The Sunday Stampers, Stamp Something

This is a double whammy for me this week, as the theme on Sunday Stampers is cats, and on Stamp Something its 1st's. Well this Daisy Cat stamp is the first I ever bought. She came previously owned from e-bay, the wood is covered in ink, and it's obvious she had been well used, and I love her to bits. How someone could part with her I will never know.:o)
The background paper has been in my stash for a couple of years now. Daisy has just been stamped and cut out. Her flowers have been coloured with Glaze pens and a little bit of diamond glaze.
The love stamp is one of a set of clear stamps, and a couple of prima's and a button finishes it off.
She may be old and tatty but I love her!!
Thanks for looking xx
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/2008/05/sunday-stampers-week-16-cool-for-cats.html
http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2008/05/first-somethings.html

Lots To Do Challenges - Decoupage

The theme on Lots to Do this week is decoupage. Now the very word sends shivers down my spine as my cutting out leaves a lot to be desired, and silicone glue does my head in. However this stamp by Stampotique is great for decoupage as it's full of straight lines, and the layers you can use are pretty obvious.
The background paper and rub on's are by Creative Imaginations, and I love 'em to bits. I've stamped the stamp on several different coloured cards and cut out her clothes, socks and hair.
I'm quite pleased with her - wish I was as thin!!
Thanks for making me decoupage, and thanks for looking.xx
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/2008/05/week-8-decoupage.html

Saturday Workout Challenge 4 - The Linen Look

This weeks challenge is a lovely technique that I havn't come across before, it's to give your piece of work a 'linen look' This is achieved by sanding a piece of glossy paper horizontally and vertically, and then rubbing your ink pads on the surface.
How many times have I said 'it doesn't show up too well on the photograph, but this time it really doesn't.
I have coloured the background with blue and green chalk inks, then stamped with MSE clear stamps in glue and green Stazon.
There is a little bit of diamond glaze on the seaweed, and the stampboard sentiment is there to (a) finish it off or (b) cover a bit of bad stamping. You decide :o)
This was a lovely challenge and I shall definitely use this technique again.
Thanks very much for looking xx
http://saturdaysworkout.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/sawo-no-4-let%c2%b4s-do-it-linen/

Funky Fairys Challenge -19 - Going Dotty

Hi, here is my entry for this weeks Funky Fairy's challenge.
The dotty paper is a lovely free download from their inspirations site.
Dots always make me think of my Pink Cat poodle and cat stamps, so I had to use these.
There is also my one and only Tilda and Penny Black hedgie stamps.
They've been coloured with stickles (very bling) water colour pencils and glaze stamps. I've also added a bit of diamond glaze here and there.
I had such fun making these, it was nice to get away from my 'brown' mood of late, so thanks for a great challenge.xx
http://funkyfairychallenge.blogspot.com/2008/05/week-19-going-dotty.html

Saturday Workout Challenge 3 - Alcohol Inks

I must admit to being a little dismayed when I read the title of the weeks challenge. To start with I didn't know what AAI's were, and then when I twigged that they were alcohol inks that made it worse. Not because I havn't got any, of course I have, I buy everything thats going - but because I have very little success with 'em. I've bought all the correct kit, watched the tutorials, but still end up with bright dots of colour surrounded by er, paler bits of colour. But the challenge said go and muddy, so go and muddy I did!! I've used expresso, latte, and some other brown who's name escapes me. This looked a bit boring so I added a teeny tiny bit of cranberry(!!) and the bright blobs were back. Reading this there are clues to where I am going wrong lol.
I stamped the Tim Holts 'Environs of Paris' map with stazon, thought it didn't look too bad, so left well alone.
I then stamped the Hampton Arts lady, and watercoloured the background, and coloured her with glaze pens. Working with the rule that more is always more(doh) I covered this in acetate, the used the Stampers Anonymous Paris stencil.
Staying with the French theme, I used red white and blue brads, ribbons and eyelets, though the colours don't show up too well.
As always, I enjoyed making the card, and thank you for looking x
http://saturdaysworkout.wordpress.com/

