sneaking in...

with a last minute post...where has this year gone? although, saying that we have had more than our share of ups and downs again this year...but, our Josh is doing really well, that op has definately given him his life back and he's loving Uni life..so thats one positive thing!!

The Bramford girls crop challenge for January was decorate a hanger, provided by Tracey - we all drew names out of a box to see who to make the hanger for... here's mine...

The tage was painted with blue fresco paint then a coat of crackle glaze followed by white fresco paint...and then left to crackle! The background was then stamped using TH stamps in black and di's - the grungepaper die cut was coloured using stains and a stained piece of ribbon added along with a pearl charm.... flowers and a saying finishes off the piece.  Just hope that the recipiant likes it!!

TFL xx

Tando Challenge Blog...

Over on the Tando Challenge blog this months theme is "Winter Festivals"

Here is my entry:-

the cover was painted with acryllic paint and then hi-lighted using inka gold.  The background paper was made by stamping a Tim Holtz stamp onto white card and then running it thro' the equivilant emblossing folder the entire piece was then distressed with di.  This technique was video'd on Tim Holtz's blog and its finished effect is truely stunning!!  My finished piece was matted onto red cardstock and then adhered to the front cover.  Tando santa and sleigh were painted black and added along with a couple of sizzix trees which had been hi-lighted using picket fence stickles..

this is the inside....

All papers inside are from a christmas pad, bo bunny I think! apart from the blue piece in the bottom right hand corner which is from Tim Holtz.  The sleigh, snowflakes, baubles, christmas trees, holly, star are all tando pieces which have been heat embossed, coloured, inked, stickled and hi-lighted....

Pop on over to the challenge blog and see what the other DT members have created, and, don't forget there is a fab prize up for grabs for one lucky entrant.  You don't have to use Tando products, but, if you do you're entered into the draw twice!

TFL xx

disappointing

Why is it that photographs never really show the depth of colour or the way the piece actually looks in rl?

Take this:-

IRL its really pretty - its got loads of texture and colour and the text stands out really well, and the picket fence stickles looks really white! yet, no matter how I photograph it, in the light, out of the light, still looks slightly naff!! I think that my news years resolution will be to have camera lessons!! roflxx

Each month at the crop one of us (6 take part) challenges the others to create using the given objects....November was Nancy with this arrow.....theme bling or rockets....and then for December, Janina gave us some wooden hanging things!! lolx

Next door has all their christmas decos up so Christmas must be coming..............

TFL xx

more colour!

This is the sketch over at Kathy's Waffle Sketch file for November.....

and this is another piece I've made using it...

I used those dylusions inks on background paper and then stamped over, the girl is Jasmine by Stampotique, I used a mask and coloured the background with di's and then stamped using di's and Claudine Hellmuth foam stamps - such fun!  the tag is one of T!m's.

Do pop on over to kathy's Waffle Sketch file she has loads of different sketches available to give some fab inspiration...

TFL xx 

a bit of colour....

I don't usually have so much colour in my pieces, but, since discovering those FAB Dylusions ink sprays everything has taken on a brighter and bolder feel to it...

Here is a tag I created for one reason and couldn't bear to part with it...but, on Saturday ended up giving it to Ness, from Papermaze, it will be going up on the newly decorated walls after the fire!! I could bear to part with it for that!! lol

The background was created using the ink sprays then stamped with black versafine ink using Tim Holtz stamps.  The dress form is cut from gungepaper and coloured using distress stains, hi-lights were then added using a white pen.  Ribbon was coloured using the same distress stains and trinkets hung from a ring.  The flowers were coloured with distress stains.  The flower was created from copy paper which had been inked using the dylusions ink sprays with some perfect pearl gold misted over the top and then formed together.  Bling and pearls finish it off....

