Art Deco Anniversary

Another commissioned card using an old Docrafts Art Deco pack. I have had these for years and every now and again I make a card with them. They are lovely images though I am less keen on the shiny papers these days. I prefer a matt paper.

I found a lovely font on my laptop, Asimov to use for the sentiment.  I coloured two wooden hearts with a Nuvo sparkle pen and used flowers from Wild Orchid and added some heart bunting.

Football

The lady who keeps ordering cards from me asked for another 9 cards.  She has been off work sick for some time and I assume isn't going out. She must send a lot of cards as these are for August. Luckily I had 7 suitable ones in my stock, just adding ages to a couple. I had to make a couple though. This is a 7x7 for her hubby.

I used a Hunkydory topper along with the old Docrafts Mr Mister papers. I picked out the green from the topper for the backing card and I found a matching leather strip in my stash.

We are off to visit my Mum today and take her to a local garden centre for a look round and to have some lunch, It will be her first outing since lockdown, apart from the occasional walk to the hairdresser or shops so I know she is looking forward to it. 

Hug in a Mug

I am really loving using some of my older stuff as much as if I bought new supplies.  There is a trend for making small A6 or slimline cards at the moment but I never liked making rectangular cards. When I first started cardmaking DL cards were very popular. I find square cards much esier to design.

This is a really old Forever Friends wooden stamp which I loved colouring with Copics. When I used to enter challenges there were a lot of sketch challenges and I always loved the ones with multiple papers. It is a great way of using scraps but not something you see people doing so much now. In fact many people don't use papers at all. I love mixing patterns and if you use papers from the same pad a lot of the time they will look good together. I used an old Dovecraft pack North Pole.  The sentiment is an old wooden stamp from Inkadinkadoo, the die is a MFT wonky stitched oval.

I am loving being in my fresh newly decorated craft room and have updated my craft room page with photos. Back tomorrow with a change from Christmas.

Snowy in the pink

When I was sorting through my stamps the other day I decided to stamp some of my Christmas Penny Black stamps. This is Snowy of course and I just had to stamp him a couple of times so expect to see him again soon. I coloured him with Copics and used lots of fun flock on his hat. The papers are American Crafts and the lattice fence die is MFT. I thought it would make a change to diecut the trees using oddments from the paper pad.I used white glitter card and a Memory Box stitched snowflake die.

Christmas Card making

Firstly welcome to all my new followers. I have a couple of new followers on Google and about 30 on Bloglovin' so thank you so much for joining me and please feel free to comment.

I really need to get cracking on more Christmas cards and now my craftroom is finished I really have no excuses. LOTV will be launching their Christmas range next month but in the meantime I am using one of the new all occasions penguins.  The papers are Lawn Fawn Winter Plaid and I diecut them then added some doodling. The snowflake die is a Joy ice crystal one.  I added some sparkle to the snowflakes on the image with a clear sparkle pen.

Back tomorrow with a snowman.

Craftroom is finished

Come on in. I am so pleased to have my room back freshly decorated and with a new carpet. The walls are pale grey instead of lilac. The radiator has been painted grey and of course I have my upcycled old pine bookcase, see yesterday’s post.

Stamp files looking prettier using up papers and labelled with a Brother printer. The box has my Christmas stamps in it.

Some of my treasured things on left of the top shelf.

Main desk

Above the smaller desk where I also use the laptop. My cross stitch taking pride of place.

Every space is filled.

My lovely unit from Storage 4 Crafts, a place for everything and everything in its place.

 My new trolley, they don’t do it in purple or grey so I choose another fave colour. I have wanted one of these for ages and didn’t think I had room but it fits in that space and can be wheeled to my desk when I want to colour,

Craftroom update

On Wednesday we picked up the new carpet for my craftroom and yesterday we started clearing the room again. This morning we emptied out the rest and the carpet fitter is coming at 11. I had this old pine bookcase in my room to store my stamps and I am delighted with the makeover.

Graham painted it using Frenchic paint, which so many people on Facebook have been recommending. He used an orbital sander then sugar soap before brushing two coats of paint using Frenchic alfresco greyhound.  I look forward to seeing it in the room which has been painted pale grey instead of the lilac. The grey looks lovely with the purple blind, chair and bunting. I will share some pictures at the weekend.

