Ribbon & Lace for Tando

Hi there!  Its RIBBON & LACE week over at the *Tando Creative Blog* .  I have used one of the gorgeous chipboard arches that comes with layers so that you can build it up.  I was going to go all 'Eastern' with it then I spotted the lovely Ophelia (at least I think its her) :D

Lots of stamping going on here and I can't really believe that this is the first time that I have ruched ribbon!!!  I always was the last one to a party hahahahaha!!!

For birthday girls everywhere today, a special hug xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bugs & paste!

Its all change over at the ~Tando Creative Blog~, we will now be having specialised weeks.  This week is 'Animals, birds & bugs'.   I chose to work with the new Tando Mini's - butterflies to make a card. Firstly though I used some modelling paste through part of the Garden Mask onto some card, then, when dry replaced the mask & added Brilliance ink to the paste. I saw this done at the Extravaganza (sorry but I can't remember the ladies name :( )  Its a shame that you can't really see the gleam from the ink in the photo.....

The new mini's are brilliant for cards & journals as they are a lot smaller and thinner than some of the other chippie and sooooo versatile. Added bonus is that you get loads in a pack haha. I dabbed them with some distress ink and then roughly added Brilliance to the edges. I was going to add gems and things but then decided that I quite liked the country feel of the card as it was.

 

 

Thank you so much for popping by for a looksee, See you soon, HUGS xxx

GD for The Craft Barn!

Hi!  A bit excited here as I can, at last, begin to show you what I have been doing the last few weeks :-D  I was asked to be a guest designer for June for ~THE CRAFT BARN~  using TANDO CREATIVE PRODUCTS!!!!!  I also felt very humbled as they have some incredible artists on their team!  I shall be appearing once a week for this month only and my 1st post is today.  The prompt was to use masks so I used Tando's clock mask to make a.......clock hahahahaha!!!!!

I used a chunky canvas for my base and then lightly coated it with watered down Eco Green Acrylic paint in Periwinkle & Lake. A flourish was stamped randomly over the top before I coated it with multi-medium. Using some of the Lake colour I sponged through the Tando Creative Hearts Background mask in the centre of the canvas and drew around the hearts with a white pen. Using dimensional paste mixed with EcoGreen Grape and using an old credit card I stencilled the Tando Creative Clock in the centre. I also added some hearts to the corners.

I added elements from the Tando Creative 'Home Sweet Home Plaque trio' to decorate. The clock hands have been coloured using a Krylon silver pen and crackle accents added to the clock numerals, rooves and hearts.

 

If you haven't visited The Craft Barns blog do so as the inspiration and work is incredible!  Thak you for coming to visit, see you soon, hugs xxx

Brooches from Chipboard

Hi everyone!  I am still looking at ways to use fabric on Tando Creative Chipboard :-D  This time I have taken 2 butterflies & 2 leaves and made them into brooches.

Each piece of chippie has been covered with fabric.  I didn't trim too close as I wanted a frayed shabby look to them.   On the butterfy  added an extra layer of fabric between the 2 chipboard pieces with some fibre, beads & wire to decorate.  For the leaves I kept to the 2 layers adding beads, paper rose, wire and some lace round the edge.

Thank you for taking a look, HUGS xxx

Village in a Box!

Hi there lovely bloggers!  Di Oliver, over at ~Tando Creative~ is one very clever bunny!  She has designed a gorgeous Village in a Box.  Its hexagonal, around 18cm wide and when you lift off the lid this little village appears...wonderful designing!  I had to have one to play with :-D  Here is my finished lid...

You have probably already spotted that I used fabric on this project.  All except the fence which I had to paint...(impossible to do with fabric).  There are a few beads in there too.  The centre button is covered with fabric too!  Here is the gorgeous little village...

The edges of the trees are fraying a bit but I like that.  Although pretty time consuming to do I have really enjoyed this project and can now imagine it done with paints, papers, whatever you choose to work with.  Its really worth the effort! 

For those who are interested in beautiful handmade lace & textiles here is a picture of the fabulous 7inch crocheted doily the box is sitting on.  I found it in a charity/thrift shop for 20p.  I know its our gain to be able to buy the stunning old pieces of work so cheaply but I do find it sad that no-one seems to want to keep what great-granny made don't you?  This doily is really fine work, lies flat and should be treasured as there is so much work in it.