I'm going to enter this for Happy Daze challenge - explosion of colour

TFL xx

Blue and Brown at Tando Challenges

This month over on the Tando Challenge blog the theme is "Blue and Brown"

here is my piece:-

The Tando journalling block was painted with brown acryllic then I used paperartsy fresco crackle paint and the powder blue paint in that range.  The flowers are part of line of the Tando flower row 130mm which I cut up into individuals blooms and coloured using distress inks....hi-lighted with glossy accents and added a bit of bling....the Tando bookplate (I just love these!) was once again painted with distress inks, the bird is a stamp and the Tando dragonfly (another of my fav's) was again coloured with DI's.....a few beads threaded onto a headpin finished it all off.

Don't forget there are some scrummy prizes up for grabs if you enter the monthly challenges....and the best thing is you get to choose which ones you'd like!  So do pop on over to the blog and have a go.

Don't forget that Di has also very generously donated a prize to anyone that provides a piccie of their frame from the online classes.....so, if you did have a go, do leave a comment and piccie and we can see what you've created...

TFL xx

week 4

It doesn't seem that four weeks ago I started the on-line classes over at Tando Creative On-line, and it doesn't seem possible that four weeks ago we took our son off to Uni, 3 weeks after having major surgery!

Anyway, today is the last class in the on-line frame making class

This was what we have been making:-

using a whole host of techniques and making our own embellishments.

Di has offered up a prize for one lucky participant so I'm hoping that there are a few people who have followed the class and are pleased with their frame.

Don't forget that Tando Creative also have an on-line challenge blog, this month the theme is blue and brown and one lucky winner will be able to choose their own prize from a whole host of Tando goodies.  So do pop on over and have a go...

TFL xx

Kathy's Waffle sketch file

Its time for another sketch over at Kathy's waffle sketch file and this month its:-

and I've made a canvas board using it:-

The base was painted using paperartsy fresco paint and then using a tando stencil viva decor's terra paste was pushed tho' once set the base board was high-lighted using inka gold.  Ovals were cut using nesties and the tin man and scarecrow images came from a sheet of Graphics 45 paper.  The ribbon at the side was coloured using distress stains.

Do pop on over to Kathy's Waffle Sketch file,  there are always some fab designs using the above sketch, and all previous sketches are still accessable for you to use too.

TFL xx

catch up

Where on earth has this year gone? it seems to be flying pass so very quickly.

We took our son off to Bristol Uni two weeks ago and its strange that after all the time he's been so very ill he's now fending for himself and studying hard towards his degree and a much brighter future.  We still don't know whats in store for him yet but he's got his life back!

Being late again I've missed telling you about the new challenge over at Tando Creative - this month the challenge is to create a piece in blue and brown - up for grabs for one lucky winner is four pieces of Tando product of their choice - you don't have to use any Tando products to enter, but, if you do you go into the draw twice.

Also, being as its another month there is a fab new sketch over at Kathy's Waffle Sketch file - so do pop on over and have a look.

The OH is currently participating in a competition and his team have now got thro' to the Semi Finals so I've had to get the ol' cricut out cutting out letters and symbols so guess where all my crafting time has gone this week!! lol

TFL xx

31st October 2011 - hallowe'en...

Happy Hallowe'en.....the day of spoofs, spills, spooks and ghoulies....and things that go bump in the night!! lolxx

I suspect we'll get loads of trick or treaters around here as usual - I don't mind the little 'uns who are all dressed up and out for the fun of it, its the older ones who always seem unappreciative of what they're given and want more!

I've recently had a couple of printers trays in my DT pack for Tando creative and have used one to create:-

A spooky hallowe'en tray....the base was painted with acryllic paint and then a rough smearing of inka gold was added to the background, the tray was then assembled.  I find I get a better coverage and neater finish if I paint then assemble.  The edges were covered with T!m Holtz hobgoblin tissue tape and then distress inks smeared over the top and edged with inka gold.  The tando bat at the top was coloured using distress inks and pens used to hi-light, the smaller tando bat was treated the same way, but, given a coat of glossy accents.
The spider and spiders web were cut out on the cricut, bottles, chairs, handmade skulls kindly donated by Janet were given the distress ink finish, the cameo is made of clay and then painted...and those spiders...well you'd never guess where they came from!! lol

Have a good and safe hallowe'en

xx

I'm taking Gingers advice and entering this piece for the Happy Daze Hallowe'en blog entry....

