And now it's Friday and the weekend starts here

Morning all

It's been a  bit of a full on week and I won't bore you all with the details, suffice it to say that FINALLY, things are all starting to come together - YAY! I LOVE it when a plan comes together, don't you?

I get e-mails regarding SplitCoastStampers projects and one hit my inbox on Wednesday that I thought was so fun that I had to have a look and see if I couldn't make something similar .... Of course, if I'd paid attention and used masking tape instead of fussy measuring .. well, YOU KNOW! Anyway, here's my take on SELFIES/photobomb .. THE perfect way to use an image that's too big to put on an ATC by itself! .. like both the cityscape AND the sheep! Mine doesn't bear much resemblance to the Splitcoaststampers project as I decided to make mine in to an ATC!

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippet of grey card with a 5cm square aperture cut
• Snippet of white card cut to 5.2cm square
• Stampers Anonymous Cityscape image stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink and alcohol markers used to colour
• HobbyArt sheep image stamped on to separate piece of white card  using Ranger Archival jet black ink and colour using Zig clean colour brush pen (cool grey 01) and fussy cut out
• Once my cut out sheep was positioned against my London skyline I placed behind the aperture, with her ear artistically overlapping (Well that's my theory anyway!)
• Stamplorations sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• Black Pitt pen to draw a border around the "polaroid"
• Stardust stickles to add highlights

I'll be entering the above ATC for the following challenges:

1. Addicted to Stamps - challenge No. 201 - ANYTHING GOES
2. Create and  Inspire - challenge No. 48 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Cheeky Challenge - challenge No. 24 - COMEDY or HUMOUR

Then I thought of a different approach, so there was nothing for it but to have another go ... now I'm wishing I had the polaroid die that the people over at Splitcoaststampers had!!! Boy that penguin looks super grumpy!

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of: navy card, gold card, white card
• Katzelkraft grumpy penguin stamped using Memento tuxedo black ink on to white card snippet and again on to a post it which I then cut out to use as a mask
• Stampers Anonymous Cityscape image stamped on to white card snippet
• Alcohol markers to colour
• Stamplorations sentiment stamped using Color Box white ink
• Stardust stickles to highlight

I'll be entering this for the following challenges:-

1. Creative Knockouts - challenge No. 149 - ANIMAL ANTICS
2. As You Like It - June 30th challenge - FAVOURITE MARKERS .. who doesn't love the way alcohol markers blend seamlessly and the fact you can build up shading ... I used alcohol markers in the pointillism style to add colour to my buildings

And now for the Friday Funny, this week we can all blame .... Marsha! Just what we all need for a summer office party!

Have a great weekend

It's Wednesday and that can only mean WOYWW!

Morning all

What a day yesterday was? We were expecting the carpet fitter yesterday in order that we could draw a line under the marathon that started as a bit of a refresh in our spare room .. frankly, we had no idea when we started that so much would be involved. Turned from a refresh in to a total refurbishment but, we are finally at an end.

STILL stuck on the ATC making trail, I made these and I can't quite make up my mind which one I prefer .. again, they're the same but different! - I used the same components and simply different colours ... 

Mark I ATC

Mark II ATC

Materials used:

• ATC blanks
• Snippets of 300gsm card in gunmetal grey and rich chocolate (Newbury stash!) and 200gsm white card ... for the image panel
• Inkadinkado row of bears stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink. I also stamped on to a post it which I cut out to use as a mask later
• Alcohol markers to colour images including background
• Paper Artsy splatter image along with Kaisercraft "crackle" and "mini grid" images 
• Inks used: Delicata golden glitz, Memento rosebud, angel pink, sweet plum, bamboo leaves and Brilliance olive
• Stardust stickles to highlight

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:

1. Cheeky Challenge - challenge No. 25 - COMEDY or HUMOUR
2. Tuesday Throwdown - challenge No. 301 - EXOTIC ANIMALS .. go on, tell me dancing bears aren't exotic animals!!!
3. Crafting from the heart - challenge No. 119 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Craft Your Passion - challenge No. 319 - ANYTHING GOES

And now, since it IS WOYWW (week #370) I shall be entering my humble workspace ...... I'm entry #13

A Tuesday post?

Morning all,

Yes, I know you don't expect a post from me of a Tuesday but ... frankly, I've been crafting like a crazy person and already have two projects set up to appear tomorrow so I thought "what the heck" I'll scare blogland and post on a Tuesday too!!!