Thank you for popping by my lovelies, HUGS xxx

A friend to be silly with?

Helloooo!  Novembers Challenge is still ongoing over at the  ~Tando Creative Challenge Blog~.  This months challenge can be anything using...

BLUE & BROWN

 Its a fantastic challenge as you don't have to use any Tando products and at the end of the month there is a draw where you can win Tando Products which you choose from a selection....how good is that????  We are showing you different entries from the DT each week and this week its my turn :-D

This 7x5" canvas has been painted up and then I have painted & stickled 3 of Tando's Karens Arch Frames.  I had so much fun using my Stampotique stamps for this hahaha! 

Do pop over to have a look at the challenge and the list of prizes you can choose from.....its well worth the effort!  Thank you for popping by, HUGS xxx

Printers Tray/birthday card!

Hellooo, everyone seems to be loving these ~printers trays~ from TANDO CREATIVE which come in different shapes and sizes. I chose the little one (103x103cm) which has a lid, cover...whatever you like to call it haha! I decided to be a little different and make mine into a birthday card for my daughter, vintage style.  Though maybe I should have chosen a more modern theme as she says she feels old now....she is 26!!!  Oh, I wish I was 26 again...daft mare hahahahaha!!!

I glued all the levels together and sprayed them with Glimmer Mists. I also used one of Tando's ~plaques~, which come in a pack of 3, for the cover, also sprayed with Glimmer Mists. The papers are Basic Grey Bittersweet.

The little bits inside are from my stash...old lace and a bead, a stamped bustier with teensy buttons, an old stamp and a silver butterfly charm.

We are pretty busy over at Tando at the moment...there is the MONTHLY CHALLENGE with prizes that you can find ~HERE~ and then something very exciting...

...our lovely Carol is running a FREE online class ~HERE~.  Here is a sneaky peak of what you could be doing, please take a look!!!!

Thank you for coming to look, please leave a comment to say that you have been...I love those! Take care and keep warm & dry HUGS xxx

Tando Challenge 2 - Rustic Charm!

WHOOOO!!!!!  its the beginning of the month & time for a new challenge over at the  ~TANDO CREATIVE CHALLENGE BLOG~  If you took part in last months please pop over soon to see if you are the lucky prizewinner -D
This months challenge theme is....... RUSTIC CHARM...you can make anything you like as long as it fits the theme.  You don't have to use Tando products for this challenge.  Here is my bit of rustic charm...

Its a diddy little key cupboard from The Craft Barn...its only about 5inches high!  I gave it a colourwash of pink & rubbed some Frayed Burlap DI on the edges.  Paper went onto the hearts & the door insets.  I colourwashed the insed with green.  The bird, branch, mini frame, flowers & hearts are all  chippie by Tando & painted to match with some crackle accents in places.

How cute is that little drawer in the bottom?????  No idea what will go in there hahahaha!

Thank you for taking a look today, the challenge is open all this month, please have a go!  HUGS xxx

Canvas with a banner!!!!!

Hi peeps, I thought it was about time that I made something just for me and I have been wanting to make up an 8x8 canvas for my bedroom for a while now :-D  I have used all sorts on this one too!

The background has been painted & sprayed then dabbed with inked up bubble wrap.  I stamped onto some mulberry paper & tore it before I stuck it on.  The lovely little banner & flower chippie is from ~TANDO CREATIVE~ while the large heart is from my stash.  These have just been sprayed with mica mists! I found the beady earing in a charity shop.  The purple lace was white but I sprayed it with mica mists which worked better than I thought & gives a gentle sheen.  I added some accent beads, more lace & bits from my stash to complete the look.

Hope you like it and a BIG thank you for calling by, HUGS XXX

Flowerhead Flourish canvas!

Hi there folks :-)  Today I am bringing you a little 4x4inch canvas.  I have decorated it with some ~flower head flourishes~ from ~TANDO~.  Its probably me but I just saw the pretty pattern/shape of these not the flower but I still like them :-D

The chipboard has been coloured using Mica Mists.  It took a few coats of the wet stuff...its such good quality chippie thank goodness!!! It was nice to get the bobbles & beads out again...its been a while hasn't it?  Do pop over to Tando to see what they make & then to ~HERE~ to download the stockists list!
Thank you so much for coming by, take care & lots of HUGS XXX

Just for fun week 1 !!!

