Decoupage Delights...An Upcoming Project.

Well I'm back again..lol. One of the things that I asked lots of times is how I come up with all the different ideas for cards. It's really hard to answer, so I thought that the easiest way to explain is to show you. All the images that I'm going to use are from the wonderful cdrom..Vintage Christmas 1 and 2....brought to us crafters by the fabulous Decoupage Delights.

I love these three different images for very different reasons...they are all very different but come from the same amazing cdrom. The top one I love because of the cute dog image...the second because it is a very traditional image which a lot of my customers always ask for and the one below is something that reminds me of Christmas time in my own childhood.

So I have a plan. Next Wednesday I will have made these fabulous images into Christmas cards. That way hopefully you will be able to see where I started to where I end up.
There are so many wonderful images on this cdrom. Even though it's called Vintage..it doesn't mean that you can only make vintage type cards.It would all depend on which way you take it. The middle card, I will definitely keep vintage and classic but I think that I will play around with the others. And you know that the glitter will be making an appearance...lol
I hope that you will pop back next Wednesday so that I can explain my process. I will be back tomorrow with a new design team make for A Step In the Dark. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting.

JB-Crafting Supplies....The Christmas Sheep

Today's make is a design team make for the fabulous JB-Crafting Supplies. I just had to share these fabulous sheep, brought to us by Hobby Art. There is just something about the faces on these sheep. Living where I do..most of the sheep round here actually do look like this most of the time. I shall be playing with these stamps at the weekend, playing with different colourways and different looks. 
For this card, I first picked two papers from my stash and layered them both onto purple card. I then created an oval scene for the sheep to be in front of. For the sheep, I stamped them out with my memento ink pad and then coloured them with my copic pens. I finally cut them out and glued them to the front of the card. I of course just had to add some glitter..lol
The weather here in the mountains is glorious today...what a change. The sun is shining and all the cats have decided to go out. There is some serious sun bathing going on, on the studio roof. I also have some news. It has turned out that Flossie is expecting kittens. So I'm even more annoyed with the people that dumped her. She has already had a litter before she came here and now it turns out that they let her out without even bothering to get her doctored. She is doing well though and is in good health. When she has had these kittens and they have been weaned, I will be making sure that she is doctored. As I type she is curled up asleep and I can see her tummy moving to it's own tune. I have moved her to a larger pen, so she has plenty of room. I get so any with people..there was no need for them to get a cat if they didn't intend to do their best for her. She is so pretty and so affectionate...she didn't deserve to be treated like she has. I will keep you all updated.
Well the coffee is calling and I've lots of lovely work to do. I've already decided that it's chicken curry for dinner tonight. It's what a term as an easy dinner. I made a sponge pudding for pudding...an old fashioned syrup sponge. It was so nice. What's your favourite pudding? I have a really sweet tooth. My friend Sunshine makes the most delicious brownies...I'm lucky enough to be sent some occasionally.My friend Pretty also makes some wonderful makes at Christmas...I must remember to put my order in early..lol. As the caffeine is calling..take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery...Navy Girls

Today's cards here are all design team makes for the fabulous team over at Jiggery Makery. I just adore all the ladies that Adele makes and have serious figure envy..lol. I thought it would be fun today to share the ladies with a navel theme. There are new ladies on the design team and they are creating some wonderful cards..why not pop over to the Jiggery Makery facebook page and take a look. They take my breath away. Always a wonderful source of inspiration.

 And the same lady again but in a different colourway...just because I could. Oh how I wish I had long legs like this. Oh to dream...

All my cards have been coloured using both my copics and my promarkers. I tend to mix and match, depending what mood I'm in. My collection of pens sit in boxes by my side..so they are always at hand. But as I sit here I also notice that my acrylic paints, pearlescent paints and my watercolours are within reach....I can admit to being a bit of a colouring fan..lol. The great thing about Adele's ladies is that you can colour the fabulous outfits whatever you decide. It's like the dress designing I loved to do as a child.