Challenge Ismaki - 18

This is my entry for this weeks challenge. The stamp is by Hero Arts, and is very pretty.
It's a very simple card, bit of gold matting and layering, some brads and a K & Co embellishment.
The paper is by Papermania, and is very subtle and pretty.
Thank you for a lovely challenge xx http://ismaki.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/challenge-ismaki-18-guest-caroline60/

Sunday Stampers & Lots to Do Challenges

I've cheated today and done a combined challenge. The Sunday Stampers challenge is Boys, and on Lots to Do it's to make a 3x3 ATC collage. This is something I havn't even heard of until today, so that's my excuse!!
I've stamped and embossed various 'boy' images, then inked over the background with so cats eyes chalk ink pads, then overstamped with whatever took my fancy.
The fun part was cutting it up then seeing what it looked like. I enjoyed making this - don't know what to do with it now though??
Hope it's ok, and thanks for looking. xx
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/2008/05/week-7-9-atc-collage.html
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/2008/05/sunday-stampers-week-15-two-little-boys.html

Funky Fairys Challenge -18 A Recipe

This is my entry for this weeks Funky Fairy Challenge. The recipe is for 3 colours only (as everyone knows gold is a shade of brown) a piece of ribbon, three buttons and a punched shape.
Doesn't show up too well on the photograph unless you go in close, but the flower stems are gold wire.
Thanks for looking x http://funkyfairychallenge.blogspot.com/2008/04/recipe-for-week-18.html

Can't Seem To Get Much Done Today!!

I wonder why that is???

This is Misty (remember Pokemon :o)) aka Fat Cat and Bl@@@y Animal!! She's purely decorative, doesn't do much except get under the feet, and at this time (or anytime come to think of it) of the year SHED HAIR!!
She's a total pain but we love her to bits really!!

Lots To Do Challenges -Alter a CD

The theme this week is 'Alter a CD' and I was so far out of my comfort zone it wasn't within waving distance!!. This was my 1st attempt at altering anything, so I havn't been very adventurous.
The background has been inked in blues and greens, then overstamped with Rhoner Farrer Clear Stamps and Tim Holtz's birds.
I shut my eyes when I punched the hole with the crop-a-dile, and was amazed when the CD didn't splinter into a zillion pieces.
I was quite enjoying myself by the time I had finished, so thanks very much for the challenge. xx
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/2008/04/week-6-alter-cd.html

The Sunday Stampers - Words

'His name is Leo and he dances on the sand'
Mmm , maybe not... apologies to any Duranies out there :o)
Here is my effort for the Sunday Stampers this week. The theme is 'Words', and as I'm in a taggy mood I decided to make another.
I painted said tag with pink and lilac crackle paints, and blended them together with er... my finger. I'm sure there a blending tool available on some web site, but my finger was nearer!! It seemed to be quite a thick layer, but it hasn't cracked that much.
The da Vinci and little squares stamps are by Cherry Pie Art Stamps, and they have been inked with various distress inks.
The Artist stamp is by Tim Holtz. I roughed up the edges with his paper distresser, and inked up with yellow distress ink. It's finished off with a thin layer of Mod Podge to blend the colours in a little more.
I realy enjoyed this challenge, hope you like, and thanks for looking xx
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/2008/04/sunday-stampers-week-14-its-only-words.html

Saturday Workout Challenge 2 - Embossed

I just love this new challenge site - it lets me use my all time favourite stamp. I know I'm a bit of a 'love the one you're with' when it comes to stamps, but this really is my fave :o)
The background is pink pearlised paper embossed with a cuttlebug.
The ballerina is by Just for Fun stamps, which has been watercoloured in pinks
The sentiment has been embossed, first the brown, then swept over with pink and embossed again, then the edges torn and edged with brown again. This was then UTE'd
Hope you like it, and thanks for looking xx
http://saturdaysworkout.wordpress.com/

