Andy with tablet

Thank you for your lovely comments on my hearts. I couldn't believe I sold them a few minutes after showing them on Facebook. Another friend wants a hedgehog one for her Mum. 

Janet at Pink Gem asked the former DT for ideas for new images and somebody suggested children playing with tablets so her is Andy with tablet.  I used the coloured digi for speed as I have a lot to make at the moment.  I used some old Lawn Fawn papers, Daisy Mae torn edge stitched rectangle die and a Fiskars tag punch.

We are going out for the day today, starting with a breakfast at our favourite cafe in Wroxham and the to some gardens which have lots of azaleas and rhododendrons and also a classic car show today.  We haven't been to these gardens for so many years so looking forward to it. It is so nice to see places open again and events planned for the year.

 

Hearts

 I love my new hobby and bought some more napkins and ceramic items. These are the hearts I did yesterday.  I showed them on Facebook and sold them immediately. I have made some cards too so will be sharing some soon.

Meeting friends for lunch today at a local garden centre and buying some plants. We planned to do some gardening this morning but it looks like it may rain. The garden needs it but it could wait until we have tidied the garden.

Our garden

 This morning I plan to get into the craft room and make some cards. In the meantime here are a few photos from our garden. The first roses are out and this one has huge flowers which smell amazing. 

Ready for today

I haven’t made any cards this week but have been busy making these. I am at Dunelm today with my stall inside the shop. A very new experience and no other crafters to compete with. Let’s hope Dunelm’s customers like my things.

I do like trying new crafts and I am really loving this one.

LOTV Wedding launch

Lili of the Valley are launching some lovely new Wedding stamps on May 12th.  If you are a fan you will remember their lovely Wedding couple with the groom striding it out.  They have been updated and I think look a little more grown up.

I coloured them with Copics and used some old LOTV romance and roses papers, lace from Crafty Ribbons, cheesecloth, ribbons, flowers from Wild Orchid. a LOTV sentiment and a couple of heart dies along with my Daisy Mae torn edge stitched rectangle die.

Butterflies

 

Well after the rain the sun came out yesterday so we were able to go the garden centre and then come home to redo some of our pots. The Spring plants and bulbs went in the garden and the pots are now ready for Summer. It turned really hot whilst we doing some tidying in the garden. Much warmer than forecast. I do hope we aren’t in for a hot Summer as neither of us like the heat.

I mentioned I bought a couple of ceramic butterflies at Hobbycraft. Well here they are decoupaged with some new napkins I bought on Ebay. I look for pretty napkins everywhere we go now. The garden centres are very good for them though they are packs of 20 whereas the ones on Ebay come in packs of 4. I am getting a nice collection of them. I am planning to do some more decoupaging today but first we are going out for breakfast.

New LOTV launch

This is one of the lovely new stamps from the new Lili of the valley launch of Wedding stamps coming on 12th May.  I thought it was perfect for an Anniversary card.  I coloured it with Copics and I must say I am really pleased with the way his jacket turned out.  I used a Daisy Mae torn edge stitched ocal and cut off the bottom.

The papers are First Edition Butterfly Kisses and the sentiment is an old stamp from LOTV.

Gorgeous day here yesterday. Dull and a little drizzle at the moment. Supposed to just be cloudy. We are off the garden centre this morning.

More decoupaged gifts

 

These are the decoupaged gifts I made on Monday. A white vase and two more wooden hearts. I really love the textured effect any little wrinkles on the napkins give. Having watched the videos they said the wrinkles give more texture and I agree. Once sealed they don’t look like wrinkles just a really nice feel to them.  I bought a couple of small ceramic butterflies from Hobbycraft yesterday and have lots more things I am going to revamp. I can’t wait for my napkins to arrive from Ebay.

Another snowman

I am pleased to have made another Christmas card, first one for May.  It's another Lili of the Valley snowman coloured with Copics.  I used a MFT stitched rounded corner die and my corner punch.  The paper is last year's First Edition and I added a postcard from a Bo bunny pack, some old stars from Hobbycraft and a LOTV sentiment.

I made another card yesterday which I can't share with you yet and a vase and two plaques which I decoupaged.  I have ordered some more napkins from Ebay as I can't find many pretty ones locally.  They should be here later this week so looking forward to having another play.

 

Learning a new craft

I said the other day that I was going to learn how to do another craft.  Well I have wanted to learn how to decoupage items for a long time.  So I watched some very helpful Youtube videos and yesterday I made these.  Graham was out all day so I had plenty of time to play.