And for a bit of fun...I have included this lady...because she's in the drink..lol

Well I'm off again and intend to get a coffee. Flossie is now on the upper floor of her duplex. As soon as it was put in place..she was on it...even before her blanket was up there. Now she has her blankie and is curled up asleep...and quiet for once. All the others are outside..so peace finally reigns. I hope that you all have a great weekend and that the weather remains fine. I've just been told that it's supposed to get colder..but as a woman of a certain age..it doesn't bother me..lol. Anyway whatever happens..take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center....Oddball Art

Today's card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge has just begun, which will run for the next week. The theme is 'Rip it up, Tear it up'.

 We are so lucky this week to have been sponsored by the great team over at Oddball Art Stamps. So many great designs...why not pop over and take a look at their etsy shop.

On my card, to create the background I began with a piece of dark blue card. I then took 4 pieces of co-ordinating paper, ripping them into strips and added them onto the blue card. I then took my image and coloured it with my promarkers, cut it out and then mounted it onto some more of the co-ordinating paper and mounted that onto another piece of the dark blue card. I then cut some arrows out of one of the papers and used them to point to the sentiment, which I also had mounted onto some of the blue card. It is an unusual make for me but I so enjoyed it and I know lots of people who would find this really funny. Sometimes it's just so nice to step out of your comfort zone and see what you can create.
The sun is shining here in the mountains and all the cats have gone out. A little peace but who knows just how long it will last..lol. I've found myself really down this week..but I've come to expect it every so often. I think that it must be part of the grieving process but it certainly drains me when it comes upon me. The hardest thing that I find is trying to find a way to get my mind out of the fug. Thank goodness for crafting. I've arranged a whole weekend of workto keep me busy. If in doubt..craft...lol.
Well the coffee is calling and Virgo has just arrived to fit Flossie with a sleeping platform. So I'd better go and sort Flossie out. So until later..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....Cats in a Pile

Today's card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at a Snowflakes Promise Challenge Blog. As with every challenge, this is the place to enter your Christmas cards and makes. There is also a facebook page.

A new challenge has just begun and will run for the next fortnight. This challenge we have been so lucky to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at Eureka Stamps. It's so worth going over and taking a look at what they have for sale. There is some wonderful inspiration.

For my card, I have coloured my digi...which is called Cat.r.Pilla...with my promarkers. I then went over the lights with my glossy accents. I also added some tinsel flake glitter. I mounted the image onto some red card and added that to a card which I had layered some Christmas paper onto some more red card. I added a small border to which I added a little string of lights. I also added a greeting.
The weather here is just about normal...it's raining..lol. All the cats have decided to stay in..they have all found themselves cosy places to lie and seem to have settled in for the day. At the moment I have Jeffrey lay on my legs and he is about to be moved, as there is a lot of weight contained in that one cat..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and I've lots to do. My most hated thing to do today is pay my bill for BT. Their service is so bad..every time I do pay them, I'm feeling angry because what we all have to pay for in this village. No advice, no help just the worst service in Britain. They always say that things will be so much better once we get super fibre..ignoring the fact that we've paid over the odds for the worst service. But enough moaning from me..the upcoming caffeine will no doubt help my mood..lol. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

Jiggery Makery...Dancing Queens

Today's cards are all design team makes for the wonderful Jiggery Makery. All these fabulous ladies are available to buy from Jiggery Makery and all created with the pen of the very talented Adele. What strikes me about Adele's work is the fact that she manages to give all the ladies very distinct personalities.

If you get the chance why not pop over and take a look at all the wonderful ladies. While you're there, check out the fabulous creations that the other ladies on the design team have made. They are all so talented and have their own variations. It always amazes me that we can all be given the same image..yet we will all create something very different. I think that's why it's so good having a team all coming up with their own designs. Sometimes I can look at a a creation and that will spur me on to create something very different.