My card

And a closer view, to show the sheen on the Delicata ink

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• 15cm square white, 250gsm, card blank and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to 13½cm square
• One piece of dark chocolate card cut to mat with a 1.6mm border
• Two pieces of gold pearlised card cut to mat with a 1.6mm border
• Penny Black bough stamped using Memento rich cocoa ink
• Penny Black sentiment and Paper Artsy splatter stamped using Delicata golden glitz ink
• Platinum stickles to highlight

The materials made both the card above and below

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:-

1. Crafty Boots - July 4th challenge - CHRISTMAS IN JULY
2. Come And Get It - July 3rd challenge - CHRISTMAS IN JULY
3. QKR Stampede - challenge No. 198 - CHRISTMAS IN JULY
4. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - challenge No. 288 - VINTAGE or ANYTHING GOES
5. Just For Fun Rubber Stamps - July challenge - CHRISTMAS IN JULY with added sparkle

Just For Fun

And now for another "same but different" .. whilst I had the stamps out ....

My card

And a closer view to show the sheen of the delicata ink and the twinkle of the stickles

 

 The front, back and inside of the card along with the front and back of the envelope

Materials used:

• 15cm square white, 250gsm, card blank and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of card cut to 13½cm square
• Two pieces of reed card cut to 14cm square
• Penny Black bough image stamped using Delicata golden glitz ink
• My Favourite Things sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• Stardust stickles used to highlight

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Happy Little Stampers - July Christmas challenge - GOLD
2. The Paper Players - challenge No. 302 - CHRISTMAS IN JULY
3. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge Extra - July challenge - ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
4. Hiding In My Craft Room - challenge No. 257 - CHRISTMAS COLOURS
5. Simply Create Too - challenge No. 112 - CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Happy Tuesday - see you all, as normal, tomorrow!

Easy like Sunday morning .. sounds like a cue for a song! P'raps not!

Morning all

I love making ATC's, I love neon inks and I love making my own backgrounds so ... what's not to love about the following craft project ... IMHO!

My ATC

And a closer view of the background .. it was only when I uploaded this that
I spotted my "deliberate" error ... can YOU see it too?

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in red, glittered gold and white
• Stampers Anonymous circles image stamped using Hero Arts neon orange ink
• Creative Expressions letters stamped using Hero Arts neon green ink
• Kaisercraft mini grid image stamped using Hero Arts neon pink ink
• Stamplorations sentiment and Carabelle image stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink

I'll be entering this ATC for the following challenges:-

1. Pixie's Crafty Workshop - challenge No. 236 - SNIPPETS CHALLENGE
2. Alphabet challenge - 24th June challenge - "I" is for INK IT UP!
3. Southern Girls - 23rd June challenge - Team Trace - ANYTHING GOES
4. Crafty Creations - challenge No 318 - ANYTHING GOES

And over at Simply Less Is More there's a new challenge ...

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• 15cm square white, 250gsm, card blank and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to 13½cm square
• Dark grey card and chocolate brown card (new stash) cut to mat with 1.6mm borders
• HobbyArt sheep, balloon, string and sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black and watering can  and Brilliance rocket red inks
• Alcohol markers to colour
• Stardust stickles to highlight
• Plaid dimensional gloss to add shine and dimension to the balloon

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 283 - THE COLOUR OF YOUR KITCHEN
2. Creative Corner - July 1st challenge - team Jess - CUTE AND CUDDLY
3. Aud Sentiments - challenge No. 158 - FUNNY SENTIMENT
4. Inkspirational - challenge No. 112 - ANYTHING GOES with a twist of RED!

My kitchen? A neutral shade with grey and grey/brown tiles, accents of red with the appliances

 

I'm really rather late with my Simply Less Is More entry - I normally submit on Saturday morning and am usually in the first half dozen too .. not so this week as I was the Newbury Papercraft Show yesterday. Met up with pal, Debbie, we had a fine old time getting the important stuff done first, comfort break and a cuppa!!! We hastened round once to recce the joint and then a second time, to make our purchases. The show was only taken over by the current organisers within the last year and I think this is only their third show. They're doing sterling work but there were only (I think) ten stands so it didn't take a rocket scientist to work out we weren't going to be there the entire day ... Debbie and I thought we'd take in lunch at the Coach and Horses in Thatcham afterwards so we made it a nice day out and a great opportunity to catch up - thanks for making the journey, Debbie. I should point out that I managed to find a couple of things to buy ... I blame Clare and Lauren for the stamps .. they were talking about Daryl the Quirky Turkey from HobbyArt so I made a beeline for their stamps when I saw them, and fell in love with the sheep!

Have a great Weekend

Saturday and the Purple Princess is away from her desk today

Hello everyone,

Hope your weekend is coming along a treat .. we're on the downhill slope from decorating. In fact we've done all we can now, until the carpet fitters turn up on Tuesday ... so we're having a restful but messy weekend, as we've had to empty the bedroom in readiness! 

That said, I am away from my desk today .. I'm meeting a pal at Newbury Racecourse and we are attending the Newbury Papercraft Show - YAY! A little STASH retail therapy and catch up with a pal ... one that INCLUDES lunch! It doesn't get much better, does it? Wish us luck!

I'm leaving hubby at home to admire his handy work and, possibly, cut the grass .. so, not really THAT restful a weekend, eh?

