Sunday Stampers - Week 10 - Going For, Going For......Green

Good Morning Stampers!

It is that time of year again! The clocks have just done their changing thing and now we have an hour less in bed....but....Summer is coming!! Yippppeeeeee! Soon it will be warm enough to sit in the garden at 10 o'clock at night, drinking a coffee and chatting with my lovely husband....ah, I am getting all romantic and dewy eyed again!

This weeks Sunday Stamper challenge has been set by Lesley as it was her birthday last Thursday - Happy Birthday hun and thank you for coming up with a new challenge for us all.

The theme this week is Lesley's favourite colour, which is Green. The title of this post, well, all I will say is that I was trying to get you all humming again! Remember the TV quiz called Going For Gold? Well, remember the theme tune and then add Green instead of Gold....I think I had better get on with the crafty stuff now, you probably all think I am bonkers :O))

All you need to do is make sure that whatever you make features the colour green :O))

I have made a card again this week. I seem to be getting a big old pile of cards from all the challenges I have been doing - I will have to start using them soon :O))

Here is my effort:



I used a piece of cream cardstock and folded it to make a square(ish) card. I used paper from the Crate Paper "Kate" range, matted them onto a little bit of gold satin card and then stamped the sentiment which is by Penny Black. I then stamped the Bamboo image onto the card twice, this is another Penny Black stamp. I then stamped the butterfly onto cream card, I used Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Inks to do the butterfly stamping and used Peeled Paint for the Bamboo and the sentiment. Once I had stuck the paper and the butterflies to the card I edged the whole card with Peeled Paint ink.

I hope that you all enjoy this challenge - please don't forget to post on here that you have made yours and where you are showing it - add a link for your Blog or Bucket so we can all pay you a visit for a nosey!

Thanks for taking part....Hels x

I am Going Thru The Arched Window

Morning peeps, actually it is just morning but I think the timer thingy on my Blog is set wrong!!

I have been really busy at work this week but made a couple of Gothic Arches on Monday and have finally got a spare five mins to Blog them!

I am really shattered so I won;t go into great detail about how I made them....suffice to say plenty of inks and stamps have been used!! As well as Grungeboard, Chipboard and Stampbord too :O))


The Bird Soars......


Inks - Distress Inks; Faded Jeans and Broken China
Stamps - Artistic Stamper Bird Collage & Botanical plates
Chipboard - Artistic Stamper








Passionate Heart



Inks - Distress Inks; Fired Brick and Aged Mahogany
Stamp - Crafty Individuals & Stamps Away Alphabet
Grungeboard Elements - The Artistic Stamper


Thanks for looking, I am hoping that I will actually be able to string a few sentences together tomorrow :O))

Hels x

The Lovers Locket

Morning everyone,

What a nasty day it is here, raining, windy and cold.....am counting the days til the sunshine is back :O))

I was lucky enough to be rummaging in a big box full of old jewellery that is owned by my pal Jennie. I stumpled across and rather worn out and shabby looking locket on a chain. I asked Jennie if I could have it as I just knew I wanted to alter it and she kindly said yes :O))

So, without further ado, here it is!!

Closed



Now, the only drawback of altering things is remembering what they looked like originally, and because I am incredibly stooopid, I forgot to take a photo of it "before" so you will just have to use your imaginations .... It started off as being gold plated, and over the years the plating had worn off and it was mainly silver on the front, the chain will give you an idea of how it looked.

I cut out a tiny heart from some uncut Grungeboard and painted it with gold Krylon pen (yes, that old fave again) and then I used a little pair of metal wings that I have in my stash, I popped the wings behind the heart and then smudged a bit of the Krylon onto the front of the locket using my finger. I then stuck the winged heart to the Locket and moved onto the real fun bit!