All the ladies above, I can imagine that they're all into dancing but in very different eras. First the 50's then the 60's and perhaps the last lady is from recent years. With the love of Strictly Come Dancing in the last few years...it's great being able to make very different cards for dancing friends whatever their favourite type of music.
As you've probably guessed BT were not playing last night. It seems to me that on a Friday as all the second homers start to arrive..my internet just gets worse and worse.It annoys me so much..I'm always so near to throwing the computer through the window..but luckily for me, there is always a cat in the way..lol
And speaking of the cats..we have been busy altering the pens around. Now Flossie is in a bigger pen, lying on a lovely pink fleece. I'm hoping that the large cupboard will soon be shelved and then finally I will be able to put all my plastic boxes away. I've only been waiting for 20 years..lol. Hopefully the cats will not be able to get in once the doors shut properly. I can only live in hope..lol.
Well the coffee is calling and I have a pile of work to do. And a lot to organise. I hope that you will over and take a look at the wonderful Jiggery Makery fb page. I also hope that you all have a fabulous weekend and the weather is kind to you all. So until the next time...take care and happy crafting

Left of Center....The Halloween Cat

Todays cards are design team makes for the wonderful team over at the Left of Center Creative Challenges. A new challenge is due to start and the theme is No Designer Papers. An unusual one but gives you lots of opportunities to make your own backgrounds. I hope you will pop over and take a look at all the fabulous makes from the other ladies on the team.

We are lucky enough this week to have two sponsors. The image above is from the great team at All Dressed Up.

The image above is from the other wonderful sponsor.....Lacy Sunshine. I know so many young girls would love to receive this card..they're a little bit goth, a little strange but at the same time would love the fact that this is not a run of the mill card. And with Halloween coming up..what a great Halloween card for someone who goes all out at that time of year.

Both of the cards have had the images coloured with my promarkers. I kept the card with the little girl and the cat on very simple and I think that it adds to the cuteness of the card. I think that it would be a lovely card for a youngster who was just starting to enjoy Halloween. On the second card I created the backing paper by adding some ink and mica powders to a piece of beige paper. It shimmers in the light. The new challenge is the perfect opportunity to have a play and create a backing paper yourself. It has been all change in the house today. Flossie has been moved into a bigger pen and the emergency pen has been put back onto the landing. I do like to have an emergency pen just in case...you never know when you're going to need one. When Sprout comes in on 3 legs..he can go into the pen and have a quiet time. Oh and while I remember...let me share Prettys picture of Jeffrey

So here he is..lol. As you can see, he has two little white spots on his head. This was from he was a kitten and decided that he didn't like the noise of the kettle and thought he would take it on. Consequently he scalded himself and lost a little bit of hair. When it grew back it grew back white and has remained that colour ever since. When he was smaller it was the best way to recognise him in a house of mainly black cats..but now with the size of him...there is no doubt who has just stomped his way past..lol Well the coffee is calling and I'll be back later with some more design team makes. So until then....take care and happy crafting

Decoupage Delights...Glamorous Ladies

Today's cards are all design team makes for the wonderful company of Decoupage Delights. These are all designs from the fabulous cdrom..Marlene..Fashion and Flowers. I absolutely adore this cd both for the images and the backing paper.

 As most of you know..I do have a passion for vintage fashions and a special love for large Edwardian hats. I'm sure at some point I will have an occasion to buy myself such a hat..lol

I love the variety of designs and the fashions. I just love the paper on the card below.

And the exciting news is that the image, backing paper and insert that I've used on the card below is going to be a freebie at the end of the week on the Decoupage Delights fb page. So keep your eye out ready to claim your free download. I would want this so much just for the backing paper. I have found this backing paper so useful for a number of projects.

The weather is lovely here in the mountains today. Let me say this very slowly...the sun is actually shining..lol. For those of you who know the valley..you know just how unusual this is. Probably just as I'm saying this..the clouds will be gathering. I've spent the morning filing all my projects for the next month into the areas that they need be. I've also added all to my ring binder..which without I would be lost. It holds all info on my design teams, sponsors and the dates that they are due. I have to admit to somedays I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing. With my head, all the projects that I'm in the middle of and all the needs of the animals..depending on what type of night that I've had.. I can wake up and not have a clue what day it is...let alone what I'm supposed to be doing. I've made a list for the weekend work. I'm hoping that next week I will be able to go back into the studio and find my sewing machine. I have a number of projects in mind. Well the coffee is calling..and the sun is still shining..lol. And Sparkle has just arrived..so I might even get it made for me. So until next time...take care and happy crafting. Oh and don't forget to claim your freebie from Decoupage Delights.