Lots To Do Challenges - Dragons

As soon as I saw the title of the challenge I knew exactly what stamps I wanted to use, but could I find 'em Noooo! So I had to wait till the weekend to turn the place upside down looking for them - and they were exactly where they should have been!!!
I've stippled a tag with red, orange and yellow inks, then stamped my Tanda wizard and dragons. They have been coloured in with inks and sakura pens.
The background is a Paper Artsy stamp that I always use with my wizard - it always makes me think of magical spells lol.
Then I UTE'd the whole of the tag, it's still quite bumpy and uneven, but I quite like that.
Anything else... oh yeah, I melted the conservatory mat while I was embossing, but that our secret....
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/

Challenge Ismaki - 16

This is the first time I've taken part in a challenge like this, so please forgive me if it's not right!
I've used Rusty Pickle papers, these are double sided, so it was easy to get four that correspond.
The large scull is by Tim Holtz. It's with the unmounted set with the birds. I really liked the birds, which is why I bought the set. I thought that the scull was the duff one that I would never use, but it's the one I've used first and I love it!!
I stamped onto yellow crackle paint into which I had rubbed spiced marmalade distress ink. I find this paint much easier to get on with than the distress embossing powder - that image ended up in the bin :o(
The sentiment and shrink plastic bits and bobs are Tanda Stamps.
I also got a bit carried away with my favourite toy, my white paint pen.
I really enjoyed making this, and like all of my cards lately I've got a home for it to go to straight away.



I liked this challenge so much I decided to do it all over again!!
This one is made from K & Co Margo papers which are soooo lovely, very sparkely. The image is my one and only Tilda stamp. I do like her but don't feel the need to buy every one in the set (no hate mail please lol)
I edged the card in embossable tape glue, and glitz'd it up with tinsel embossing powder.
All the embellishments are K & Co - I think I got 'em as a set from QVC a couple of months ago. The wording is done using my Cuttlebug - I never though I'd get a die cutting machine, but I wouldn't be without my bug now.
It isn't much of a sentiment, but as it's my Grandma's 94th birthday next week I hope it's allowed.
Thanks so much for the challenge, hope to take part again next week.
http://ismaki.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/challenge-ismaki-16-beatrix/

The Sunday Stampers - When My Little Girl is Smiling

The theme for this Sunday's challenge is 'Face', so I had to use my favourite (for today at least) stamp. She's by Paperbag Studios, and even my hubby (who hates anything 'arty') likes her.
The backing paper is Basic Grey Scarlets Letter. It only arrived yesterday and I've cut into it already!!
I stamped the image onto white card and watercoloured her face. I then stamped onto the BG, cut out her face (ouch), then stuck it over the top.
I'm quite pleased with the result - makes her look pale and interesting.
The sentiment is torn from a HOTP book. I inked up some velum in red and black, tore out the middle and inked that up also, and stuck over the top with a couple of brads.
Bit of gold Krylon and red ribbon (managed to tie the bow with a bowmaker I found at the back of the drawer) and all done.
Just managed to take the photograph before the sun sank behind a rain cloud.
Hope you like it x
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/

Saturday Workout Challenge 1 - Distressed

This is my 1st entry for this new challenge blog. I will never give up my day job to become a photographer, but it really does look better in real life :o)
The ATC has been distress till it can be distressed no more!
Ripped background paper stuck down on base, then base Tim Holtz papper distressed. I fell out with this tool last week after I totally shredded an ATC, but it's back in favour again today.
The Usual Suspects (Art Declassified) was stamped onto glossy paper and coloured with distress inks. A white paint pen was used to highlight.
The faces and sentiment have been highlighted with Glossy Accents, but this does not show up too well.
Thanks for a fantastic challenge, looking forward to next weeks xx
http://saturdaysworkout.wordpress.com/

Funky Fairys Challenge - Stars & Stripes

Here is my entry for this weeks challenge. It couldn't have come at a better time, as my cousins 30th birthday is coming up quick. My new 'favourite stamp' is by Art Declassified, and is called The Usual Suspects.
There is the obligatory piece of Cuttlebuggin' and the chipboard is painted in silver acrylic dabber, with some punched stars in blue glitter card added.
Hope he likes it :o)
http://funkyfairychallenge.blogspot.com/

Wow

Arte Y Pico Award

I feel very honoured today to have received an award from Chris. Thank you so much xx.

