Altered Giant Peg

I got given this giant wooden peg "to do something with!" Dontcha just love requests like that??!! Anyway this is what I did with, just got to find a strip of magnetic tape and it will be a magnetic memo holder for the fridge.

The peg was painted with acrylic paint, given a crackle glaze and then wiped over with gold paint. It was then embellished with a Sizzix swirl, tattered florals flowers and Kars butterly stamp which was cut out, coloured with Promarkers and then given a spritz of Perfect Pearls.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:

Spring Fold Rose Card

OK I've made one of those cards that I really don't like - I think it's just not me iykwim. The worse thing is it wasn't a quick and easy card to make, there was lots of fiddling and faffing around and I can't help resenting the amount of my precious time it took up!! My SIL saw and it and immediately said "Mum would love that!!" So I think I'm going to give it to my MIL for her birthday. The photograph makes the flower look like it's a pale salmon pink when infact it is actually almost the same shade as the card candy - so not sure what's going on with my photo - sorry!!

I made the card base using some ultra thick card from my stash. The white card with green swirls was created simply by running a piece of white card thorough a Sizzix Embossing Folder and then swiping the raised area with Distress Ink. The flower was made from a DoCrafts 3D Flower Stamp. I stamped the petals multiple times onto some pink textured paper, cut them out and added some dimension with a ball tool. The petals were then stacked and glued. The centre was stamped onto yellow paper, shaped and then glued into place with silicone glue. Once dried I added some Stickles. The leaves were stamped onto some green paper and again shaped with a ball tool. The Card Candy has been coloured with Promarkers.

Thanks for visiting today.

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this card into the follow challenges:
Little Claire's - Shaped cards
Crafty Emma's - Embossing
2 Sisters - Anything goes
Paper Play Challenges - Blossoms & Blooms

Playing With Gesso Again!

I'm gonna keep this post really brief as blogger is throwing another wobbly and I have to keep swapping browsers in order to perform various functions and even then it's really hit or miss!

OK I admit it I'm officially hooked on Gesso! As a result I couldn't resist using it on this weeks Delicious Doodles challenge card. The theme this week is to use some LACE in your project. So here it is....

Not sure what's going on with my photo, but the colours are actually brown and turquoise - just hope that it's not a sign that my cameras on it's way out!

Anyway I've used Gesso to stamp the cow parsley and have then inked the card with Distress Inks and then finished it off with a blast of Glimmer Mist. The butterflies have been coloured with Promarkers, shaped and then stickled before being added to the background using silicone glue. Faux stitching has been added using a gold gel pen and brown ultra-fine liner.

I'm going to call that it for now as blogger will probably throw another hissy fit and wipe my post!!

Have a great weekend and thanks as always for stopping by.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
A Spoonful of Sugar - Things with wings
2 Sisters - Use a digi
Mark's Finest Papers - Tone on tone with image popped up
Sweet Stampin' - In the garden

Martha Stewart's Punch All Over The Page

I recently got the chance to try out one of the new Martha Stewart Punch All Over The Page punches and I have to say I really liked it! I used it on 300gsm card with no problem, you just need to make sure that you hear the loud double click noise before attempting to separate the base unit from the actual punch. Will I be adding one to my stash?? I think I just might!


So here's the card I created with the punch

The  6x6 card base was made from white card stock. The heart has been punched just of centre using the MS Punch All Over The Page. A 7x6 strip of pink paper from Inspire Me Papers was punched on the 6" edge with a Martha Stewart Doily Punch. I used the We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy to create the line of stitching. The punch all over page heart creates a row of holes around the heart, so I used those to create the stitching there. The pink paper was then inserted into the card and glued to the front panel. A stamped sentiment and bit bling finishes it of.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Pretty pastels
I Did It Creations - Anything goes
Easy Craft Projects - Pretty Pastels
If The Shoe Fits - CAS

Daisy Chains!!

This a quick post from me today as I'm really pushed for time. I've reverted to my childhood today and have been making Daisy Chains. Hopefully this one will last a bit longer than the ones I used to make from the flowers in my garden when I was a child.