A Daisy for you

I made this card for a friend's Birthday using digis from the new LOTV Tea Party set. I added the butterfly and bunting from the extra elements to the Mice together digi.

Papers - MFT

Medium - Copics

Sentiment - LOTV teenage girls

Dies - Lawn Fawn  pierced rectangle and bunting, Hunkydory fabulous flowers, MFT stitched scalloped border

Butterfly - Poundland

This afternoon we will start emptying my craft room again ready for the new carpet to be fitted tomorrow.

Birthday penguin

I have used one of the new Birthday penguins from LOTV for today's card. I went for a lovely bright fun card to match the image.

Image - LOTV balloons

Medium - Copics

Papers - MFT stripes and stars oddment from stash.

Dies - Sizzix stars, MFT wonky stitched oval

Sentiment - LOTV

The Sizzix thinlets die is a really old one I suddenly remembered I had. I do like rediscovering and using some of my old products.

Today we are off to collect the new carpet for my craft room. yesterday Graham painted an old pin bookcase I have in my craft room to my stamps. Photos will follow once the room is completely finished.

Purple Rain

Everyone who knows the Prince song please sing along, purple rain, purple rain. When I bought the Bo Bunny Penny emporium papers and saw this purple paper with umbrellas on it I knew I had to use the purple splash background with this cute penguin. Both are from the new range at LOTV.  I used Copics and an old Memory Box umbrella die and MFT stitched clouds die. The sentiment is also from MFT.

I have another penguin to share with you tomorrow.

A trip to the hairdresser

Had a rare day in the city today. In the morning I had an appointment for a two year eye test and ordered some new glasses. Then we had a delicious lunch in a nearby restaurant before I headed to the hairdresser for a much needed haircut and colour. I couldn’t believe how much my hair had grown. The back was really irritating me that length as it refused to straighten or curl under.

I feel more like my old self again and it will be so much cooler.

Poorly penguin

I have used one of the just released digis from LOTV, coloured it with Copics  and teamed it with one of the handwritten sentiments. The papers are some new ones I bought on Facebook, Bo Bunny penny emporium.  I added a bow and some enamel dots and that seemed enough.

We had a lovely afternoon out yesterday visiting some gardens. Apart from the hand sanitising and avoiding people occasionally it almost felt normal.

Time for tea and cake

It feels so good to back in my craft room. There is just the bookcase to paint which Graham is going to do downstairs probably next week and then next Thursday afternoon and Friday morning we will be taking everything out again to have the carpet laid. At least we won't have to strip the shelves this time. I will take some photos once the carpet is down.

Si I had a play with some LOTV digis. The sentiment is from It's time to party set. I added the bunting, tepot and cakes from the new Tea Party set. The diecuts were made using Joy dies and I found some bunting ribbon in my stash which may be from Crafty Ribbons.  Back tomorrow with a penguin.

Sneak peek

I managed to get a card made as I didn't need access to much. The inky background is one of a range of new background digis which are perfect for people like me who don't do inky. I like to use papers for my cards but I do love these. They are transparent png files so you can merge images over them and then colour. The penguins are also from a new range. Both the background and penguins are from LOTV and will soon be available. I coloured the image with Copics, using a white wink of Stella pen on the snow and snowflakes. I diecut a banner using a die from The Works and glitter card and added some glittery enamel dots.

The craft room should be finished on Monday apart from the radiator and bookcase being painted so I hope to move back in on Tuesday. Next week I should have some cards to show you.

Hello

We had our first trip into Norwich yesterday as Graham had a haircut booked, lucky him. Mine is 20th July. We were both wondering how safe we would feel but it was quieter than normal. I didn’t feel like lingering in the shops but the few we did go in because we needed a few things were well prepared. One way systems, hand sanitiser everywhere and most people social distancing. We wore masks but the majority of people didn’t. Of those who did some wore them under their chins or under their noses which were no good at all. We even felt safe enough to have lunch in a small place we like. There were only two other couples in there and we were well spaced apart. Everything was sanitised before and after use and it was so nice to have a meal someone else had cooked.

Well whilst hubby is painting my craft room my stuff is spread between the craft room and spare room and I thought I would be able to work like that but I just can’t. I can’t get to lots of stuff easily, hate working in mess in a small space, my chair won’t move across the bedroom carpet and there is nowhere to put things whilst diecutting etc. So I decided the best thing is just to do some colouring. I have a box of images and my Copics and will at least have them ready to make into cards. I hope to be back sharing some cards with you very soon. 