TFL xx

Tando online class

Its Saturday again..................pop on over to the Tando creative on-line classes blog for the next installment to make this:-

 

This week we are decorating the legs and also making the background paper....do pop along and have a look and let me know what you think..

Also, just a reminder that I'm teaching how to make this clock on the 12th November at Crafts and Candlelight.

The base is a tando frame as are the numbers, the paint effect is created using paperartsy freshco paint - the clock does work!! There are still some spaces available, if you would like to come please drop me a line.

Don't forget you've still got time to enter the Spooky challenge over on the Tando Challenge blog - fab prizes up for grabs and a new challenge launching on Tuesday.....

Have a great weekend

TFL xx

its Saturday....................

and over at Tando its a "me" day!! lol

Firstly do pop on over to the online class blog where you will find the first stage to make this:-

Pop on over to the blog where you will find a comprehensive list of supplies needed to make the frame and also the first class, entitled "Frame".  The course will last for four weeks and each week will be published on a Saturday.

Also, over on the Tando Challenge blog its my "hallowe'en project" week and I made this:-

This is the front of my project, which opens out to:-

Which opens out to:-

The chipboard shapes were painted with dylusions orange paint and then distressed with black ink.  The mould is made of clay and painted black and orange the "Boo" wording comes from Sir Tim...The centre skull is by Tando and has been coloured using chalks.  The final section has stamped spiders and the hand and jailed pumpkins are by graphics 45...each section has been hi-lighted using a white gel pen and inka gold.  The bats are all Tando Creative and have been painted with black paint.....the hinges are grungeboard hinges which were painted with black acryllic paint and distressed using scissors and inka gold.

Do pop on over to the Tando Challenge blog - each month there is a draw and one lucky participant will win four items of their choice from the Tando Range....you don't have to use Tando products to take part but if you do you'll be entered twice - how fab is that??

TFL xx

17.10.11

Everyday! thats what keeps me sane!!  This piece was a wooden "word" which was painted every colour under the sun until I was happy with the result which was eventually created using dylusions paints...the stamps are my hero S!r T!m's and these were hi-lighted with white pen...the edges were given the inka gold treatment! and the whole thing spritzed with ranger's perfect pearls mist in gold.

On Saturday another on-line class goes live for Tando Creative and I'm hosting this time....here are a couple of sneak peeks to tempt you to join in.

The on line classes are running for four weeks and I really hope that you can take part I'd love to see what you come up! See you there on Saturday.

Also, don't forget the Tando Challenge blog - the theme this month is "Hallowe'en" as always there is a fab prize up for grabs, your choice of 4 Tando products...how fab is that...wish I could enter!  You don't have to use Tando products to enter, but, if you do you get entered twice.

TFL xx

at long last!

some crafting............yeah!!

Its Tuesday so day for another posting on Kathy's Sketch file...

Here is my October entry:-

I'm a bit behind with everything at the moment so used the opportunity to make a friends birthday card using Kathy's great sketch.  The rosette is one of S!r T1m's die cuts and the image is Jasmin by Joanne Capper-Sandon for stampotique which was coloured in using water colour pencils and then masked for the script stamp.  Pattered paper with extra stamping and edged with inka gold, using cut and dry!!, and a few pins finished it off!

Do pop on over to Kathy's sketch file - each month there is a new sketch for you to try and all the old sketches are still accessible if you fancy having a go at those too.

I would just like to say a big "Thank You" to my dear friends who have been a rock to me over the last year plus! especially over the last few weeks...I really appreciate it all xx

TFL xx

update

So, where have I been?

My son was diagnosed with Crohns back in March and over the last two years has spent long periods of time in hospital. The last few months he has been very ill and the end result was that he had his colon removed last week.  He now has a stoma bag fitted.  He came home this week and is doing very well both physically and mentally and is hoping to go off to Uni really soon.  He is exceptionally underweight and we are now in the process of finding out what suits and what doesn't!!