I apologise for the poor picture, but the light is poor here at the moment. Unfortunately it makes the gemstones used for the centre of the daisies appear as if I've used different colours. However, they are all the same.

The daisies have been made from shrink plastic and gems, I've added a few glass pearls and linked it all together.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire xxx

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:
Polka Doodles - Anything but a card
Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle & Shine

Sweet Pea Stamps & Gesso

It's challenge time again over at Sweet Pea Stampers and this week the theme is Pearls and Lace. The prize is three Sweet Pea Stamps supplied by the lovely Lynette from Sweet Pea Stamps.

I have to say I've absolutely loved this challenge and have used it as an opportunity to drag stuff out of my stash that has been neglected or dare I say forgotten about!!! The rest of the girls on DT have created some stunning projects for your inspiration, so please do stop by their blogs and take peek (links are in my sidebar). Now whilst we're on the subject of the Sweet Pea DT I thought I'd let you know that we are on the hunt for a new member as the lovely Teri has had to step down due to her commitments with Delicious Doodles. If you're interested please email Pascale (her details can be found on her blog or on the SPS challenge post).

So onto my card!

I decided that I try a Gesso resist technique out that I saw posted by those awesomely talented Craft Fairies over at The Craft Barn. I used my faithful old Viva My Paper World Stamps to create the Gesso swirls. The purple background colour was created with Dusty Concorde Distress Inks which I then spritzed with Perfect Pearls Mist (sadly you can't see the effect that it gives IRL). For a first attempt I'm really not too unhappy with the end result and will definitely be exploring this technique further as I have a few projects in mind that this technique will lend itself to perfectly!

The image is of course Ching-Chou Kuik's Blue Eye Fairy (except mines got green eyes:) ) which has been coloured with Promarkers. I've added Viva Pearl Pen to the centre of the flowers in her hair and stickled the stars in the corners of the image. The lace flower was made from a cotton lace doily that I cut the centre out from and then hot glued the centre to make petals and attached a pearl button. I then dabbed it all over with some of my new Tim Holtz Distress Stains and spritzed it with water to make the colour bleed. The pearl swirl was created using a Prima E-line template and Viva Pearl Pen. 


Thanks for stopping by today and please don't forget to check out the DT member call.


Claire xx


I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
The Craft Barn - Gesso technique
Aud Sentiments - No sentiment
Crafty Purple Frog - Monochromatic
In A Sweet Pea Dream - Bling it up
Southern Girls Challenge - Lace & Pearls
Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle & Shine
Magical Mondays - White and one other

Let The Sun Shine

 Unbelievably it's time for a new challenge over at Delicious Doodles. I'm not sure where the weeks are going but I'm certain that someone is stealing the days! Anyway, this week the theme is Let The Sun Shine. We want to see creations which remind us of those lovely hot sunny days which we seem to see all to rarely here in the UK.

Here's my offering for the challenge, if you're on a diet you might want to look away now!

I decided to use the yummy Ice-cream Sundae image from the Delicious Doodles Shop. The image has been coloured with Promarkers, cut out and then highlighted with Glossy Accents on the glass, cherry and sauce. The background image has been embossed using the freebie embossing folder received with this months Creativity Magazine.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
One Stop Craft Challenge - Ice cream
CRAFT - Happy Birthday
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything goes
Truly Scrumptious - Anything goes
Paper & Such Designs - Birthday card

It's a pink thing!

OK if it's not bird houses lately, it's notebooks! Well this time it's a pink notebook - yep I went all girly and flowery (but I still snuck in some distressing!!).

 The notebook was painted with acrylic paint and then crackle medium was applied to it. I then swiped gold acrylic paint over the book using my fingers and a baby wipe. The flowers were created using the Sizzix 3D Flower Die and the fern is a die cut from Little Claire's. The inspire bookplate was in my stash.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
A Spoonful of Sugar - Anything goes
Creative Craft Challenges - Distressed/Vintage
The Crazy Challenge - Green & Pink
The Shabby Tea Room - Monochromatic
Fab n Funky  - Blooming Marvelous

Wedding Bird House

Yep it's me with another of those bird houses! This the last one for now....but maybe......ok definitely not for ever :)

I thought that this one would be ideal for a wedding or anniversary. It was really quick and easy to make (infact it was quicker than a card).

