. Apart from the frame and ribbon - everything is hand created.

Although the class is primarily for those that have taken the monthly classes, other crafters are also welcome. All materials are provided, but, please bring with you your usual tools, ie scissors, craft mat, cutting board, etc. If you have any favourite pieces that you would like to incorporate into the frame you can also bring those along too. Even if you haven't attended the workshops, I will be on hand, and there are full instructions to follow - so it really is available to everyone.

The class runs from 10am to 4pm and costs £25. All materials are provided along with light refreshments - please bring a packed lunch with you. To book click here.

TFL xx


ps the frame is one from the gorgeous Tando Creative range - see some other inspriational pieces here.

2nd July 2010

SCD day today - and as its the first of a new month its a new challenge along with a new theme.

This month we are re-visiting tags....any shape, any size, just as long as they fit in with the theme of the week.

This week its Ang's turn to choose the theme and she's chosen:-

Hearts

here is my tag:-

The base, as usual white card, which has been painted, terra and perfect pearls along with a bit of stamping all thrown at it. The centre is a metal heart....and the embellishments have been made out of grungepaper.

Do pop on over to the SCD blog and see what the others have created - we also have a FAB GT joining us this week, so pop along and hopefully you'll join us this week..

TFL xx

1st July 2010

Its time for a new project over at Vanilla Sugar - this month we're looking at altered jars/tins/boxes...

Here is my altered box:-




The base is a small wooden box that I picked up in our local QD store - it was a nest of three boxes - so cheap!! I painted the base with acryllic and then dry brushed it. The lock was also painted then had inka gold added to age it.

The top has a metal "piece" on it and some grungepaper embellishments, little metal corners finished it all off.

Around the top of the lid and along the bottom of the box was added Tim Holtz tissue paper tape.

Pop on over to the Vanilla Sugar blog and see the other gorgeous box creations.

TFL xx

Friday?

again, every week I promise myself that I'll blog more and every week I fail. Although, I have to admit that I'm currently covering 2 people that are on holiday at work, and doing my job, so I'm getting home rather frazzled around the edges. I started full time in January and am now coping with the hours and housework, but, now I find we've another person in the house, one that likes to rescue animals! and all that entails, and things are getting rather behind!! although, I have made! her do loads of housework, unfortunately, ironing means showing the clothes the iron, I'm sure the iron never actually made it to cloth! I'm informed it did - but, it all had to be done again!! roflxx well, thats one way to learn isn't it?

anyway, enough of the excuses and onto this weeks SCD piece....

This week, being the last Friday in June sees the last of the skinnis (3"x5") and it fell to Dawn to choose this weeks theme....and she chose

Flora and Fauna

Here is my skinni:-



so, the base is white card! covered with patterned paper, now that doesn't happen very often! another matching paper strip was placed to one side and gingham ribbon top and bottom. The flower and butterfly were stamped onto metal, embossed and filled and then painted with inka gold - this stuff is truely gorgeous! I was introudced to it whilst on the artsycrafts weekend and just had to get some! lush! the little saying is a paperartsy stamp which was edged with inka gold and then the entire piece covered with sepia accents. The butterfly has a glass tail which you can just about see!

This theme is the last one that Dawn will be choosing - with a new job and longer hours and a new home she has decided to step down from the DT. I would like to Thank Dawn for her committment and support - she was the first person I told about my "SCD" idea and she offered her support from the start - Thank You xx

Do pop on over to the SCD blog and see what the other DT'ers have created - and hopefully you'll be able to join us.

TFL xx

SCD

is here again - the weeks are going so quickly!

Sian is now home from Uni, has had her first "proper" interview and has been invited for a "trial day" keep your fingers crossed for her! and Josh will be going back to school on Monday! he hasn't been well enough to attend, and has been in hospital for several months during the last 6!, so he's going to find it rather tough going!! perhaps now things are on the up????

SCD is continuing with the skinni (3"x5") challenge this week and I've chosen a colour theme

BLUE AND WHITE

here is my effort:-


the base is chipboard painted with gesso, then had di's added before spritzing with crafty notions white spray - his was then stamped over with pa's hotpicks stamps....a grungepaper flower, stamps stamped onto metal cut out and embossed and a bit of bling were added!

I think I'm going to turn this into a cover for a little note book (one day!!)

Do pop on over to the scd blog and see what the others have created and hopefully you'll join us this week.

TFL xx

Friday again

where on earth are these weeks going? since starting work full time the weeks fly pass and the weekends go even quicker!

So, with it being Friday, again, its SCD day...

June is our skinni's month (being 3"x 5" or 5"x3") pieces of art..

This week its Gez's turn to choose the theme and she chose:-

Cats

So, here's my cat...

the white card had two di's swished onto it, then stamped with a cherry pie crackle stamp, then over stamped with a S!r T!m harlequin stamp, then paperartsy feet off the cat mini, then embossed whith a swirl which then had perfect pearls swished over. Edges were doodles on and the harlequin given a drop of white pen! The cat is by paperartsy and was stamped onto watercolour paper and coloured in using di's, a bit of inka gold was wiped over the edges and added to the buttons and whiskers of the cat. Lettering by making memories..

Pop on over to the SCD blog the dt have come up with some FAB creations this week - hope that you can all join us...

TFL xx