My daughter also celebrated her 21st yesterday.  Hopefully she had a good day and enjoyed her present!! although, our family meal was ruined by the restuarant which was a real shame,but, hey these things happen!!

So, with it being the 8th October, I've not told you about the wonderful theme over at Tando this month, which being October, had to be Hallowe'en.....make anything you like on the theme and if you use Tando product's you're entered into the draw for the goodies twice.  The prize is really worth winning as you get to choose your own selection of tando goodies - how fab is that! pop on over and take a look.

Also, I've also missed telling you about Kathy's waffle sketch file and the fab new sketch over there.....so pop on over and give it a go.

I've photographed my pieces for each of these but just not had the chance to download them, I will do soon,

TFL xx

Tick tock...

....here we have a .....

clock...................lol

The base is a Tando frame - which has had paint and stamping and crackle and all sorts thrown at it.....the edges were given the inka gold treatement - the numbers are also tando....fab stuff that Tando creative...

I'm hoping to do a class making this clock, so if you're interested please email me...further details will be published later...

Do pop over to the Tando Creative blog and see how the DT use the fantastic products designed by Di...also, have you seen the new Tando Challenge blog? It a monthly themed challenge and the lucky winner gets to choose a selection of Tando goodies - you don't have to use Tando to enter, but, if you do you'll be entered into the draw twice!! take a look and join in the fun....

TFL xx

Giveaway over at

Lin Browns blog...a fab set of pan pastels - how totally fab is that....if you've never visited her blog where have you been do you know what you're missing? get over there now and have a look!! lol

TFL xx

6th September 2011

The first Tuesday in the month sees a new challenge over at Kathy's Sketch File....

This month the sketch is:-

I've choosen to do a twinchie for my first piece this month:-

The base is by Tando and was painted with dylusions acryllic paint before being sprayed with dylusions ink sprays.....the edge was then painted with inka gold and then highlighted with white.  The white circles were added using paint.  The T!m Holtz stamp was stamped onto text paper and the blacked out words hi-lighted using glossy accents, this was then mat and layered......bling and chain finished off the piece.

Do pop on over to Kathy's sketch file for some fab sketches to use for all your crafting....they look great on layouts, cards and bits wot I do!! lolxx

TFL xx

PS - I just want to thank all my wondeful friends for their support and emails - unfortunately Josh was advised against going to Uni last week as he's too poorly to go and is now having his op next week so then hopefully he'll be able to lead a near normal life....xx

1st September 2011

wow where'd August go? soon the kids will all be going back to school and normality resumes.

My youngest goes off to Uni on Saturday - boy, will the house be quiet then - he's only going for a few weeks then he'll be home for surgery and then back for the New Year and hopefully a more near normal life for him!

Over at Tando creative Challenge blog we have a new theme....."RUSTIC"

Here's my rustic banner....the base is the Tando Home Sweet Home set.  All of the chipboard, bar the writing, was treated to the paperarsty fresco paint crackle treatment - the edges were then hi-lighted with viva decor inka gold.  The writing was painted with black acryllic paint....bling was added to each home heart to finish it off.  I then threaded twine thro' to make it into a hanging which is now in my craft room!

If you get a chance do pop on over to the Challenge blog.  The themes change monthly and there is a wonderful prize for the winner - you get to choose Tando goodies, how fab is that?  You don't have to use Tando products to enter, but, if you do you're entered into the draw twice.  Don't forget to look at the products available as Tando now do a great range of masks and the new printers trays are just FAB!

TFL Xx

Crop Swap

I try to attend a couple of crops each month and at the Bramford crop a group of us (Janet, Karen, Tracey, Janina, Nancy and I) challenge each other to think outside the box and alter "found treasures".  I've been setting the recent challenges and we've altered jigsaw puzzles, dominos, pieces of wood!! lol - this time Karen gave us all large bottle caps, Janina gave us all a beer mat and Janet gave us all little boxes - you can see the "naked" pieces on Janets blog..

