Boxing Day at our lake

Guilt overtook me and I went with Teddy to the lake for a bracing walk after a very indulgent Christmas Day dinner! The weather was superb and although the sun was in the wrong position, I took this photo anyway.

Favourite card of 2010

At Lotstodo, the challenge this week is to enter your favourite card of the past year. Here is mine. It was quite difficult to get the spacing right with the trees but I am happy with the result. The tree is a Clarity stamp and the text is by the Stamp Barn in Canada.

A snow dog!

Teddy loves the snow and enjoys running around in it, though I usually have to "dunk" him in the bath afterwards to thaw out his little legs where the snow freezes to his fur! Don't forget to click on the photos for a better view.

Snowy morning

Sorry I've not posted on my blog for ages. Most of you will know that I have had mega computer problems involving "Damien" being in intensive care for 6 weeks! All seems well now and hopefully normal service can be resumed! Woke up to snow this morning and with the sun on the mountains just had to take several (dozen!) photos! Here are just a couple. This is the view from our terrace.

Sheena Douglas's leaf demo

I was so inspired by Sheena's demo yesterday on C&C that I had to have a go myself. I am really pleased with the end result. I especially like the idea of putting a shadow around part of the leaves to make them "pop" out.

Halloween challenge

This is my entry for this week's challenge on Lotstodorevisited. If any of you used to subscribe to Craft Creations magazine (which I think was one of the earliest card makers' magazines)you may have seen the template for this witch which appeared in one of the first few editions. Unfortunately, I still haven't found a recipient for this card!

The statue again!

I meant to upload 2 photos but the blogger got the better of me as usual! Here is other view that I meant to post a minute ago!

Is stat you?!!!!!!

Hi guys. Well I spent yesterday doing a workshop in Paverpol which I had seen many years ago demonstrated on Create and Craft and really fancied having a go! There were nine of us and we all came away with something pleasing, although I wish mine wasn't quite so ugly!!!!! Here are a couple of photos. Let me know what you think - honestly!!

Easelphant card

I'm always late trying new techniques but this is my very first "easel" card! It is for an Italian friend who loves images of elephants, hence the title "Easelphant card"! I think I'll be trying lots of other cards in this format as I like the added interest.

Oriental lady

Not been a very good blogger lately - sorry folks! Had a 2 week holiday and came home to lots of computer problems. All sorted now, so here is my entry for this week's challenge on Lotstodo which is Oriental.

When Teddy met Loli.....

Here they are, the two "betrothed". Sir Edward finally met his Spanish "Contessa" yesterday and was besotted as you can see. Loli however, decided to "play hard to get"! Well, it WAS just their first date and there were chaperones around! He has invited her to the "royal palace" next Thursday and is already planning a romantic meal together "a deux"!

Fairies or Angels

Well, at last I managed to enter this week's Lotstodo challenge! So here is my entry. Hope you like it! I love her boots!

Zentangle egg

Technology and I don't make good bedfellows! I uploaded this photo and promply lost it in cyberspace so if anyone finds it, can you please let me know!

Zentangles

The challenge on Lots to Do this week is Zentangles which I really enjoy. It's just a posh name for doodling which is very relaxing (hence the "zen" in zentangles). Some time ago I posted a coloured zentangle (they are usually done in black ink) of my hand so apologies for submitting yet another, this time with a coloured background. If you just draw round your hand you have ready made shapes to doodle inside, making starting off easier. I also did an egg shape on a pale brayered background. Check out this link
www.zentangle.com You'll soon be hooked too!

Christmas calligraphy verse

I've been having a look through my calligraphy drawer with a view to picking up where I left off nearly 20 years ago and saw this verse. The lettering isn't great as it was one of my very early pieces but I do love the sentiment and the style of the stained glass. Must have had more imagination in those days - lol! The parchment is a lovely pale green which doesn't show up too well but of course the smudge at the "t" in stall does - typical! I do have to say that the smudge wasn't there 20 years ago - honest!

Calligraphy competition entry

We've been posting about calligraphy on LTDR today so I just wanted to share a piece I did almost 20 years ago at night school in Scotland for an Osmiroid competition. I didn't win but enjoyed taking part. I love penmanship but it is a long laborious process not only in the learning but also in the preparation as you have to rule up all the lines in pencil first. Of course, if you arrive at the last word of your masterpiece and make an error........... or even worse notice a spelling mistake!!!

Sir Ted immortalised!

Here's a card I made today for a dear, dog-lover friend of mine. Teddy loves this doggy bag (note the little teddies all over it?) and when he hops into it, we call him "boil in a bag" dog, especially in this heatwave! This was also my first time using Safmat. It is probably best on top of coloured card or paper where the edges might show less.

Embossed feather

This I took from an idea at my picture framing class where someone had an image of a water-colour feather with a mount featuring an embossed feather which exactly echoed the painting. Not being an artist, this is how I interpreted it. Don't forget to click on the picture for a closer view.

Latest picture framing project

I wanted to reframe this painting that my DH had done a couple of years ago. He had an exhibition and needed to frame the picture in a hurry and very cheaply. So here is what I did with it.

Hats or Crowns challenge

Finally managed to submit an entry this week! Here's my take on this week's challenge on LTDR. The girl was a free download and the frame is made from Clarity Stamp corners. Punched flowers, jewels and computer generated wording completes this A5 card.

Modest craft grab in Glasgow!

On our whistle-stop trip to Glasgow to change the car last week, I managed to make some time to pick up one or two bits - all essentials of course! I can't believe how restrained I was. Still, it was only 12 weeks since I was last there (see photo of craft stash then below!)

