Saturday, 24 December 2016

Merry Christmas!

I've been crafting and baking so hard I've sweat glitter for the past two days 😁
Here is the result...
First is the card I made for Meg, using a mixture of inkylicious, Hobby Art and Lavinia stamps. It was a bit of an experiment and I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I am pretty happy with it. The only thing I would change if I did it again would be to not use my largest circle die for the apperture as I had to hand cut the semi circles from  the white card on the front.
Next are two cards using various hobby Art stamps and inspired by the one that Lynne (Creative Lynks) made me.
I used Zig Clean color markers to colour them all and versafine to stamp them. The sentiment on the last one is from Inkylicious.
I just want to say that I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and I will no doubt be in blog land again once Boxing Day is over. Hope Santa is good to you all! I'd offer you a mince pie, but Tescos were all out of mincemeat, so its Spiced apple muffins instead and a drop of Gluwein!

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, 18 December 2016

Apologies and some photos

My visits to blog land are very few and far between at the moment. So sorry if I haven't managed to visit your blogs. I still have two days at school to go, and have ticked off 4 panto performances, a Christingle, a nativity, a Christmas party, and an awards assembly.  There is chicken pox, winter vomiting virus and a nasty chesty cold going round so I'm thinking of suggesting a whole class nap lasting both days!
I did a bit of Christmas shopping a couple of weekends ago and popped to Rufford Park where there are a few shops selling nice food, warm hats, gifts and books. When I got there I discovered the shop didn't open until 10.30 so I had nearly an hour to kill. I popped back to the car and grabbed my camera (I tend to take it everywhere with me) and set off towards the lake.
 A group of Mallards came running to greet me but quickly lost interest when I had no food for them.
The reflections in the lake of the winter foliage were beautiful...
and the black-headed gulls seemed to be enjoying a the peace and quiet as much as I was.
As I stood watching them I saw a splash in the water, and then another a few minutes later. I trained my camera on it and zoomed in. Please forgive the awful quality of the photo (I will go back soon with a tripod).... It was a kingfisher!
After a few minutes I was joined by a robin, who may well have fed from my hand if I had taken some food - he was so tame that his feathers brushed my elbow as he hopped by.

I realised the shop had been open for a good 20 minutes by this stage and reluctantly continued on my way. Further round the lake I spotted a Goosander (another poor photo I am afraid)
That hour of solitude in the company of nature left me feeling so much happier than Christmas shopping does! I hope your Christmas shopping is done and you are able to enjoy a few minutes peace doing something you love.
Thanks for looking!

Thursday, 8 December 2016

Chalkola Markers


Take a look at these lovelies! They arrived at the weekend. I have been asked to put them through their paces and review these Chalk markers from Chalkola
 The Markers are for use on Non Porous Surfaces like Chalkboards, Whiteboards, Glass, Plastic and Windows. They are also great on glazed ceramics. As a teacher I will be taking these to work and using them in the classroom - great for diagrams and drawings on the whiteboard or blackboard. As a card maker I was eager to find out what they were like on coated card stock and can say I am very impressed by the chalk finish and depth of colour. Here are the Earth tones...
And here are the party colours (neon)
They have been designed to be erasable from non pourous surfaces, and they certainly are, but if you want them to be more permanent, you can heat set them. They are odourless and non-toxic too, so great for crafting with the kids.
I was able to use them like a paint and dilute them with water as well as mixing colours together. The chalk finish was still there with diluted colours. I will continue to experiment!
Please excuse the quality of the photos - I am not home during daylight in the week at the moment.
These pens would also be wonderful for writing up menus in bijou tea shops and cafes ...
Chalkola are being very generous, because if you want to try them for yourself, they would love to offer readers of my blog a 20% flat discount on all Chalkola Products. You can get this by quoting this coupon code20OFFSTR
Here are a couple of links to the products
6mm Pens - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chalk-Pens-markers-Whiteboard-Chalkboard/dp/B00VVOWCSC

Earth Colors - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chalk-Pens-Whiteboard-Chalkboard-Blackboard/dp/B01E17WAQO
Thanks for looking!

Sunday, 4 December 2016

December at Stamping Sensations

Good Morning! It is the first Sunday of the Month and time for a new Challenge over at Stamping Sensations! This month's theme is...........

********Floral Fancies********

As the title suggests we want to see lots of flowers this month..........

I've chosen roses and started by creating an inky background with distress inks on Silk art card. I then placed a stencil over the top and removed some of the ink with a baby wipe. Once this was dry I stamped the rose image (Inkylicious) in memento back ink.
This card is done in the same way but different colours and a touch of glitter on the tips of the petals.