I painted the house with Titanium White Acrylic Paint and then edged it with Gold Acrylic Paint. The doves were some floral patterned wooden ones from Hobbycraft which I painted and then added wing and feather markings with a fineliner pen. Finally I added a shrink plastic heart and a bow.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this house into the following challenges:
Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:

It Bee a notebook!!!

As soon as I saw these cute little bee stamps I grabbed them. They've then sat in my stash unused but not unloved for what seems like forever! I finally got the chance to use them on one of those little notebooks that I've been making. I'm going to keep this book for myself  - selfish I know, but I normally give my stuff away, but can't bear to part with this one! Anyway here it is...

I painted the book with acrylic paints and then inked it with Distress Inks. I created the honeycomb effect using a piece of sequin waste. The bees were stamped using Stazon Ink, I then spritzed the whole lot with Glimmer Mist.

Thanks for stopping by today

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this book into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Anything goes
Ai Factory - Nature Walk
Dutch Dare Card Challenges - Winged things

Birds on a Wire

Good morning folks it's challenge time over at Delicious Doodles. This weeks theme is inspired by..... so we want to know what inspired your creations.

My card was inspired by the birds that gather every evening outside my bedroom window on the telephone wire. I tried to get a picture but would you believe every time I tried they decided to take flight.

I used the image Resting Swallows from Delicious Doodles and my trusty My Paper World Stamps. The background was inked with Distress Inks and then spritzed with Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist. I think the papers are Basic Grey, but I'm not sure as they were loose in my stash.

Thanks for stopping by today, have a fab weekend.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Anything goes
Scrapbook Sisters - The Birds
Stamp Something - Anything goes

Bird Cage Notebook

I'm really loving making something other than cards at the moment. Don't get me wrong it's not that I don't enjoy making cards but sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a rut and need to explore other crafty options. These little Kraft notebooks are really cheap and make nice little gifts.

The notebook was covered with Lost & Found Papers from My Minds Eye. I sponged over the birdcage die cut with Distress Inks. The lace and seam binding were also inked with Distress Ink to knock back the white and give an aged look. I added some faux stitching and some scrabble tiles that were free with a magazine the other week. Finally I used my new Martha Stewart Photo Corner punch on the corners and spritzed the whole lot with Glimmer Mist..

Thanks for stopping by.

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this notebook into the following challenges:
Creative Craft Challenges - Vintage/ Distressed
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Fancy a punch
Tuesday Throwdown - Diecuts
Bunny Zoe's - Lace

Quick and Easy Masked Card

I've had to make a few super quick cards recently, and there is nothing quicker for me than inking and stamping cos it means I don't have to faff about finding co-ordinating papers, matting and layering and colouring! It's not that I'm lazy - well maybe it is :/ LOL, but it is really time consuming and when you're in a hurry rummaging through piles of stash is the last thing I want to do!

I stamped the butterflies and then masked them before creating a Post It Note frame. I blended Distress Inks in the frame, gave it spritz of Glimmer Mist and then removed the masks. To finish I quickly coloured the butterflies with Promarkers and then added some Stickles to the edge of the wings and the frame and stamped a sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Creative Cowgirls - Anything goes
Sentimental  Sundays - Anything Goes
Mark's Finest Papers - Paper, Stamps & Inks, no embellies
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Anything Goes

Gone Fishin'

Now for those of you who follow me regularly, you'll know that I don't often do "cute" so I'm not sure what came over me when I decided to use this image! However, cute or not I had loads of fun making this card and got to use lots of new "toys" on it!!

The DP's were on a roll like wrapping paper and I have no idea who makes them, but they are double sided and very large!!! The kraft paper side has been matted onto bazzil cardstock before being run through the Big Shot using a Texturz Plate to emboss the square design. The dotty bracket is part of one of the Tim Holtz Alterations On The Edge Dies. The ribbon is more of the DP's.