Here is what I did with them....

First up the bottle cap:-

I flattened the bottle cap in my cuttlebug and then painted it with bronze inka gold - I then punched a hole at the top with my cropadile.....The base is an image from Graphics 45 and this was then coated with Glossy accents...I then added some beads and watch pieces around the outside and then another coat of GA (in the picture it has shown up as really cloudy but its crystal clear and shiny!)....I then added some charms and beads and a T!m Holtz chain thing! lol

The beer mat:-

The background is distress stains which I splatted with water and then stamped a variety of T!m Holtz stamps in black these were then hi-lighted with a white pen ...I also used the stains on some white cardstock which was then used to make the rosette (TH mini rosette die) and stamped the saying onto another piece which was then edged with inka gold and then matted onto darker cardstock.  The edges were also edged with inka gold.  A bit of beaded trim and bling finished it off...

and finally......the box...

The base of the box was painted with Paperartsy fresco paint and then the crackle and then another layer of paint...this was then stamped over in brown....the butterfly is made out of shrink plastic and coloured using distress stains a bit of recycled trim makes up the body....the flower is made using a technique from Lin Brown....basically its painted metal and then moulded...all details are on her blog....

All of these pieces are now parcelled up ready for the swap at the next crop - wonder what I'll get back?

I would just like to say a big THANK YOU for all your lovely emails, comments and cards with regard to the sad loss of my dear Nanna.  The funeral is on Wednesday which will be one of the hardest days of my life!

TFL xx

19.11.1919 - 17.08.2011 R.I.P NAN

Tonight I lost my Nan.

After a spell in hospital she softly slipped away from us leaving massive holes in her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchilds lives....

RIP NAN XX

XX

comment verification

I'm really sorry but over the last few days I've had over 200 spam comments left and so I've had to turn on the comment verification.

I do appreciate everyone that takes the time out to visit my blog and leave a comment and really hope that you will continue to do so...

xx

Steampunk men and Tando

Morning....

I just adore the Tando chippie block pieces...be it journalling blocks or the blank sheets...this piece was made using a piece which is approx 4.5" square with a wavy edge.....

 

The base was painted with dylusions acryllic paint and once dry a Tando Stencil placed over the top, have you tried the stencils? they are fab! they are really thick plastic and so are easily held in place and give fantastic results with paste and paint alike...the one used here was the cogs.....and I painted acryllic paint over the top - once dry I hi-lighted the edges with a white pen.  The T!m Holtz men and hand were stamped onto grungepaper which had been coloured using distress stains... the edge of the block was hi-lighted using a gold krylon pen.

Then I made this with it...

The brown backing paper is co-ordinations black magic paper....which was run thro' the bug with an embossing file...the banner is by T!m Holtz and the metal cogs act as a stay.....

Do pop on over to the Tando Challenge blog - this months theme is "Go Wild" and there is a fab prize up for grabs - you don't have to use any Tando products, but, if you do you're entered into the draw twice! There is also another two DT pieces on show today....we'd love to see your interpretation on the theme...xx

TFL

xx

08.08.11 - Tando Challenge

Morning.

Remember last Monday the Tando Challenge blog went live....have you seen the fab examples by Zoe, Karen and  Kaz yet?

Today its the turn of my Tando Partner in inky deliciousness Joanne and I to showcase our pieces...

Now the theme for August is "go wild" and you know me, always thinking outside the box...so I've come up with this...

So, ok I can see you're all asking yourself "what on earth was she thinking!" well, "Take a walk on the wild side" ...lol  The base is a canvas board which I painted with dylusions paints and then using a thin paint brush I added highlights in black, white circles were stamped and then the entire board was spritzed with a colour wash.  The Tando boot was painted with black acryllic paint and then using the tando cog stencil I applied a thick layer of paint, rocking it slightly to give it a raised edge - once dry I applied inka terra to the top, heel and toe and sliced thro' using a spatula...this was then heated until it bubbled.  Once dry I applied inka gold using a piece of cut and dry foam - where the paint was raised it has caught the product giving it hi-lights...the boot was then laced using bakers twine and a few beaded pins added to give a bit of bling...Lettering done with rub-ons and dymo tape....