Snowball fight

You may have seen a Humphrey card I made recently. I bought whilst I had the coloured toppers out I would use one of the Winter ones to make a Christmas card. I used Your Next Stamp Winter plaid papers and MFT layered snowflakes. The red and white striped wooden tree was left over from a plaque I made a couple of years ago.

My Christmas pile is very small so I really must try to get some more made. Crafting is a bit more challenging at the moment as my stuff is spread across two rooms whilst Graham is decorating. No decorating this weekend though, he will start again tomorrow.

Bluebells

I am really loving playing with these new Tea Party digis from Lili of the Valley. I love all the extra images which you can merge with the main images. I used Mouse and Rabbit and added the owl and bee. The extra are transparent pngs so easy to use. I custom rotated the bee to get him at the angle I wanted. I distressed the edges and added some doodling with a fineliner pen.

Medium - Copics

Papers - Maja Denim & Girls

Dies - Gummiapan leaf, Joy flowers, Doohickey tab

Lace - from stash

So more places can open from today. I know some restaurants aren't opening yet and many are opening with reduced hours. I just hope that people are sensible and the pubs aren't crowded but having seen the scenes on the beaches and at protests I think some people leave their common sense at home. We won't be venturing out particularly as people can now come on holiday from other parts of the country. Saying home and staying safe.

Scruffy Edward in the frame

I ordered some more frames for my cross stitch and when they came I was able to frame Scruffy Edward with his balloon, a cross stitch pattern from The Little Stitchery. I felt there was a lot of white space so added some star brads which I must have had about 10 years. I have used most of them over the years, they are good for felt snowmen's buttons. Back tomorrow with a card.

Tea party

The new tea party stamps from LOTV are out now at a very special offer. I used bunnie and mouse and added some bunting from the extras. I rotated the bunting as I wanted it to match either side. I coloured it with Copics using a MFT small cloud stencil for the sky. The papers are old oddments. I used Lawn Fawn bunting. The Works stitched square, MFT stitched scallop border and Crafts Too mushrooms and grass dies.

The craft room painting is coming along well. Graham has painted the airing cupboard door and frame, undercoated the other door and frame and painted the ceiling. I have some stuff in the spare room now so crafting is a bit of a challenge working between the two rooms. Once he starts doing some more painting in there it will get even more challenging. Luckily he has been painting the doors on a table in the conservatory so we haven't been in each other's way.

More beer

I was asked to make another card using the coloured printable from Pink Gem but this time for a 40th Birthday. I used various papers and a new Joy hinge die I bought from someone on Facebook.  I diecut it in kraft and added some vintage photo distress ink.

Apart from the few dies I bought from her craft clearout I think since lockdown I have only bought 2 other dies which were on offer at Dies to Die For and a pack of blank cards and envelopes from The Range. I am enjoying using up some of my older stash. I sorted my 6x6 paper pads out and discovered some I had forgotten about which had got to the bottom of the drawers.  The orange backing paper was in one of those pads.  I really want to use some of my old stamps when I get the chance.

Sneak peek

As well as the tea party initials Lil of the Valley are launching a set of cute mice and bunnies along with lots of little extras like butterflies and bunting so you can create your own scenes. I used Mouse and Bird along with one of the general sentiments. 

Medium - Copics

Dies - Go Kreate frilly 10, Memory Box clouds

Punches - Xcut  corner punch, MS fern, umbrella (no brand)

Flowers - Wild Orchid

papers - Crafters  Companion vintage lace

We are off to see my Mum this morning so that will be nice. Tomorrow Graham is going to paint my craft room ceiling so we will have to move some of the stuff out. As he is doing it rather than a decorator it means we don't have to have everything out at once. Crafting this week will be a bit more challenging though so will have to see how I get on depending upon where things are.

And the good news is I have an appointment for a haircut and colour on 20th July, hooray!

Keeping fit

I made this card for a friend who likes to keep himself fit and also likes a takeaway coffee. The backing paper is from First Edition and the striped paper from MFT. I used another Pink Gem coloured printable and added some wooden stars.  Keeping it simple.