Inside



I used DooDads - Tim Holtz Collection - to fill the apertures in the locket. The first one is of a man in what looks like an Army Uniform and the other one is of his "sweetheart". I hit on the idea of using mini postage stamp DooDads to signify him writing his letters to her from overseas and her keeping them close to her heart in her Locket. I added the "timeless" and "love" to the piccies and then filled both sides up with Glossy Accents. I then used three little pearls I had pinched off an old clip-on earring and popped those in on the lady's side...in my mind, the three pearls are the stones from her engagement ring, signifying, past, present and future.

Aw, a lurve story - I am an old romantic at heart!

I am really pleased with the way the Locket has transformed and I hope you all like it too!

Thanks for looking

Hels x

Collage Canvas

Hello!

Another project completed...this one didn't take as long as I thought it would either, which is good cos I will no doubt make more as I really enjoyed playing with this one :O))



I saw a piece of artwork on a wall in a shop I visited this weekend. They had used a mirror with a big frame and popped squares around the frame with different media on them.

I took this idea and expanded it slightly. I have some canvases that have been sitting waiting patiently to be altered. I decided to make a collage on the canvas using mountboard for the squares.






I started off by cutting 12 pieces of mountboard into 1 1/2" squares and a piece into a 3" square.

I used different papers to cover six of the squares, namely Tim Holtz collection papers, selecting random images on them but it turned out that a lot of the images featured the Eiffel Tower. This then led onto me using an Eiffel Tower stamp and an Eiffel Tower wax seal on two of the other squares!



For the non papered squares, I covered 3 with Distress inks, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain, and the other three with Old Paper CracklePaint. The centre square was distressed with the same inks too.







The stamping was using all Tim Holtz collection stamps, I made a collage of images on the main square and then selected parts of the other stamps to co-ordinate.

Once all the inks and paints were dry, I sanded the squares and then added embellishments to some of them. I used DooDads, metal embellies and watch faces and findings. I attached all the bits using Glossy Accents as this dries clear.

For three of the squares I stuck Fragment (Tim Holtz) over the top of the papers, again using Glossy Accents and then stuck a larger Fragment to the middle square.



I popped a DooDad picture of the little lad into a bottle cap and then filled with Glossy Accents to set it.

Whilst all this was drying, I Distressed the canvas with Old Paper, Frayed Burlap and Walnut Stain inks. I then used a Gold Acrylic Dabber and a stipple brush and streaked the gold paint across the canvas. I then painted a couple of parts of it with the Old Paper Crackle Paint.

I set all of it aside to dry, I am so impatient normally, so this time I went and made a lasagne to stop myself from rushing it :O))

Lasagne made and hands washed, I nipped back into the craft room and assembled the whole thing together.....and I am really chuffed with the result. It turned out exactly how I planned too!

Thanks for looking and comments gratefully received!

Hels x

Gone All Gothic!!

Afternoon peeps

I have gone all Gothic! All these fab Gothic Arches that I keep seeing on peeps Blogs has made me want to try it for myself :O))

I haven't got a template for an arch, so I made one myself....I am hoping that it is ok and doesn't look daft!



Once I had cut the card to the arch shape, I painted it with Pearlescent powder paint. I then stamped a Column and masked it, then stamped some text randomly onto the background. I used Black StazOn for the stamping as it doesn't react with the painted surface. I then used Adirondack inkpads in Wild Plum and Stonewashed, smudging the colours onto a domino piece of stampbord with some Cut & Dry foam. I then stamped the Arch image onto the stampbord and used a scratching tool to scratch away some of the detail to reveal the white board underneath. I stamped the lady onto plain white card and coloured her in with Wild Plum, Rust and Stonewashed Adirondack ink.

I took two Grungeboard hinges and cut them to fit the arch. I painted them with gold Krylon and added a gold brad to each one and attached them to the arch. I then squidged some silicone glue onto areas of the arch and sprinkled micro accent beads onto the glue. I added a few co-ordinating fibres to the top of the arch and then edged with gold Krylon.