If you get a chance do play along with us at Tando - this month all you have to create a new piece based on the theme "Go Wild" - it doesn't have to include any Tando products, but, if you do you'll be entered into the draw twice.  The prize is fab - you get to choose 4 tando products from a fantastic selection - how fab is that....pop on over to the blog and have a go...

TFL xx

Kathy's Sketch file...New sketch..

Morning,

Over at Kathy's Sketch File the new August Sketch goes live today...

Here it is:-

and here is my take on it:-

The base is a sweet tin which was  painted with fresco acryllic paint the cog, made by tando creative was painted with fresco paint and the crackle glaze...the cogs are stamped on with versafine and is a paperartsy stamp...the banner is by my hero S!r T!m and was coloured using distress stains....the cogs at the side are mover and shaper cog dies which were cut out of shrink plastic, the snaps are by Junkitz...a few metal embellies finish it off...

Do pop on over to kathys sketch blog....she has some fab sketches and perhaps you can join in with the sketch challenge this month...

TFL xx

ps Just wanted to say a Big Thank You to everyone for their Birthday wishes yesterday - I had a lovely day xx

1st August 2011

Hello fellow bloggers.....

1st August hey, the eighth month and isn't time flying - we actually saw some sun yesterday for a change wow that was a nice way to re-charge the batteries...

Today is a big day for Tando Creative - its the launch of the new challenge blog....it will be a monthly themed challenge with the dt posting up different pieces each Monday.  You don't have to use Tando Chippie each time and there is a fab prize up for grabs...so, pop on over to the challenge blog and hopefully you'll join us.

Its not my turn to show my piece this week, but, somehow it doesn't seem right to do a post without  showing something so here is a card I made for a friends recent birthday...

TFL xx

26.07.11

Where does time go? one minute we're getting over Christmas and the next its nearly the end of July....does it come with getting older that time flies? One minute its Monday and I'm thinking ohhhh another week at work in front of me after a rather short weekend and the next its Friday!

Anyway, enough of my excuses hey!

Here is a card I've created for one of my students, who celebrates the same birthday as me, although, I must say, and not being rude here!! that she's alot older than me!!!!!! roflxx

The card has been created using July's sketch from Kathys waffle sketch file...The background was created by spraying on different coloured inks and then cosmo cricket paper added which had been cut with a punch...the co-ordinations cardstock was cut and then run tho' the bug with an embossing file, the centre piece was a cut off from karen during one of the crops....the little rosette is by my Hero S!r T!m...xx

TFL xx

Kathys Sketch File

I had an email over the weekend from Kathy, from Kathys Sketch File, asking me if I would like to join her DT....Kathy creates the bestest sketches for use in layouts, cards or anything you like...so I said "YES"! so, here is my first piece for her...

The base is a Tando Creative chipboard piece which was painted with dylusions paints....the black outer line is also from the dylusions range and this was painted freehand around the edges...a white hi-light was also added....The frame is another one of those gorgeous Tando frames which was painted with acryllic paint and edged with inka gold using cut and dry foam....the flower was cut from kraft glassine and coloured with distress stains...the centre piece is a bead...the leaves are a martha stewart punch, edged with black pen and painted with glossy accents to add dimension...

Do pop on over to kathys sketch blog and perhaps you'll fancy having a go with some of her great sketches...xx

12.07.11

Well it appears that Mr Mojo might have just returned home, about time too!! I've been really struggling to find any get and up and go, especially where my crafting is concerned, since I returned from holiday, but, at last I think I'm back to "normal" whatever that may be!

Each month I set our table at the Bramford crop little challenges to test them and see what they come up with - since I've been away last time I went I set them two...one was a little wooden domino and the other was to alter a jigsaw piece that I could put together and hang on my wall alongside one we did similar about 2 years ago...