Please can I remind you we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image, sentiment or quote as the focal element of your artwork.Conventional rubber/acrylic stamps and digital images are acceptable, but pre-coloured digital images and toppers are not. And please note: if we do not comment on your entry it will be because it does not follow the theme, qualify under our rules, or because we are asked to sign in or provide additional data to comment. We do not want to be rude but we do want to be fair to those who do follow the rules.

We have a fabulous bundle of Sizzix goodies from one lucky winner this month, but there is more......in the spirit of Christmas our Top 3 will also receive a surprise gift from us.


Sizzix, there's no bigger or better place for craft materials, custom dies and machines that can die-cut, emboss and texturize many materials, including cardstock, paper, construction paper, fabric, faux fur, felt and foil plus much more.

 Do pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the fantastic creations by my lovely teamies. There is some wonderful inspiration again this month! Hope you get the chance to join in and I'll look forward to seeing all your lovely creations! 

Saturday, 26 November 2016

Dora's Snow people

It is the last Rudolf day before Christmas, so I have been busy making. These are all made with Digis from dora-knutselhoekje.blogspot.co.uk . Dora has been very busy drawing some gorgeous snowmen. They were all so cute I couldn't decide which one to choose and in the end I had two!
 I coloured them with Be Creative alcohol markers and added some glitter.
 The papers are all from my stash and all Dovecraft, I think, gathered over the years
You can find Dora's digis here, and all of them cost 2.5 Euros.
I'd like to say another huge thank you to Scrappy Mo for getting me organised making my Christmas cards again. It has been a pleasure seeing all the lovely inspiration and visiting fellow Rudolf day-ers too.
The challenge at Allsorts this week is 'Anything Christmas' so I am entering them there too.
Can I just say that I apologise if I don't get round to see you. It has taken me so long to add links to this post and find everything after the blogger shake up. I hate it! I'd quite like 5 minutes alone in a room with the 'bright spark' that thought it up... If it ain't broke why fix it? They seem to think blogging is only about posting and not about reading other peoples's blogs, and god forbid people wanting to link to another blog or trying to run several blogs. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! Rant over!
Thanks for looking! 

Monday, 21 November 2016

One Day Special from Be Creative

 Be Creative are launching a great value lovely selection of stamps today on Hochanda.
 These are a few of the samples I have made using them. The first and third sample I stamped with Versafine ink and used zig clean color markers. The second sample was stamped with water-based momento
 This fourth sample was stamped in kaleidacolor ink and then spread with the new be creative water brush
 I love making frames with small stamps and this holly branch is perfect for it, as was the holly stamp I used on the first card.
 I also love making my own backgrounds using stamping and coordinating ink. The small present was perfect for this.
Do tune in and watch if you can at 8pm  - quick - pop the telly on now!!!

Saturday, 19 November 2016

Mid month inspiration for Stamping Sensations

Our mid month posts at Stamping Sensations are to feature each DT members 'go to' stamp. My Go to stamp had to feature a tree, but which one?! After much thought I went for this treescape by Inkylicious.

 I have used it for Birthdays, Christmas, Father's day and sympathy cards. It is such a versatile stamp.



Thanks for looking!

Saturday, 12 November 2016

Feature a Creature at Allsorts

The theme of Feature a Creature at Allsorts seemed like the perfect opportunity to share a card I made for my friend's son, who turned eighteen last month. I used Lavinia stamps, memento inks and inkylicious ink dusters. There is some fabulous inspiration from the Allsorts DT on their blog.
Short and sweet from me today as I have a mountain of things to do this weekend. I will try and visit blogland a bit more soon.
Thanks for looking!

Sunday, 6 November 2016

November Challenge at Stamping Sensations

Good Morning! It is the first Sunday of the Month and time for a new Challenge over at Stamping Sensations! This month we have a nice and easy theme for you...............

********Christmas Greetings********

As the title suggests we want to see a Christmas Greetings on your creation, this can be the focal element or an added stamped sentiment.
My card was made with Inkylicious stamps, memento inks and ink dusters. The image is coloured with alcohol markers and the tartan paper is from Craftwork Cards.
Please can I remind you we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image, sentiment or quote as the focal element of your artwork.Conventional rubber/acrylic stamps and digital images are acceptable, but pre-coloured digital images and toppers are not. And please note: if we do not comment on your entry it will be because it does not follow the theme, qualify under our rules, or because we are asked to sign in or provide additional data to comment. We do not want to be rude but we do want to be fair to those who do follow the rules.


Stamp Addicts are our lovely sponsors this month and are offering a super £35 store voucher for our lucky winner. Do pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the fantastic creations by my lovely teamies. There is some wonderful inspiration for Christmas this month! Hope you get the chance to join in and I'll look forward to seeing all your lovely creations!  
Sorry I haven't been around in blog land much. It has been a bit of a crazy first week back to work. I can't see it slowing down in the run up to Christmas either! Thanks for looking!