The paints, stamps and fibres are all from The Stamp Connection/Artistic Stamper, which can be found here.
I hope that I have done this properly, I am new to them as I said, so I would really appreciate some comments :O))

Thanks for looking

Hels x

Introducing.....Lenny the Lizard

Today I have passed all boundaries! I have altered a lizard!! It was really funny, my stepson came into the craftroom to ask me what I was doing. I replied " I am painting glue onto a lizard". Bless him, I bet those are words he never thought he would hear!!

I know you probably all think I have lost the plot but actually, it is a little rubbery plastic lizard.

This is what the lizards look like before the make-over:












First I painted him with some Duo gluey stuff that goes tacky once dry. Then I used gilding flakes and covered him with them. I painted a little more glue on and then dabbed Perfect Pearls Aged Patina powder on him. I added a couple of mini gems for eyes and he is reborn!! :O))

And here he is transformed!!


Isn't he cute!!!

Thanks for looking

Hels x

You Make My Day Award

Hi again

How fab!! Roni has sent me a You Make My Day award...that is so kind of her and it really has made my day today :O)) Thanks ever so much hun xx

Take a few mins to go and check out her Blog.....she is so creative and has some wonderful creations on there. She is a real inspiration to me.

Here is my award:









And I am passing this on to a few peeps who have made my day today too:

Andrea
Linda
Lesley
Angie
Bee
Roni
Dan
Jennie
Ann
Shaz
Tina

My Time To Craft Challenge - Quotes & Sayings

Hello Peeps,

Managed to sit and make a card this afternoon for the My Time To Craft Challenge. The theme this week is Quotes and Sayings. I have so many lovely sayings stamps that I just knew that I had to join in! Plus the fact, I went stash shopping yesterday and bought some heavenly flowers and I had to use one of them :O))

I used The Paper Co papers, black and white, very pretty and very classy. I teamed them up with black and pink cardstock and then stamped the sentiment, a Penny Black stamp (nowt new there then!). The gorgeous flower is by Petaloo's and isn't it just fab? :O))







Thanks for setting the challenge ladies, have loved making this card so much, I made another one very similar too!!

And thanks for looking!

Hels x

The Sunday Stampers - Week 9 - Party, Party, Party....In Your Hat!!

Good Morning and a very Happy Easter to you all!

Today is a very special day for another reason though. It is my dear friend Linda's birthday today. She has asked me to tell you all that she is 22 years old today, those of you who know her know that she is actually 23 this year ;o))

In honour of Linda's birthday, I have asked her to set the theme for this week...so here it is!

Party Hats

All you need to do this week is make a card, tag, ATC etc and incorporate a Party Hat on it.

For my entry, I decided to use my MonaLisa stamp from the Tim Holtz Collection. This is one of the very first stamps I ever bought, and the reason? Because Linda had this stamp and I just had to copy her :O))

I used Butterscotch, Lettuce and Cranberry Adirondack ink pads for the background, smudging the colours onto the card using wet babywipes. I then spritzed the whole lot with Gold Glimmer Mists and then dried with my heat gun. I stamped Mona in Black VersaFine, I so need a new pad cos mine is nearly dry! I then tore the edge of the image off, matted onto gold satin card, onto cranberry card and then onto the main card. Next I stamped the greeting, Whispers are the manufacturers of this stamp and matted the greeting as with the main image.



For the Party Hat, I used a piece of the Gossip page from last weeks Metro - a rather sweet story about George Clooney I might add - and made a triangle of paper. I then made a folded line of paper for the bottom of the hat and glued together. Finally, no self respecting Party Hat would be complete without a frilly pom pom on the top so I made a ruffle of paper and popped this on to it.

Now, I know it is strange to have a Party Hat made of newspaper but....whenever I think of Party Hats, I always think of The Good Life programme from way back in the 70's, when Tom and Barbara made their own crackers for Christmas and the look on Margo's face when she had to wear a newspaper hat!! Sorry to waffle on there!!

So, all it needs for me to say now is Happy Birthday Linda and have fun everyone....

*Don't forget to pop a comment on here once you have made your artwork, add your Blog or Bucket link too!*

Hels x

Pink Skulls

Evening!