So, here are my pieces:-

The base is a piece from a childrens jigsaw I bought in a local charity shop.  The base was painted with viva decor crocco paint in turquoise and when dry I edged it with viva decor inka gold.  The hand was moulded out of clay and then painted with acryllic paint and aged using the inka gold.  The watch face was tinted using distress stains, an image from my fav graphics 45 paper and a crown finished off the piece.

Domino:-

The base was coloured using bronze inka gold, then viva decor terra placed on the edge and stamped, this was then heated to make it bubble, once cool inka gold was smeared over the top (grief I sound like an viva decor addict here!!) Beads were adhered to the corner and a piece of graphics 45 paper added and watch parts added for texture.  A Tim Holtz clasp altered it to a fob piece...

TFL xx

How long???

I didn't realise just how long it had been since my last post.....the reason for the brief interlude was that OH and myself went on holiday - left the kids to their own devices, not found out anything untoward, yet! and jetted off to the sun.  We did absolutely nothing for a week, other than eat, drink, sunbathe, walk around the bay and sleep! came back fully refreshed and the ol' brain still hasn't got upto speed yet!! lol

Anyway, I have made some pieces....some cards and the such - but, the photography of them wasn't the best - so you'll just have to trust me on that one....

I have made these for the BF swap tho'

I run the Twinchie swap each month and last month decided to do a receipe - blue and white, piece of lace, image, piece of pattern paper and 3 pieces of bling.... Hope the ladies like my effort.


Over at Tando Creative there has been some excting news....Di has decided to do some online classes and Zoe is kicking off the programme  - her frist class starts this Friday and here is the link - there is a taster piccie on site so do pop on over and take a look.

TFL xx

Try it on a Tuesday - altered art "dream"

Its ages since I did a piece for a challenge blog! but, today whilst browsing thro' blogs and linking from one to another I came across "Try it on a Tuesday" who, this week are sponsored by "The Craft Barn" and the brief was "Altered art - themed "dream" - I have lots of favourite stamps - and this is one of them - I've had it for ages and you might well have seen it before:-

My tag was coloured using distress stains and then overstamped with text in brown ink - the D "dream" stamp was stamped using black versafine - I then spritzed the tag with perfect pearls in gold - now doing this on versafine isn't a good idea!!!! the colour ran a little but not too bad! the stamp was then hi-lighted using white pen.  The butterfly is made from art institute film with fibres inbetween the two sheets so that they melted...(can't remember the name of the film and have thrown away the packets!).  The little tag is one of my hero Tim Holtz with a "dream" saying.  The ribbon was coloured using the same distress stains as the background, and the maya road ribbon at the bottom was coloured using distress stains in wild honey and walnut stain.....

TFL xx

Tando Creative - bookplate

I just love the bookplates from Tando Creative.  They come in two different sizes and in previous projects I've used the smaller ones, but, this time I've used a large one to create this:-

The base of this book was from some Tando chipboard which was covered with paper, which in turn had tissue tape added before being painted with watered down acryllic paint.  A Tim Holtz harlequin stamp was then stamped with black ink.  I used the townscape die to cut the border out of patterned paper, this was then painted with watered down acryllic before blacking out the windows and doors.    The large Tando Bookplate was coloured using distress ink and then overstamped with a text stamp, this was then coated with Ranger Crackle Glaze and left over night to set - the cracks were then hi-lighted using distress ink.  Inner pages and covers were then bound together using the bind it all and ribbon coloured with distress stains and beaded pins were added to the spine.

Years ago I created a book to store all the addresses of my crafty friends so that I could send them birthday and christmas cards - that poor little book has now seen better days so this one is to replace it hence the title "friends love to craft".

TFL xx

Sewing configurations box

 take two - just for me!!

So, the previous box was for a class that was held at Papermaze - but, this one I did just for me....

This time I've added reels as feet and covered them with tissue tape, and the dress form was given the distress treatment as seen on Hel's blog....

I have also taken another piccie of my piece for this weeks Tando creative post as the previous one was so dark!