The methods are nothing like I thought they would be so good job I looked at Youtube before having a go.  I started with a simple small heart and for this one you use the top layer of a napkin and paste the Mod Podge on top of the paper.  Once dry I sanded the excess off and added another coat of Mod Podge to seal.

I then moved on to the box.  I have several boxes which I previously decorated after Graham panted them.  I used ribbon, lace and flowers and they sold well.  However they don't seem to sell now so I removed all the decoration and decoupaged it. You do this with a different method using lots of pieces of torn one layer napkins.  Who knew? Well I didn't.

I then did the same thing with a large heart, block and pen/brush holder.  There are some wrinkles but the tutors on the videos said that doesn't matter as it adds to the texture.  I must admit it does give a nice crackle effect. 

I loved making these.  They took longer than I thought but were so much more enjoyable than I expected.  I'm sure my technique will improve too.

Graham is out driving the rescue boat at the powerboat racing again today so a cardmaking day is planned.

Roses gift bag

 A simple gift bag using a coloured simply print from Lili of the Valley. I used some older papers, lace and roses. The tag was cut with a tag punch which I find really useful and quick to use. I added some sparkle to the roses with a clear sparkle pen.

We are going out today, starting at a jigsaw festival in Suffolk then stopping at a lovely restaurant and farm shop on the way home where we will have lunch.

Graham is driving the rescue boat on Sunday and Monday at the powerboat racing so I will have two days to myself. I shall mainly be crafting apart from some ironing, a necessary chore. I am trying a new craft which I will share with you soon. 

Another Christmas Card!

Two in two days, whoopee. I was colouring an image I can't share with you yet and decided to colour a couple of the lovely LOTV snowmen too.  I coloured him with Copics adding snow with a white gel pen.  The paper is Bo Bunny Altitude.  

The sentiment is LOTV.  I added some texture with some old raffia lace which I used to use a lot, some silver glittery ribbon, wooden trees from Hobbycraft a few years ago, a wooden snowflake and an oddment of a diecut using my fave Doohickey fence die.  I added some doodling with a black fineliner pen and then covered most of it up 😂.

 

Finally another Christmas card

This is only my fourth Christmas card I have made so far this year which is a bit slow so I need to get a wiggle on and get some made.  I decided to try a Winter scene with the Card-io tree stencil I recently bought.  I am really pleased with how this turned out.  I used chipped sapphire and salty ocean distress oxides.  I used it it very lightly around where I wanted the moon to be.  I made a circle stencil with acetate and a small circle die and used white ink for the moon.

I added some lines to the tree using a black fineliner pen and created the scene using Card-io stamps.  The new texture stamps which I used for the grass are absolutely invaluable and if you like Card-io stamps and haven't bought these I urge you to do so.  I am using them a lot as they really add so much to the scene.  I used the grass stamp from the set, masking it off in places.

Under the ivy

Thanks for your lovely comments on my pocket hugs both here and on Facebook. I find nowadays I very often get more likes and comments on FB than on here, probably because it is so much quicker.  I really appreciate those who take the time to visit my blog as I know how much time it takes to visit and comment.  I cut out several more yesterday as I sold some already.

I have another Card-io card to share today.  I used another new stencil, which I coloured with Distress Oxides.  I am really loving these and ordered three more.  I managed to sell some of my part used distress inks, blending tools and rotating stand as a job lot on Facebook.  I had several I never use so would rather sell them and buy the oxides.  I have kept all the ones I do use.

I created the scene using a Lawn Fawn mini cloud die and salty ocean distress oxide.  The greens are rustic wilderness and mowed lawn.  I used some of my new Card-io stamps to make the scene.

Pocket Hugs

 

I have had this idea rolling around in my brain for a few months and finally got round to making these. I love sewing different things and they are a great way of using up scraps of felt and materials. I diecut the hearts and happily sew them in the evenings whilst watching TV. I am hoping they will be popular at craft fairs and in Prima Rosa, the vintage cafe/gift shop where I sell some of my items.

I popped them on Facebook last night and sold some straight away so will have to make more.

New stencil

So I unexpectedly had some crafting time yesterday and had another try at using my new tree stencil from Card-io.  I said in an earlier post I had watched a Youtube tutorial from Laura Wenn, one of the Card-io DT.  I was pleased with some of my first effort but not entirely happy, certainly not good enough to put onto a card.

