Picture framing but not as we know it!

Hi folks. Well, I've just survived the 2nd hurricane in my life, here in S.W. France over this weekend. (The first was in West Sussex in England on 16 October 1987). I just hope I never see the devastation of a third one. Huge oak trees were uprooted and tossed around like matchsticks, not to mention the loss of human life.
63 hours without electricity was a bind but we were luckier than some in this area so we have reason to be thankful. It is wonderful how the whole community comes together in times of mutual crisis too. Just a pity it takes a crisis.........
Anyway, to happier things. I have mentioned in the past about a lovely lady who does "picture framing". This term cannot possibly encapsulate her wonderfully imaginative creations. They are not about the central image but rather combine the whole piece, frame, image and surround. She decided to come on one of my craft workshops recently and brought some of her pieces with her so that I could photograph them to convey to you all just how stunning they are. I'm sure you'll agree with me that she is one very talented lady!

Key challenge

Time constraints have forced me to rush into this week's Lotstodo challenge and here is the result. I'm not very pleased with it but it meets the criteria I hope!

Newspaper Challenge

Phew, just managed to get this finished with only hours to spare for the Lotstodo challenge this week - newspaper. I decided to take Hilda's advice and try the clear tape method of transferring newsprint to card. This was my first attempt and I only had narrow sellotape. However, I DID manage to transfer a small piece from a Chinese newspaper that a friend of mine had given me, so I guess it qualifies! For the background of the card I loaded my brayer with Adirondack Stained Glass ink then took off most of it on a piece of scrunched up typing paper, then rolled it over my card. Then I stamped and embossed in gold the 3 calligraphic symbols. I stamped the Japanese ladies and matted them on some lovely lilac paper. Finally I added the complimentary little adhesive "seal" between the two images. You will need to click on the newsprint to have any chance of reading it - LOL!

Bind it All book

Yes, I know I'm a bit premature putting a photo of my book covers on here but I love them so much that I couldn't help myself. Some of you will know that I gave in to lust and bought myself a wonderful Bind It All machine recently for making little books. At last I have found a use for all my scrumptious papers! I am still waiting for the wires to arrive before I can bind it so I'll post the finished mini book when it is finally done. Now what can I fill it with............?!

Sunday funday!

I have had such fun this afternoon experimenting with "stamping in soot" and "fake leather" courtesy of Sam and Hilda, my dear craft forum friends over at Lotstodo. I also had a play with my Adirondack alcohol inks on a plain white tile. I could have saved us a fortune if I'd discovered this technique before we tiled our en-suite" bathroom! Don't forget to click on the photos for a (hopefully) better view!

Panda car(d)

Whilst stamping out some images for my friend Tess, in Canada, I nicked a couple to make this card for a friend here in France. I'm quite pleased with the outcome. Hope she likes it when it arrives!

Winter Wonderland

This is the view from my craft room today. Couldn't resist taking a photo to share with you all.

Time challenge

This is my entry for the "Time" challenge on Lotstodo this week. It is a slightly tenuous link, I must confess, but there is a clock on the card and it says "Special Times". If you click on the picture you should be able to read it. The card was made using Bondaweb which was painted, then ironed onto card. I peeled off the backing paper and added glitter, gold threads, a gold leaf and the clock. "Special Times" made me think of wedding anniversaries so I added a peel-off to complete the card.

Altered CD

Well folks, here it is. My very first altered CD. Up until yesterday, all I'd ever done was play them! This is my contribution to a challenge on my craft forum and had to be a CD with an oriental theme, some gold, some fibres and NO red. I really enjoyed working within some guidelines, helped concentrate the mind.

I began by covering the shiny side with Adirondack alcohol inks in Denim and Stream, then I stamped a Chinese dragon and a Chinese fish twice in black Stazon. I added some gold leaf and some fibres. On the reverse, I covered it with calligraphic paper using mod podge and added 2 little gold embossed fans. Don't forget to click on the images for a better view. I hope you like it Alison.