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Rudolf days for October

 Good morning! Happy Rudolf day! As it is half term I have been a busy bee and made four cards for this month to take over to Scrappy Mo's for the challenge. I started off by stamping the woodware holly stamp all over an A5 sheet of cartridge paper using versafine. I then used my Zig Clean Color markers to colour it. I dusted tea dye distress ink over the finished sheet and added glossy accents to the berries and spots of glitter glue in between.
 I sliced it up into two long panels and two square panels, matted and layered and popped onto cream card blanks. There are one or two smudges covered by carefully placed ribbon, and a dodgy stamping of a sentiment,but on the whole they worked out fine. I do like the zig pens (one of my purchases from Doncaster), they blend so well!
 Unfortnately I don't think the stamps are available any more. They came out about the same time as the tipsy trees, and I have used them most years since. I do love how Rudolf days challenge helps me to use lots of my old stamps too!
Right, I'd better go as Steve and I are off out for a walk. I have been quite inactive since we got back from Wales other than my Karate classes and a walk round Chatsworth. Will try and post some photos soon.
Thanks for looking!

Sunday, 23 October 2016

Sparkle and Shine

 Good morning! Hope you are having a lovely weekend so far! When I saw the challenge at Allsorts this week I knew I had a card that fit the bill! I made this for my lovely colleague Sarah, who keeps me sane every day! I used Visible image and Inkylicious stamps, along with Distress inks in mermaid lagoon, picked raspberries and seedless preserves. I dusted the inks onto silk art card and used a stencil and a baby wipe to remove some colour in places. When it was dry I stamped the rain drops (Inkylicious) in memento black, adding a bit of sparkle with a gelly roll clear stardust pen. When it was dry I stamped the girl and the sentiment (visible Image) in Versamark and embossed with Be creative black sparkle embossing powder. It really was very sparkly, but unfortunately the camera hasn't really picked it up. It didn't help that there wasn't enough natural light either. Here is a close up where you can see a little bit of twinkle, but not half as much as there was in real life!
 I stamped the base card with Visible image stamps in the same inks and dusted with the same inks. The matting and layering was done with snippets so I am nipping off to Miss Di's snippet playground with this too.
We have just returned from a few days away in mid Wales. The rain certainly didn't dull Nature's sparkle. Here is the view from our cottage... Sheep rather than gold at the end of that rainbow!
 We spent a day at Lake Vyrnwy and saw more rainbows...
 There is some beautiful scenery around the lake and there are several waymarked RSPB walks giving stunning views of the lake.
 Here is a close-up of the tower on the lake. It may house various instruments to do with the reservoir's water, but whoever designed it make it look like something from a fairytale!
 The waterfall looked so beautiful surrounded by the Autumn colours and the sun provided beautiful spotlights as we walked.

Thanks for looking!

Monday, 17 October 2016

Clean and Simple and Doncaster

Lynne and I had a lovely time at Doncaster Dome on Sunday. It was lovely to chat with Deby from Inkylicious, Gordon from Be Creative, The lovely flower making ladies at Pink Frog and Jenny Mayes at Hobby Art. We spent a while watching Jenny demo the new Zig pens and had a go ourselves too before they fell into our baskets. We also met the lovely Zoe Sanderson on the Inkylicious stall. Zoe and I met a few years back at a workshop in Peterborough and we have been in touch in blog land ever since. Do pop over to Zoe's blog and take a look at her stunning creations. I am particularly in awe of her jewellery making skills and regularly drool over her necklaces and other creations. 
I haven't had chance to do much crafting in the run up to half term but hopefully will get round to doing a bit more in the next couple of weeks.
Here are a couple of very quick cards I made with the Woodware stamps called small fennel a few weeks back. I used memento and distress inks to dust and stamp with, along with an inkylicious text stamp for the background of the second. These are very simple five minute cards that were inspired by some samples I saw when visiting PDA Cards and Craft at Langley Mill.
As I used some snippets of brown card to mat the images I am taking these to the snippet playground to see Miss Di. I am so sorry I missed your 250th playground, Miss Di, but I am here for 251st!
Thanks for looking and for all your lovely comments x

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Another Digi from Dora

Here is my latest DT offering for Dora's Digis which are here on her blog. I coloured it with Be Creative Alcohol markers and created the background in the panel with ink dusters.I added some stamped birds (Inkylicious) The background paper is from Craftwork Cards and the ribbon was in my stash. This reminded me so much of my visit to Rwanda where I walked with the Giraffes in the Akegera National Park.
 We got out of the minibus and walked towards the giraffes, and they walked towards us...
 Here is a photo I took.
Such beautiful creatures! Thanks for looking!