The rules are as follows:


1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.


2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.


3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself.


4. The Award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte Y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.


5. To show these conditions.http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

Here are my choices to receive the award - I don't know if any of you have won it before, if you have it just proves how talented you are!!
Femmy http://zoiy.blogspot.com/
Wendy http://craftblog.craftybutterfly.co.uk/
Claire http://www.blogger.com/profile/09565717179478825295
Sian http://themadthoughtsofacraftycow.blogspot.com/
Heike http://stampingbalou.wordpress.com/

Lots To Do Challenges - Tag It

Key to Your Heart
This weeks challenge is to incorporate a tag into your project. I've used Paper Artsy, and Catslife Press stamps - stamped and coloured in distress inks. The Grungeboard heart and key has been painted in gold acrylic dabber, and held in place with red brads.
The tag has been mounted onto a acetate jacket, and a Creative Imaginations rub on has been used to finish off. I love these rub - ons, they are so versatile.
I think this is destined to be my sisters anniversary card soon.
Thanks for looking.
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/

The Sunday Stampers - We Are Family

The challenge this week is 'Family' I decided to go for an ATC as my stamps are quite small, and I struggle to make a card with small stamps - I freak out at the empty space :o). The background has been painted in H2O's in pink and purple, then a harlequin pattern stamped in silver. The family and sentiments have been stamped, cut out and Mod Podged.
The edges were attacked with a Tim Holtz paper distresser (what a mean tool this is!!) then inked with peeled paint distress ink.
The stamps are by Just for Fun, and Catslife Press. Hope you like. xx
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/

Funky Fairy's Challenge - Boyz2Men

The Funky Fairy's challenge this week is everybody's favourite, a boy/man theme. Always the easiest of cards to make - not!!
Didn't photograph too well, and scanned even worse lol too much metal and glitter I guess.
The background is from the boys and girls collection, in blue and purple. Silver mirror card has been Cuttlebug embossed, and the sizzix signpost is in blue glitter card.
The wording is actually the same shade of purple as the backing paper, - not the rather fetching pink as in the photograph!!
The stamp is by Penny Black, and it's the third time he's been out this week.
I enjoyed this challenge, and it's nice to be in front with a card for a change :o)
http://funkyfairychallenge.blogspot.com/

Lots To Do Challenges - Collage

The challenge this week is 'collage' , and I must admit this is something I really struggle with. But I had such fun making this card as I used some of my favourite stamps, and I got the Mod Podge out, which always cheers me up!!
Basically, the images have been stamped onto glossy card, coloured with distress inks, and cut out. Then stuck down with lots of Mod Podge to give a nice shine. I've highlighted bits with a white paint pen that I got in a closing down sale, and I wish I'd bought more 'cos I love it.
The stamps are from Lost Coast, Paper Artsy and Simple Expressions. The sentiment is from Penny Black.
No football this weekend, so I promise to be earlier with the next challenge :o)
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/

The Sunday Stampers - Transport

I'm a bit late with my challenges this week as I visited my sister at the weekend while the boys?? went to watch Barnsley at Wemberleee - enough said (and for those who have no idea what I am talking about they lost to Cardiff in the FA Cup)
This really hasn't photographed too well, but as it's hailstoning through the sunshine, I'll put it down to bad lighting lol.
This is an Elusive Images stamp that I don't use nearly enough, with a Stampboard tile in the middle.
The backing paper is actually orange (told you it hasn't photographed too well) Basic Grey.
The grungeboard has been painted with gold and bronze acrylic dabbers. It just arrived today from that well know auction site, and I love it.
It's my uncle's birthday soon so the 'happy birthday' stamp finished it off. I'l just leave it until the last minute now to post it:o)
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/