Hello everyone! Its the beginning of a new week and the beginning of a new challenge blog ~JUST FOR FUN~.  Now I need to get back into more of this type of crafting instead of just the journalling I am doing haha!  So I thought I would give this a go.  There is a monthly theme, slightly different each week.  This month the theme is wings and for this week we are asked to think about hearts as well.  Here is mine...

I used a heart chippie from my stash and used glossy accents with alcohol inks dropped on - I love this as its so easy to do!!!  The wings are from a Maya Road stamp.  I will probably hang this from a drawer knob or door handle hahaha

Do pop over to take a look at this challenge!  Thank you for taking the time to look my lovelies, HUGS XXX

WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS

Hellooooo, I put away my art journal for a while & had a play with some ~TANDO~ chippy!  Now I am going to be very self indulgent now but I am excited :-D  but I am so thrilled with the way these elephants turned out and its so exciting to be working on something that I designed...whooo!!!!  When I drew them I worked it so that the trunks & tails would come together so they looked like they do in real life.  Not that these look anything but real hahahaha

I gesso'd them before sticking the beads on, using my favourite method of threading the beads before dropping them into the glue.  Then I simply smothered them with glossy accents & dropped alcohol inks into it!  Easy peasy...bright elephants hahaha!  I kept the canvas simple with just a little paint, stamping & co-ordinating chippie from my stash.  The elephant actually comes as part of a set including a cute hippo & a cheeky lion...

... and in 2 sizes.  Great for a kiddies room!  If you fancy these little fellas or any of Tando's brilliant chipboard then take a look ~HERE~ fro stockists.  Thank you so much for taking a look today, take care HUGS XXX

Playing with chippie!

Hello lovely blogging buddies!  I put aside my stripey muse for a while to play with some lovely chipboard from ~TANDO CREATIVE~.  If you like the chippie I have used why not pop over to Tando where you can find a list of the suppliers of this wonderful stuff?  I really need to make some more cards for my box....getting a bit low.  Anyway the 1st card was for my Mums 75th birthday, in the colours she loves...

I coloured tha gorgeous gate with purple Brilliance.  The stamps are from Elusive Images.  The next card is to pop into my box for when I need it...

This large leaf was sprayed with a selection of mica paints.  The tree stamps are on a very handy cube by Judikins.  I love this quote by Minnie Aumonier & have used it before.  It goes...

" There is always music in the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it "

Thank you for popping by today.  Please leave a comment to let me know you have been, I love to read them! HUGS XXX

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Hellooooo lovely bloggers!  Have you all had a fabulous Christmas?  I have taken some time out from bloghopping since Christmas Day and am now looking forward to sitting with a mug of hot chocolate or even a sherry (or two) & having a lovely catch up hahaha!!!  I haven't done much crafting either & I am thinking that I may have wrapped up my mojo in a parcel & sent it to someone .....so if you find it can you smack its bum & send it home???

I did make another banner before Christmas to go in baby Faiths new bedroom though, so I will show you that today.

If you are out celebrating tonight have a fantastic time won't you!  Jeremy & I tend to snuggle up on the sofa these days with a good film & a glass of something tasty hahaha!  Anyways...

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I really hope that 2011 brings you all joy in everything that you do!  HUGS XXX

MUSIC IN THE TREES

Gosh!!! Its nearly December isn't it???  How are you all getting on with your preparations?  I have my cards done & am now onto last minute pressies :D

Today I have a 5x7 canvas to show you.  I love this swirly little tree and when I found the quote on The Quote Garden I wanted to put them together!  Do you hear music in the trees???

The background music paper has been gesso'd, stamped & distressed to jazz it up a bit.  The gorgeous Tree is from TANDO CREATIVE, as is the journalling block!  All the inks are Adirondack inkpads.

Thank you for taking a look today.  Lots of HUGS for you & the trees!  Oh & yes, I am a tree hugger :D xxx

ADVENT CALENDAR

Hi there my lovely blogging friends!  Today I am showing you an Advent Calendar that I decorated for the monthly challenge over at VANILLA SUGAR.....sweetly handmade!  This blog was started way back in January with a view to giving us all ideas for gifts!  Do pop over for a look at the lovely work that the Design Team have done this year! 

I bought this as a blank in the January sales...I do like to think ahead hahahaha!!!!!