Tea party

Lili of the Valley re launching a set of tea party initials in a few days. I added the end of the words from the Alphabears set. I coloured them with Copics and diecut with a Lawn Fawn pierced rectangle die. The flower dies are my much used Hunkydory fabulous florals. I bought a few dies from a crafting friend having a clear out on Facebook and love the stitched butterfly dies I bought from her. I don't know the make unfortunately.

I am not liking this hot weather though it was lovely indoors yesterday with windows open and fans going. We wen for a walk at 8 o'clock last night when it cooled down a bit outside.

21st Birthday commission

Another commissioned card asking for a 21st Birthday card.  I have used another coloured printable from Pink Gem.  I added some gold glitter to the wine glass for a bit of bling. The papers are Craftwork Cards edged with broken china distress ink. The guipuire lace and flowers are from Wild Orchid. I added a wooden butterfly coloured with the distress ink.

Keep calm and drink beer

I had an order for a card for a man who likes beer and remembered I have this Pink Gem coloured printable digi. I added the two sentiments which are part of the kit. The papers are First Edition Man Mad and Grand Plans. I added some hemp cord and threaded some buttons. 

Graham has decided he is going to decorate my craft room rather than waiting for when we can have a decorator in to do it. So today he is taking the airing cupboard door off and going to paint that in the conservatory. I said he doesn't need to do much this week as it is going to be very hot. At least by having him do it we don't need to strip the whole room out at once. It will just take longer for him than a professional decorator but that doesn't matter.

Beach babes

I had a request to make a few more cards from someone who normally buys from me at the hospital craft fair.  She asked for a beach scene with bunting. I wondered what to use and came across some old Humphrey's corner coloured images from Crafter's Companion. I have had these for years and now I have found them I think I will be using some more. I always loved the cute elephant images.

I used First Edition Beyond the Shore papers, some old glitter bunting, enamel dots, an old Craftwork Cards sentiment and used a seagull die.

Bunny moon

This is the baby card my friend asked me to make. She wanted a special card so I made a 7x7 card using a coloured simply print from Lili of the Valley. The backing paper is Trimcraft Pretty Posies, lace from Crafty Ribons, ribbon from stash and flowers from Wild Orchid. I used a Fiskars tag punch and paper from MFT to make the little banners. The baby banner was made with a Memory Box die and MFT paper.  I used weathered wood distress ink around the edges, added some cheesecloth, enamel dots and pearl heart pins. I also used a clear sparkle pen on the moon, stars and flowers.

Another Teddy

This is another of the new digis from Lili of the Valley which I used on a card for a friend. I coloured it with Copics using chalk and a MFT cloud stencil for the sky which doesn't actually show too much in the photo.  The papers are MFT and the flower dies are Tim Holtz small tattered flowers which I also coloured with Copics.

We had our first visit to the coast since lockdown and it really lifted our spirits to see and hear the sea. It was very quiet, unlike the weekend I am told. We had a lovely walk along the prom and enjoyed a takeaway lunch. I had a freshly made crab salad sandwich and it was delicious and such a change from preparing a meal ourselves.  The weather was nice, not too hot and then we went to see some friends in their garden, social distancing of course. They had asked me to make a baby card so I took that round and will share that with you tomorrow.  It almost felt like a normal day yesterday.

James and butterflies

I made this one for a friend whose Birthday was yesterday. It is of course James and butterflies from Lili of the Valley. I coloured him with Copics and used paper from The Works.  The sentiments are digis from LOTV. I coloured the toadstool diecuts with Copics too and added white dots using a gel pen. The dies are MFT lattice fence, Your Next Stamp border and Crafts Too toadstools. I also added some wooden butterflies.  I also used a MFT small cloud stencil for the sky.

Golden Wedding #3

This is the last of the Golden Wedding cards I made, this one for my friend to give her husband. I used a large coloured simply print from LOTV called mouse and champagne as the card is 8x8.  I diecut the image with a Go kreate frilly #10 die and inked the edges with wild honey DI.  I used paper from LOTV and added some burlap. I found some gold glitter washi tape in my stahs and used the Dovecraft adhesive gold glitetr card again with a large heart die. I added a few of the waste hearts around the image.  I kept it quite simple as it was for a male, personally I don't like adding flowers to male cards.