Jiggery Makery.....Flower time

Today's makes are all design team makes for the fabulous Jiggery Makery. I did try to share all this with you all but BT were just not playing. I don't know whether it's the influx of second homers that affects my broadbrand so badly but Friday night can be the worst time ever. For my makes today I have used the flowers that Adele has designed. The apron reminds me of one that I had made for me in the 70s..it was made out of denim and a floral material. It takes me back.

For my next make I decided to make a handbag. I decided to keep to the same colours because I thought that they worked well together. And for my final make I decided to use a different one of Adele's flowers.

Both of these bags were made using different handbag templates which I have had in my stash for ages..and which I do forget about..until I have a tidy up..lol. Both of the handbags are suitable to be used as gift bags as they actually work as bags and not just fronts. I think they would look lovely as wedding favours..you could make them to match in with the colours of the wedding.
The weather has certainly changed. Today it's raining and windy...so really just a normal day here in the mountains. I always think that one of the reasons I became a crafter was because it rains just so much here...lol. All the cats are inside and choosing their special places to relax, apart from Rave who is determined to sit on the studio roof between showers. She has been in and out like a yo you since breakfast. I'm sure it's because she is being nosey.
Well the coffee is calling and I think that over this weekend I'm going to do some drawing...something that I haven't done for a while.I will share it if it works out. This afternoon I will be watching the youngsters Great North Run. A little baby that I held in my arms and that Henry fed his weetabix to is running. I can only wish her luck, knowing that Henry will be looking down on her. So until next time..I hope that you have a great weekend..no matter what the weather...take care and happy crafting.

Left of Center.....The Coffee Owl

Todays canvas is a design team make for the great team over at Left of Center Creative Challenges. This is destined to sit somewhere in my kitchen. It features two of my well known favourite things...owls and coffee. Both of which have a special place in my heart and in my life. The owl had to be an orangy colour in memory of Henry and you will all know my need for caffeine..lol

The new challenge for this week is to use diecuts or punches in some way. We have been lucky enough this week to have been sponsored by the great team over at Bugaboo Digi Stamps. If you get the chance..pop over to their digi store and take a look at all the fabulous images that they have available...it's always a great source of inspiration and ideas.

For my canvas, I painted the canvas itself orange and then drew the tree and leaves as a background. I then painted some paper in different shades of green and then used that to die cut all the leaves. I did all the painting with my acrylics. I then coloured the owl with my promarkers and cut it all out. I added that to the canvas and then added the sentiment. Which of course I think is just about right..lol.
It's quite a nice day today here in the mountains. It's a bit breezy as well..but I quite like that. All the creatures are well. As I've said before, the new cat Flossie is quite a talker..well now Twinkle has begun calling again..so it's like having it in stereo..lol. Their pens are next to each other and it's so funny when they're both having something to say. There is a blanket between them...a bit like a curtain, which they keep moving to the side so that they can see each other. Icabod has retired to the sleeping quarters of the duplex..for a bit of quiet I think. He lives his life with a noisy female ..and I have to say he does love her..but now he's got a noisy neighbour as well. Speaking of neighbours..I think that I'm going to have a bit of a moment with mine. I don't use the back garden because of steps but still I think they have taken a step too far with me. Without even speaking to me they have built on to their gutter and placed new gutter down my steps which now directs their own waste water down my steps to the bottom of my house. They have their own drain and manhole cover but have chosen to make all the water land by my house. How dare they. My friend found this out when he went to check things. They didn't even ask if they could do it or if they couldn't even come into my garden..they probably assumed that I wouldn't notice because I don't go out there. Well I would have known any way when my house started to flood. I'm fuming but yet don't know what to do. I will let you know what happens in the next week or so.
Well the coffee is calling and I've got some work to do. It's lasagna and salad for tea tonight. I cooked the meat sauce yesterday..so it's just a matter of assembly tonight. It was my favourite summer dinner last night..fish with new potatoes and salad. It won't be long before I'm in soup and casserole mode. This year has passed so quickly. I will be back later with another design team make..so until then BT willing of course..lol..take care and happy crafting.