Lots To Do Challenges - Time

I've just discovered this lovely challenge site, and this weeks (I've got in with 3 hours to spare) is 'Time' I've made a very inky messy background with some Cherry Pie Art stamps, Cats Eye chalk, and distress inks. I've also overstamped with an Adirondack pearl paint dabber. This gives a lovely pearly finish - just like it says on the tin. The clocks are by Heidi Swapp , and the guy in the pocket watch is by Oxford Impressions.
There's an acetate jacket with more Heidi Swapp clocks, and I think the sentiment is by MSE.
I really enjoyed making this, and I'm looking forward to next weeks (Ok tomorrows) challenge xx
http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/

Funky Fariy's Challenge - Long Tall Sally

The challenge this week is to make something tall and slim - I've been trying to do this for the last 30 years!! I suppose I could claim my son who is 1/2 inch short of 6 foot, but I couldn't get him to pose for a card :o)
It just so happened that I got an e-mail from Funky Fairy's to say that they had a new Boys and Girls download available - well it would have been rude not to look!! So having purchased said download and now knowing how to store 'em on the computer, I chose a sheet of the girls paper as the base.
I think the Princess is a Lost Coast Design.The little madam stamps beautifully. A few gems and a crown brad from last weeks visit to a garden centre, and she was just about done.
I finished her off with an acetate overcoat, stabbed through both layers and tied with some pink organza ribbon.
The obligatory Prima's were stuck on top, and job done.
I am really enjoying the challenges, it's great to have a starting point for the card or whatever, and if it means having to buy some new papers etc well it's not my fault is it!!
Looking forward to next weeks xx
http://funkyfairychallenge.blogspot.com/

The Sunday Stampers

Mmmm - now first of all a little whinge. The theme this week is 'Going for Green' and Hels wanted us the hum the Going for Gold' theme tune. What actually happened was that I whistled Kermit the frogs 'It's not Easy being Green' for the best part of two hours. Now I'm a big fan of Kermit, and all things Muppety, but it seems that not everyone shares my enthusiasm!!
I have made a tag this week - didn't mean to, it started off as a card, but whoever said there are no mistakes in craft, just happy accidents needs to see my rubbish bin!!
The tag has been inked up with lots of different shades of green, and Moon Glowed with gold. The background stamp is by Elusive Images and has been inked in Adirondack lettuce.
The sentiment is by Simple Expressions. Same background stamp, but stamped onto a distressed inky background.
The flower is also by Simple Expressions. It's been stamped in lettuce, then stamped onto acetate. I embossed this with verdigris embossing powder - and it looked awful!!
BUT I turned it over, and it looked quite nice, kind of like molten glass, so it stayed :o)
The bit in the middle is another little S E stamps which was stamped in gold then ultra thick embossed.
A few prima's and a dragonfly brad and all done....
or so I thought....I couldn't let it rest, I wanted a card. So I folded a piece of acetate into a DL size, and lined it with some patterned velum (this doesn't show up to well on the photograph) I poked holes through both layers and threaded the gold ribbon through to join the layers together.
The tag has been stuck on the front, and a Serendipity sticker popped underneath.
I really enjoyed making this, but it certainly isn't easy being green....
http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/

Funky Fairys Challenge

I have just discovered this brilliant site, and it's given me just the inspiration I need to make a card for a friend who will be 20 next week. The theme is 'Bling' - something she will easily relate to!!
The backing papers are from the Pinkipops' download that I bought last year. They are 8x8 and print beautifully. Lovely fresh colours.
The stamp is by Stampotique. I fell in love with her last year when I saw her in Craft Stamper. She's great to use on modern fun cards.
A bit of matting and layering, a couple of Prima flowers, and then lots of Bling!!
The sentiment is also from the same download, then a bit of ribbon and all done!
I'm really pleased with the card, and I hope she likes it too.
Thanks so much for the challenge, and see you again next week :o)
http://funkyfairychallenge.blogspot.com/

Craft Swap Forum Hidden Depths Card

This is my 1st attempt at this challenge. The idea is to take a piece of 5x5 card, and fold it in such as way that the inside is hidden. Then decorate in the same theme, but different style. Simple eh -Not!!
The themes this time are punctuation, presents, and the one I've chosen passion.
I've folded my card, and for the outside decorated with sticky ribbons and a chipboard heart.
The inside has been brayer with a hearts design in red, then I've stamped the 'Paper Artsy Urban Snapshots' stamp onto red velum in black. I love this stamp, I've used it for every anniversary for the last year :o) The flowers and torn edge were then inked round with a gold pen.
I enjoyed making this, and it really was a challenge.
CSF Challenge