The image was stamped onto smooth white cardstock which has then been trimmed to size. I've used my We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper to round the edges on both the image and the Bracket. The edges of the image have been given a dusting of Distress Ink prior to stamping the sentiment with Versafine. The image has then been coloured with Promarkers. I added some Craftwork Cards Card Candy coloured with Promarkers to finish the card off.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Distressing
One Stop Craft Challenge - Birthdays
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes
Bunny Zoes - One for the boys
Cards for Men - Circles
The Crazy Challenge - Cards for Men
Stamps R Us - For the men in our lives

Sweet Pea Field of Poppies Card

It's time for another challenge over at Sweet Pea Stampers and this week we want to see a "Shower of Flowers"! Yep we want to see flowers, flowers, and yet more flowers! There's a fantastic prize on offer this week, which is 3 digital sheets of your choice from The Crafty Purple Frog. If you get the chance, please stop by the rest of the DT's blogs and leave them some lurve as they have yet again excelled themselves and produced some stunning creations for your inspiration.

This is the card that I've made for the challenge.

I covered a card blank from Craftwork Cards with some paper from my stash (it could be Basic Grey, but to be honest I haven't got a clue where it's from - sorry). The image is a decoupage sheet - Field of Poppies from The Crafty Purple Frog which has been layered up using silicone glue and then highlighted with Stickles. The poppies are die cuts using the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Die and Fired Brick Distress Ink, the edge of the petals have been brushed with Stickles and the centre of the poppies have been created using Enamel Accents. The flourish has been cut from black card using the Sizzix Bigz Corner Flourish #2. I used a Martha Stewart Doily Edge Punch to create the black lace effect and simply glued strips of green paper to it ( I would've used my ribbon punch, but forgot all about it until I'd glued the strip in place - doh!!).

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire xx

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
The Stamp Man - Poppies
Samuel Taylors - Flowers & Bling, this months prize is a Bazzill Bling Jewel Template (Borders), 2 packs of bling & 5 packs of Prima flowers
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes
In a Sweet Pea Dream - Anything goes

It's A Black & White Christmas!

OK I know it's far too early to be making Christmas cards, but I can't be doing with all that last minute stress and rush to get them done. So - I've made a start :) I can almost guarantee though that my resolve to make Christmas cards throughout the year won't last and that I'll be the proverbial headless chicken in November and December trying to get my cards done!!

The image is part of the Christmas Motives Set from the My Paper World range and has been stamped with Versamark onto smooth white cardstock and then heat embossed with a black glitter powder. The sentiment which was a freebie from a magazine has been given the same treatment. I've then used a scalloped edging punch on the various layers before adding black ribbon prior to mounting them. The black polka dot card is from Inspire Me Papers and the gems are from my stash.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
A Spoonful of Sugar - White and another colour
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Going Dotty
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything goes
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Something beginning with C
Sparkles Forum Challenges - Anything goes
Totally Paper Crafts - Glitter

It's a sad day..........

I'm here all on my own today - no kids, no hubby, no deadlines to meet - bliss!! Whilst I love having everyone home, a month of it has been hardwork and the house has suffered terribly! So today has been grimebuster day!! Sadly that means my birthday cards have had to come down. So before I stash them away, I thought I'd share a picture or two of them. I also want to say a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to make and send a card, it was very much appreciated.

I wasn't really sure how to do them justice, so I've taken an overview shot and then pictured them in groups of two. So here we go:

Flower Fairy card from Susan aka Tomsmum & LOTV card from Sarah aka Rainmac

Lets Celebrate from Jenny aka Dragonlew & LOTV from Dawn aka Addams

Black & White Floral Card Gaynor & Silhouette Fairy Card Caroline aka CT19720

Teabag Folded Card from Pat & Lavinia Silhouette Card from Anne

Little girl with squirrels card from OAP1945 aka Toni & Lavinia Card from Clare aka Madfrog

Fairy card from Kelly aka KMS & Tina aka Artydoll

House Mouse card from Margaret aka Marg & Pampered Pets card from Jo aka Jowri

Teddy card from Debbie aka Padster & Duck in a Brolly Card from Jan aka ScattyJan

Once again ladies, thank you very much, you made my day!!!

Claire xx