A Snowflakes Promise....A Christmas Mouse

 

Todays card is a design team make for the wonderful team over at a Snowflakes Promise Challenge Blog. As well as the challenge blog, there is a facebook page. I hope that you will pop over and take a look. There were an amazing amount of entries to our last challenge..I hope that you will all pop over and join in the fun.

This fortnights challenge has just begun and we have been so lucky to  have been sponsored by the fabulous team over at Stitchy Bears.

For todays card I used this wonderful little mouse..it's called a butterflies snowflake. That may seem strange but it has a wonderful saying that snowflakes are winters butterflies, but I loved the little mouse so much, I just used him on his own. The great thing about digi stamps is that you can colour them to fit whatever colour way that you like the most.

As you can see from the image above..on this one I used the red and green, where as the first image I went with blues and lilacs. I still haven't decided which one that I like the most..lol.
What a day today..all thanks to BT. I said the immortal words yesterday...BT has been really good this weekend...and I should have known that it wouldn't be long. So here I was first thing this morning all set to go..blogs to do, photos to watermark and upload and work to put in folders ready for different posts and then it happened..BT said no way. It's at this moment 2.30 and I've been trying since 8am. Hopefully it will hold it together enough to let me finish this blog..lol.
Now to let you all know..Flossie has settled down really well and seems to be quite taken with Jeffrey..lol. She did spend the first few days hissing at him..and he just ignored him..lol..but now they will get nose to nose and talk to each other. I said the other day that Jeffrey was on three legs but he is now back on four. Bless him he is still the house baby and felt so sorry for himself, he had to come for Mother cuddles every day. But today he is back on form...goodness help us all..lol.Sprout seems to be turning into a little homebody..at the moment he is lay in the sun on the studio roof. He has started to sleep at the foot of my bed. When he arrived he was just so scared and used to hide when anyone came..to see him now is such a joy.
Well the coffee is calling and I've still got more uploading to do,so keep your fingers crossed for me. I'm hoping that a coffee will keep me calm..lol So until tomorrow..take care and happy crafting
 

Gruffies and Guests....Making it Fruity

Todays card is a design team make for the fabulous team over at the Gruffies and Guests. This challenge blog features only creations using a Gruffie, Happy Hopper or House Mouse images. As you all know by now, I just adore all things House Mouse related and have a very special love of the Happy Hoppers. I can't remember a time when I didn't love rabbits and the Happy Hoppers have just the right amount of cute

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For this months challenge we are lucky enough to have been sponsored by the wonderful team over at Dis Digis. They will be providing this months wonderful prize.

The theme for this months challenge is..Make it Fruity. For my card, I picked this lovely image of a happy hopper enjoying some watermelon. This image is from the Gruffies and Happy Hoppers cdrom brought to us crafters by the wonderful Joanna Sheen. As with all the house mouse images, the gruffies and happy hoppers are brought to us via the paint brush of Ellen Jareckie. I would be happy if I only had 10% of this ladies talent.
On my card, I first mounted the backing paper and the image onto some burgundy card. I created a border with the same. On the sheet that I printed out the greeting was in a watermelon slice shape, so of course I had to use it. I die cut some flowers and coloured them to match with my promarkers. I finally added a green ribbon.
It's a lovely day here in the mountains today. I have to say that the cats as a group are all sulking. My friend was picking up some extra catfood for me and was supposed to bring it last night but things happened and he's bringing it today. Consequently there was no wet food for breakfast...so they are all sulking , sat round the food tray..lol. I wouldn't mind but this is the first time in ages that I have ran out of food and they also have bowls of dry cat food downstairs..and if you saw them all you would know they are not starving..but try telling them..lol. Even the new lady Flossie is having a moan at me. Jeffrey is not well and he is also complaining on the wait for the food. He went out last night and must have got into yet another fight. He has been bitten on one of his front legs and is currently limping around. He brought his leg to me to sort out and as I was examining him he was purring..bless him. I think it will take a couple of days to go down and now he just smells of TCP....the antiseptic..I must add..lol
Well the coffee is calling and still my pile of work is sitting to be worked through. I hope that the weather is being kind to you wherever you are and that you have a great weekend. If you get the chance, don't forget to pop over to the challenge at Gruffies and Guests. The other members of the design team have created some wonderful items..well worth a look. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.