Not quite sure whats going on with blogger again!! this post has just taken me ages to do and I couldn't download any pictures in firefox again so having to upload on internet explorer!!! computers hey!! lol

TFL x

Tando Creative - inka gold

Where have the last few weeks gone? Joanne and I are now ending our current technique journey - really hope that you've enjoyed the trip!!

So, for the last of our pieces we're using inka gold and rub n buff...

Here is my inka gold piece:-

The base is a journalling block ( do you get the impression I like these??) The block was run thro' the bug using an embossing folder then graphite inka gold applied using a piece of cut and dry foam. Orange i/g was then swiped over the top and the edges then redefined using the graphite.  The frame in the centre is a "karen" frame, the hearts were removed and covered with lava red i/g and then glossy accents applied, the centre piece had a piece of graphics 45 paper adhered and a fragment added to add definition to the head.  The main frame was covered with lava green i/g and graphite swiped over the top.  The gorgeous little tando dragonfly was covered with orange i/g and then lava green added to the edges with metal heads being adhered to emphasise the body and head....

I first came across inka gold during a weekend residential craft course - we were taught how to apply it and having fallen in love with the versatility of it, the vibrancy and how creamy it was I bought several colours (as you can tell from the above text) and ordered several more on my return home.  For some reason, all of my pots have gone mouldy - they had been stored in a dark drawer away from any heat source, but, still, they are all covered with green spores.  Now every time I use it I have to remove the top layer across the entire pot...now, for the cost of these pots I don't feel that its very good value for money at all!!!! To be honest, only cut and dry goes into the pot and this is thrown away immediately after use.  I have tried to get replacements, but, several months on, no luck!!!

Do pop on over to the Tando blog and see what Joanne has created this week.  Do visit the Tando blog regularly as the dt and other featured bloggers do create some gorgeous pieces.

TFL xx

Tando Wednesday

Ever had one of those weeks when nothing has gone right? everything just seems to be an upward battle these last few days....this week's piece for Tando was supposed to be utee and beeswax and I was going to do a beeswax piece - had it all planned in my head....placed the beeswax pellets into the melt pan, switched it on, and made a coffee and then realised it had got far tooooooo hot!!! more beeswax ordered!! and when it comes I'll do the piece and watch what I'm doing!! lol

So, needless to say my pieces this week are utee!!

The first piece is on a journalling block, covered with two layers of clear utee and then coloured powders added to the top, when heated they all melt into a really rich colour - I've used a brown, blue and a rich raspberry (all cosmic shimmer) then I stamped into the image and when cool added inka gold.

this second piece I had planned for the beeswax! it uses another journalling block which was coloured using distress stains and then tissue paper adhered.....the edges were then covered with molten utee...when cool buttons and a tando cog was added.....

Joanne has created a totally gorgeous hanging this week you'll all love it...

Next week is our last week of techniques do hope you'll join us for that...

Have a good week

TFL xx

Tando Wednesday

so, Joanne and I are continuing to explore different techniques using the Tando white and grey boards - this Wednesday we are using paint.....

 I have used four wavy twinchies and painted them with acryllic paint before spritzing on paint and ink sprays and letting them run down the board.  This stamp, one of the first I ever bought, was then stamped ontop of the four twinchies and then coloured in using water colour paints and wax soluble pencils.  The edges were then sanded and coloured using distress inks and then a bit of gold dauber over the top.... then....

 I was mounted onto my board from last week.....watch this space for the next addition...

All of my pieces just lately are so dark and I really wanted to show how the white board reflects the colours of the paints...this piece was made using dylusions paint and ink spray...

see how vibrant the colour is....problem is what to do with it?? lolxx

Do pop on over to the Tando blog and see what Joanne has created - also have a browse thro' the blog and see what the other talented dt have created.

TFL

btw, Thank You to all that have enquired after Josh - unfortunately, Josh is no better and is still in hospital - they are awaiting delivery of a drug to try, so fingers crossed he'll soon be back home with us....xx