The Sunday Stampers

The theme this week is 'Party Party' and it has to incorporate a party hat.
It gave me the perfect opportunity to try out my new Lost Coast Designs
'Waiting for Mr Right' stamp. I inked up my background using red and yellow distress inks, then stamped the ladies with black stazon. I am really unsure what inks I can use where so stazon is always a safe bet!
Then a bit of matting and layering with some K&Co papers, and some further stamping with the 'stitches' clear stamps that were in the QVC tsv last Summer.
Final background was inked up again as before, and finished off with the moonglow spritz in cactus gold.
The paper hats have been 'glossy accented' as has the clock on the party time sentiment.
I am ashamed to say that I sat at the computer waiting for Hels to post the challenge - sad or what!!
The Sunday Stampers

Sunday Stampers Laydeee

Here is my card for this weeks Sunday Stampers challenge. I spent an hour messing with my Paper Artsy 'Mother Nature' stamp, but I couldn't get her to look right, so I got out my Stamp Camp 'Mona' and had a go with her!
I have stamped with one of those huge multi coloured dye ink pads in 'folliage' colours. The corners and 'mask' are a set of clear stamps that I got from US last year on holiday.
The crown and 'smile' are both Heidi Swapp's stamped, embossed and cut out.
As Mona is a lady I have given her a set of pearls and some paper artsy 'scrap'.
I then broke with all tradition and tidied my mess up straight away as I left my Easter cards till the last minute and will have to do a couple after work tomorrow.
I am so glad I have taken part in the last two challenges, I've really enjoyed them. xx

A Birthday Card For My Mum

It's my mum's birthday today so I have made her a card. She's not very fond of the inky stampy messy type, but she loves flowers.
I took a deep breath and used my 1st sheet from my K&Co Chocolate Neopolitan scrap pad. It's double sided so I covered the chipboard frame with the reverse of the base sheet.
I stamped the Heidi Swapp 'happy birthday' on a lovely piece of patterned velum that I received in a goody bag from a great guy on CSF.
There's also lots of Prima flowers, and some brown and pink polka dot ribbon held in place with a ribbon brad.
The quality of the paper meant that the card felt really substantial, but not bulky.
I'm pleased to say that my mum loved the card so I don't feel too bad about cutting into the paper pad lol.

My First Attempt at a Challenge

I though I would like to take part in a challenge, and I really liked the look of Hels' Sunday Stampers on CSF. The theme this week is Oriental, and while I don't have many oriental stamps, I do have this large one from Stamp Camp. Every time I look on their web site I end up spending a fortune.
The ladies were stamped and clear embossed, and then masked. I then stamped the blossoms in yellow and orange distress inks, and swirled the colours around a bit with a watercolour brush.
To glitz it up a little I sprayed with some gold Moon Glow spritzy type stuff that I've had for years and never used. It then needed a quick blast with my heat gun as it had a bad attack of the curly edges!!
The ladies are coloured with Marvy le plume pens and a water brush.
To finish I inked the edges with a gold krylon which I have just discovered thanks to everyone on CSF. I added a stamped bamboo tile and some coins tied with raffia.
I really enjoyed taking part in the challenge, and am looking forward to next Sundays.x

Computers!!!!

I've been trying to upload some photographs to put on here - just a tad stressful. I should do it more often, that way I would remember how to do it. My son bless him tries to be patient and help me but that means missing valuable play station time!!

Welcome to my blog

If you knew me you would know that I'm the last person on Earth to set up a blog!
I know nothing about computers, but after seeing all the inspiration on the Craft Swap Forum I decided that I would give it a go.
I certainly won't be posting every day, or even every week, but I hope that creating this will help me to get my butt in gear and take part in a few challenges.
Here's hoping....