Anyhoo, I'll be late with my LIM entry today as I don't expect to be back in time to submit one today so ... do check out tomorrow's post instead!

I do, however, have a little something to share with you today ....

My card

And a close up of the gorgeous twinkle provided by the glass bead glitter gel

 

The front, back and inside of my card, along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• 15cm square white, 250gsm card blank and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of yellow card cut to 14cm square and the resulting strip of leftover card reserved for the shaped panel
• Two pieces of white card cut to 13½cm square
• Taking the strip of yellow card and cutting it in half I then used the fiskars finger trimmer to cut a freehand curve
• Kitchen Sink Stamps layering "swipes" used to ink stripes using Brilliance jade and Memento rosebud inks
• Stampers Anonymous sentiment set in to a curve on my acrylic block and inked using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• Faber Castell glass bead glitter gel applied through a Memory Box stencil using a metal spatula and using the offcut from my freehand curve as a mask - super twinkly!

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Addicted to Stamps - challenge No. 200 .... 4th Birthday - See photo inspiration .... I went with sunshine colours and stripes and circles from the inspirational design below
2. CAS Colours & Sketches - challenge No. 180 - Sketch and colours below
3. Ruby's Rainbow - challenge No. 132 - IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE
4. Just Add Ink - challenge No. 318 - JUST ADD "S" .. in my case S for STRIPED, S for SHINY and S for SHAPED panel
5. Seize the Birthday - June 30th challenge - BIRDS, BEES & BUTTERFLIES TOPPINGS or ANYTHING (Birthday) GOES .... since you probably can't see any B, B or B you will realise that I went with the ATG option!

 

Over at Creative Corner I spotted that I had won some digi images for the card below, thanks so much peeps.

 

Have a great weekend everyone

It's the time of week when we can all use the FRIDAY FUNNY!

Morning all,

After a funny old week we're on the downhill slope to the weekend ... got plans? I do, I'm off to Newbury to the Papercraft Show tomorrow .. leaving hubby at home almost literally watching paint dry!!!

It's funny but, around this time of year I find I have quite a few wedding anniversaries coming up ... is it possible you are the same?

My card

And a closer view of the gorgeous Delicata ink

 

The front, back and inside of my card along withe the front and back of the envelope

Materials used:

• 15cm square white, 250gsm, card blank and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to 13½cm square + snippet
• One piece of 300gsm gold card, cut to 14cm square + snippet
• One snippet of 300gsm red card, for matting
• Dina Wakely "trio of hearts" stamped using Delicata golden glitz ink and the "love Rocks" sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• The Cats Pyjamas sentiment and flourish (inside the card) stamped using Delicata golden glitz ink

With the gorgeous sheen of the gold ink I didn't think any additional bling was necessary .. though I DID consider adding a few gemstones - any thoughts peeps?

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Craft Rocket Challenges - challenge No. 18 - WEDDINGS AND THINGS
2. Crafty Sentiments - challenge No. 28 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Simon Says Stamp - June 29th challenge - WHATEVER TAKES YOUR FANCY (ATG)
4. Ruby's Rainbow - challenge No. 132 - IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE

Here's an ATC I ran up earlier this week and which uses up a few snippets .... I can't seem to stop myself making ATC's right now, just as well they use up a whole truckload of snippets, and that's a GOOD thing!!!

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in red, navy and white
• JOFY flower image and Chapel Road sentiment stamped using Ranger Archival jet black ink
• JOFY circles image stamped multiple times using Ranger Archival sepia ink
• Alcohol markers to colour (including background)
• Pitt big brush white and Signo Uniball black gel pens used to doodle a border

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:-

1. Shopping Our Stash - challenge No. 258 - HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW
2. Creative knockouts - challenge No. 148 - ALL ABOUT FLOWERS
3. Julia Spiri - challenge No. 21 - ANYTHING GOES .. with a twist - ADD A FLOWER
4. 4 Crafty Chicks - challenge No. 305 - ANYTHING GOES

And now, for the Friday this week my pal, SandraT has come to the rescue ..... ENJOY this slightly risque FF!

Claude and Maude's night out!

They met at the singles club meeting and discovered over time that they enjoyed each other's company.

After several weeks of meeting for coffee, Claude asked Maude out for dinner and, much to his delight, she accepted. They had a lovely evening. They dined at the most romantic restaurant in town.

Despite his age, they ended at his place for an after-dinner drink. Things continued along a natural course and age being no inhibitor, Maude soon joined Claude for a most enjoyable roll in the hay.

As they were basking in the glow of the magic moments they'd shared, each was lost for a time in their own thoughts.....

Claude was thinking: 'If I'd known she was still a virgin, I’d have been gentler.'

Maude was thinking: 'If I'd known he could still do it, I'd have taken my tights off '

Ooo-er missus!!!!

Have a great weekend