So I had another go.  I discovered repositional tape runner which is a revelation for making these cards.  I used it on the back of the stencil and it held it in place much better than using bits of washi tape as I had done before.

I learnt a lot of tips from the tutorial, some I liked and some techniques I didn't so ignored those this time.  The tutorial had a little boy under the tree but I decided to go with hares.  I made a stencil for the moon using a circle die and a piece of acetate.

I could have added some shading under the grass and hares but as I was happy with it didn't want to mess it up at the last minute.  I will definitely be having another go with different colours.  I also bought the ivy stencil so hoping to try that out on Saturday.  

One of the best purchases was definitely the texture stamp set which I used for the leaves, grass and flowers.  This is a must have for Card-io fans.  It adds so much to the picture.

Rainbow bear

I have another of the new coloured simply prints from Lili of the Valley on today's card.  This one is rainbow bear.  I used another of my new Daisy Mae die along with some old Cheery Lynn toadstools, ribbon from stash and a butterfly punch.

I had a lovely play with a new stencil and Card-io stamps following a youtube video on Tuesday afternoon.  It was a great learning exercise and although I am not happy with all of the finished work I learnt a lot so will be having another go. I have kept the one I did so I can see what I like about it and what I don't or didn't quite work as well as it should.

Graham has a training day on Saturday ready for the start of the powerboat season so I will have a crafting day.  The divers and rescue team who are all volunteers have to practice getting the divers out of the water, boat handling etc so he will be enjoying himself as will I at home.

 

Perfect Day

Thank you for all your lovely comments on Mum's painting.  Carol said she hoped I would frame it but it is a canvas so Mum has to varnish it and then it will be hanging in her lounge.

Today's card uses one of several new coloured simply prints from Lili of the Valley.  This one is perfect day.  The paper is First Edition Butterfly Kisses.  I used a new Daisy Mae oval die and and old Doohickey fence, one of my most used dies and some old butterfly dies.

Off to have my nails done this afternoon.  I think I have decided what to go for this time.  I love the purple and daisies I currently have.

 

Mum’s painting

 Regular visitors may know that my Mum decided to take up painting with acrylics in 2020 age 87. She hadn’t painted since she was 15. She had 4 lessons and then we went into lockdown. We had shown her how to use Youtube on her Ipad so she set about learning to paint.

Lessons resumed again a while ago and her latest work is an interpretation of part of her back garden which is covered in bark for ease.

I think she has done an incredible job and once she has varnished it then it will be hanging on her lounge wall.

Owls and elephants

 

It is ages since I made any of these but as I have sold out of owls and only have one elephant left I thought I had better make some more for today’s craft fair. I love sewing them so will be cutting some more out and making more for stock.

Have a lovely day. Hope the sun is shining for you.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter everyone.  This is the card I made for my Mum which I can now share.  I combined two of the new lambs from the latest LOTV release and coloured them with Copics.  The papers are Liliybee Sweet Shoppe.  I used a new Daisy Mae rectangle die and flowers from Wild Orchid.  The sentiment is LOTV.

Today we will be doing the housework then this afternoon helping to set out the tables and chairs for tomorrow's craft fair.  This means we can set up our stall so we don't have to get there early tomorrow to set up.  It is a large craft fair at a local school with an Easter Egg hunt.  We normally do well there so fingers crossed.

 

Card for a friend

A friend of mine lost her Mum so I wanted to make her a sympathy card.  Her Mum was 96 and had a fall so was taken into hospital.  Unfortunately after being in there for a little while with arrangements made for her to go home with 24 hour care she died in hospital.

I think sympathy cards should be kept fairly simple and I wanted to make a personalised card for my friend.  She loves nature and helps to rescue hedgehogs so I made a simple wreath card and added a hedgie to the bottom.  The sentiment is Inkylicious.

I ordered some more stamps, stencils and inks from Card-io after seeing so many lovely cards on theor Facebook group.  I haven't had time to use them yet though.  I have been busy sewing, chores and sorting out my stuff ready for my next craft fair on Saturday.

Yesterday we had a trip out for back massages and lunch and today we are visiting my Mum, going our for lunch and then food shopping.

 

Bunny hoop blossom

 

As you know I love cross stitching particularly the cute designs from The Little Stitchery, part of Lili of the Valley. I used similar colours to the suggested ones as I have so many threads. 