Mail art entry

Here I am at the 11th hour submitting my entry to this week's challenge on Lotstodo, which is Mail Art. As I have the necessary Clarity stamps, it seemed a shame not to enter. I have to admit, it is an unfinished card but hope it fits the bill. I'll finish it off later.

Side view of Japanese picture

Just wanted to show the depth in this picture which was the whole point of it. The "screens" gradually come towards you and were built up with lots of layers.

Second embellishment.....to Japanese photo

After several unsuccessful attempts to upload the other photos, I have blogged this just to let you know that I am having problems. Sorry! If the photos load, then I stand corrected! Let me know your preferred embellishment in the bottom left-hand corner. Thanks.

Can't blog other images at the moment

For reasons unknown to me, I seem unable to add any other photos to my blog at the moment so can't give you the alternative embellishment to choose from. See technology!

Third picture framing project

Well folks, here is my third and latest project in the art of picture mounting. I can't really call it picture framing as it is more about the image and surrounding mount than the frame which is done by professionals. This was a pretty challenging project which I am delighted to say that I managed to complete and in a very short space of time! Just wish I had made more notes! You will need to click on the image to see it closer. The 3 "sliding screens" on the left are all graded, one behind the other which is why I have shown 3 images in total - sorry if it gets a bit boring! I still haven't decided which embellishment I should add bottom left so if you would like to leave your opinion, I would be very grateful. Personally, I lean towards the gold square (difficult to see, I know)but others have said that they prefer the longer, copper one which echoes the screens. I will add whichever on the outside of the glass (as advised my prof) when the votes are counted!

Second framed picture

Not having posted on my blog for ages, I sure am making up for it tonight! Here is my second picture framing project that I finished yesterday. I got a little more adventurous and did a double bevel! Sounds like an ice skating manoeuvre! My next project is in the planning stage but is very ambitious. If I can pull it off, I will be very chuffed with myself. Watch this space........well in a few weeks' time maybe!
Don't forget to click on the picture for a closer view.

Well one tree even!

Don't know what happened there but my two trees became one so here is the missing one!

Tree cards, well two actually!

I finally got around to stamping with my Elusive Images tree stamps after having them for a couple of months! Here's the results. Both backgrounds were made with Distress inks sprayed with water on the craft sheet then the cards were dragged through the inks. The card with 2 trees has its leaves embossed in gold.

Hot air balloon

I glanced out of my bedroom window this morning and what did I see? A dirty big hot air balloon a-lookin at me! So out I went in my "goonie" to take a photo of it as it drifted over our garden. Coincidentally, Lottie posted a photo of a hot air balloon over HER garden at almost the same time. Are they taking over the world? We should be told!

Putting on the Glitz!

My mojo finally crept out of hiding this morning and I managed to make this card. It is a project on one of my Debbi Moore CD's (Glitter & Glitz, Magic Moments). I'm very happy with it but only problem is it does use up rather a lot of expensive printer ink! However, for a special birthday, I'm willing to accept that!

Unfinished card

I finally managed some play time yesterday after having been laid low with a virus so I decided to try out this technique that I had seen demoed in Glasgow. I already had the Dreamweaver tree stencil so felt I was halfway there. First you put soap on the stencil to prevent it sticking too well to the double sided adhesive sheet you place it on. Then you sprinkle on some gilding flakes (which fly everywhere!). Take off the stencil and sprinkle black glitter over the "trees" which are left sticky (the glitter gets everywhere too!)then cut it out and stick it to card. Might try it next time on a smaller stencil as it uses up quite a lot of flakes. Nice effect though!

Latest craft stash!

Had a great time at the craft fair and as you can see managed to do my bit for the British economy! I can't wait to get started playing with all my goodies. Pride of place is my new red laptop and digital camera which even takes photos in sepia!

Birthday cards for the BIG one!

I have been very naughty and opened all my birthday cards even though the day of trauma isn't until Sunday! I didn't want them to spoil in all the travelling and we are on Ryanair and every ounce counts! Here are two photos - one of the wonderful cards and presents from my dear Lotstodo friends and one showing all the cards received so far.

Picture framing - my first attempt!

I started going to picture framing classes about a month ago and this is my first "oeuvre". Not very exciting but it was just to learn the basics. Hoping the next one will be more impressive! (Sorry for the flare on the glass)

Craft Day at Keri's

Here is a photo that I took of our craft day today. Everyone had a fun day and went away with at least a couple of stunning hand made boxes. From left to right they are, Laura, Denise, Keri, Martha, Morag and Catrin. Think we just might have a few more craft converts!

Tag card

I am ashamed to see how long it is since I last posted on my blog. Soooooo sorry, folks! At last I have managed to find time to do the latest challenge on Lotstodo which this week is to make an unusually shaped tag. I hope mine fits the bill. I stippled the background using bubble wrap and Distress inks, repeating the colours I had used on the tag. Then I stamped out the watch faces and embossed them in gold. I typed "tempus fugit" (how true that is as I fly towards becoming an oap in 3 week's time!) and wrapped some gold cord around the tag. It was finished off with some more cord and coloured wool. I did a blue insert to finish off the card which is heading to UK for someone's birthday. Hope they like it!

For Craig

Sadly I had to make this bereavement card for the husband of a friend of mine who died recently. I had been saving the alcohol ink background as I didn't want to cover it with anything until now when I realised that I could put this verse on top and it wouldn't detract from the background, rather I felt that it would enhance it.