These aren't drawers as I first thought but boxes....you can cram more in those haha!  I have covered all the fronts using a mix of papers from the Basic Grey Jovial Collection.  The 'knobs' are just office paper fasteners & I have put felt circles underneath.  The numbers come in a pack especially for Advent calendars & are from TANDO CREATIVE, you can find stockists ~HERE~.  The surround has been painted using a red matchpot form a DIY store!!!

The largest drawer has a pointsetta from my stash & a lovely brad from K&Co.  Oh & I just had to add a bit of glittery stickles....it is for Christmas after all!!!

If you happen to be up around Lingfield in Surrey on Saturday, Di from Tando will be demonstrating her fab chippie all day!!!  I will be popping in so maybe I will see you there!!! 

Thank you for popping by....HUGS XXX

WELCOME BIRD

Hi everyone! Before I go on I thought that I would point this out to you all, if you already know about it just ignore my 1st paragraph!  With the new Blogger photo upload we are now automatically given a Picasa album.  Did you know that the albums defaults are enabling anyone to copy your pictures?  What is more annoying is that if you delete your Picasa albums the photographs  disapear from your blog too!!!!!  Take a look ~here~ for more about it and to find out how you can ensure your privacy.  Have to say that I am not too worried about my crafting pics but the more personal, family photographs are a different matter!

Right, now thats done, here is a bird hanging that I have been working on lately.  Its one of TANDO CREATIVE'S lovely pieces!..

and it started life like this...

So many ways that you could decorate this but I chose to use Adirondack inks with some BG Lyme Rickey papers.

Lots of embossing on the bird and touches of glossy accents!  This one was a lot of fun!

Thank you all for taking a look today.  Please leave a comment if you have the time as I love to read them, HUGS XXX

TICK TOCK!!!

Yes, tick tocks but no mouse running up the clock thank goodness!  But then I do like the little furry creatures!  er...just thought that if you haven't heard of this nursery rhyme (Hickory Dickory Dock) then you now think I have gone completely banana's hahahahahahaha!!!!!  Today I am going to show you a real working clock that I have made...I know its bragging but I am sooo pleased with this & its now hanging on my craftroom wall!!!

Making/decorating a clock is the September Project for VANILLA SUGAR...SWEETLY HANDMADE. Every month we encourage peeps to make a gift of some sort along a theme!  With Christmas coming up there are loads of ideas already.  Do pop over there to look at the clocks and other stuff...they are amazing!!!!  Here is mine...

It started life as a 5x7 canvas.  The clock face is chippie by ScrapFX that I got ages ago and the chippie leaves are from TANDO.  The mushrooms are part of an Elusive Images stamp set & I love them!!!  The whole thing has been coloured with distress inks.  Oh & the chain is a bathroom chain....far cheaper than any 'craft' chain hehe!

Thank you for taking the time to pop over here.  Please leave a comment to say that you have been...I love reading them!!!  HUGS XXX

P.S.  After a lovely comment from CINDY I have decided to enter this for the Creative Spirit Challenge over here!, thank you Cindy XXX

NOW WHERE DID I PUT MY KEYS.......

I am sure that I am not the only one who has known a man who can never find his keys...or anything for that matter hahahahaha!!!!  Thinking about the 'C' word and making presents this year I have had a go at a key holder....

The base is a 5x7 cheapo canvas on which I rubbed distress inks, spritzed with glimmer mists & splodged a bit of white acrylic for good measure!  The little houses are by PaperArtsy & have been coloured with DI and glossed in parts.  I can't remember where the chippie letters are from but the board they sit on is one of the new journalling blocks by Tando Creative.  I bought the chain & bits from a family run hardware store down the road.  Its an amazing place that sells everything from a nail to a wedding dress hahahaha!  Far cheaper to buy a bath chain from there than go to a craft shop!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to pop over, I really appreciate it and I love to read any comments!  HUGS XXX

My lovely, very talented  friend Di over at TANDO CREATIVE chippie shop has had a birthday!!!  ( No...not chip shop.....chippie as in chipboard hahahaha )  Now what card do you make for someone who is soo talented???  Tricky one, but I decided that I really had to go with a Stampotique image!!!  The one I chose does have a sort of manic way with her hahaha...not that Di is manic but she has been super busy these last few weeks!!!

Di has created a really fabby range and you can find the UK stockists HERE! She has also created some fabulous storage which she sells in her retail online store...take a look HERE!!!!

Thank you for looking today, have a fabulous weekend, LOVE & HUGS XXX