Sunday’s craft fair wasn’t great but luckily I had one customer who loved my goods and spent £22. I had a sale basket with things I made ages ago, many of them the last ones left of things I don’t make any more and she bought several of those. Part of the problem was people unable to get fuel so worried about travelling. We haven’t done a fair there before so have crossed that one off the list. We managed to get some petrol yesterday but our usual garage was out of stock again. There were huge queues at the petrol stations at the weekend.

So this little chap will be going on my stall on Saturday at my next craft fair. This one is one I have done a few times and has always been good so fingers crossed.

Vintage car

Another commissioned card for a garage owner.  I have an old map in my stash which I love cutting up to use as backgrounds for car cards.  I distress it with vintage photo distress ink and ripped edges.  The image is one from a pack I bought a craft show years ago,  The chipboard embellishments are also some I have had a long time.  The sentiment is from Stamposaurus and the mileage circle from a Tim Holtz ephemera pack.

I have another carft fair today, a venue I haven't done before so hoping it is a good one.  It is from 11-3 so a nice time to finish.  We will be home before 4 and will be enjoying a cottage pie we made yesterday which just needs reheating and serving with gravy and a bottle of wine.

Little gardener

Another commissioned card this time using a coloured simply print digi from Lili of the Valley.  The vintage boys are some of my favourites.  I used First Edition gardenia papers and various dies including MFT stitched clouds and Marianne wheelbarrow and watering can.

 

Sugar Nellie makes a comeback

This was another commissioned card and I used an old Sugar Nellie digi.  I love Sugar Nellie and have lots of their stamps and digis.  I coloured her with Copics and felt a bit out of practice colouring hair but am really pleased with how this turned out.  The papers are First Edition and I used some old paper flowers and a Lawn Fawn stitched circle die.

 

Another football card and a total donation figure

I finally got time to sit at the laptop and schedule some posts. I get asked for a lot of football cards by my friend who orders every month.This time I used the coloured digi of Footballer Dave from Pink Gem. As she wanted a red kit I coloured it with Copics.  The backing paper is MFT and I used a last scrap of football paper from a very old paper pad.

I used a stitched square die from The Works, a couple of star punches and some scrabook numbers along with some baker's twine.  I must use this more as I have loads of it in various colours.  I went a bit mad buying it years ago and don't use it enough.

I made 50 0f my brooches for Ukraine hoping to raise £50 but as they quickly sold I made another 17 as that was all the brooch pins I had.  Thanks to generous donations as well as selling all the brooches I raised £147.10 which I sent to the Red Cross appeal yesterday.

 

Busy weekend

 What a busy weekend with no time to switch on the laptop to share my latest cards with you. I am planning to do that later today.

It started with a craft fair on Saturday which was a lovely day with plenty of customers. A couple of people I haven’t seen for ages popped in. One came specifically to buy a glasses case and I sold her a matching handbag tissue holder too.

Yesterday morning we went to help to sell at our community jumble sale to raise funds for Ukraine. We chose to sell books and soft toys. The amount of stuff to sell was amazing so prices were very low to sell as much as we could. I was so encouraged to see how many children wanted books.

These pictures were before we opened the doors.

The first hour was manic as people had started queuing half an hour before we opened. We raised £2140 which was more than we all expected. Some people were very generous and others waited for their 10p change having bought 3 books at 30p each and given £1. 

We then came home for a couple of hours before heading to Cromer with friends,  a walk along the prom before a meal and a brilliant 60’s show on the pier.

Spot the two spelling mistakes on their backdrop.

Daisy nails

 I had gel nails done a few times and have been so pleased with them I now have them done regularly.  I thought I would show you the ones I had done yesterday.

Before I had them done the first time I read a lot about them as I didn’t want anything which would damage my nails. I have always loved having polish on my nails but the process of doing them at home is time consuming and after a few days they chip and I have to redo them. I regularly break nails too so end up with some shorter than others.

These just stay perfect, my nails don’t break and all that happens is my nails grow so after about three weeks I have the old polish removed, my nails filed shorter, cuticles tidied and gel polish applied. It also enables me to try out different colours as I couldn’t have such a range of colours at home.

Watching her paint them nail art is fascinating. It is the first time I have had this done. She uses a tool like a small ended embossing tool to apply the yellow dots. Then applies the white dots for the petals and pulls out the dots to form lines.

Last Mother's Day card

This is the last of the Mother's Day cards for this year.  This was another of the three a friend asked me to make.  I went for a soft lavender and blue colour scheme which I really like.  Again I created the sentiment on the laptop and used Card-io stamps all around it.  The 7" card gave me scope to use some of the larger flower stamps.