I am feeling a little better thankfully. I have had a lovely lazy day today and have another birthday card to Blog. As before, this is for a friend, so I won't say who it is for :O))

Now, I know she is into Tim Holtz and likes skulls...so this was a really easy choice to make!

I started by taking some lovley pale pink paper and stamping the new Tim Holtz ATC collage stamp with the Skull on it, using black Versafine ink. I used a VersaFine pen and gold embossing powder to edge the image, then matted it onto black cardstock and then matted this onto more pink paper that I had edged the same way. I then attached this to a larger piece of black cardstock, using the VersaFine and gold embossing powder to edge this too.


Next I took a Grungeboard Skull and coloured it pink using Worn Lipstick Distress ink and rubbed a damp babywipe over the skull to blend the colour in. Again, using the VersaFine pen, I gold embossed the skull in places. I used a couple of buttons for eyes, which I coloured using the good old Krylon pen, how I would craft without one of these I really don't know!! I added a crown, which I also changed from silver to gold with the Krylon, as a final touch.


I do hope she likes the card, we will have to wait and see :O))

Thanks for looking, would love your comments too.

Hels x

Boo Hoo

:O((

Hello everyone,

I am so sorry that I have not been about to make comments about all the fab creations you have been making for the Sunday Stampers....have had a bad week as I have been feeling dog rough and am still feeling ill now. Not sure exactly what the problem is - I have just changed meds so have a feeling I am a bit "cold turkey" with the lack of the old ones. So, another early night for me and hopefully I will be better tomorrow. I have a couple of things to Blog but am really not up to doing all the typing tonight, so will add tomorrow hopefully

Hels x

Inky and Papery Too!!

Evening all!

I have made a card and ATC for a friends birthday. I won't say who it is cos there are several peeps celebrating their birthday's this month :O))

I decided to use some lovely paper I have by Basic Grey from their Sublime range. It is one of those collections that has sat in my craft room, being stroked occasionally and now it has made its debut!

I have a couple of the new Tim Holtz elements ATC sized stamps - I know, I know, I am a sucker for anything that bloke designs :O))



I used the stamp along with Versafine Black ink and stamped onto some of the plain paper. I then used the full size stamps that co-ordinate with the new one and stamped these onto different paper from the range, again using the Versafine. Once I had matted the small image onto black card, I stuck them together and added glossy accents to the birds. How awful though peeps, I haven't got the large stamp of the birds - another thing on my wishlist :O))

I made the ATC in the same way using the little stamp and Glossy Accents as before.

Thanks for looking :O))

Hels x

The Sunday Stampers - Week 8 - I'm A Laydeeee

Good morning everyone,

Hope you are having a good weekend. It is that time of the week again....already! I have neglected my crafting this week, firstly I have been working hard but the main cause is that my Mojo has left home, didn't leave me a note or anything! I got into my craft room yesterday afternoon and found it had left me :O(( *sympathy gratefully accepted*

So, please bear this in mind when you see the effort for this weeks challenge. I had such grand designs for this week and ended up with this! I like the colours I have used, that is one thing I suppose :O))

Blimey, I am so busy rambling on, I have forgotten to tell you all that the theme this week is
I'm A Laydeeee. All you need for this week is to make something using a stamp that has a woman, laydee, female image.

This is my effort...I will be trying to make something else, I said that last week and never got around to it though!



I started off with some white card, used Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick and then edged with Aged Mahogony Distress Inks. I blended them together using Cut & Dry foam and then spritzed with water.

The stamps are new Collage elements from The Stamp Connection/Artistic Stamper

I stamped the lady and then the flower (another stamp from The Artistic Stamper) and then masked them off. I stamped the text over the top using more Aged Mahogony ink and then added the little borders using the same ink.

Matting this onto black cardstock and then adding Glossy Accents to the centre of the flowers finished the card for me.

Have fun, looking forward to seeing your designs, and please remember to leave me a comment on here about the place you are showing your works of art too!

Hugs Hels x

PS! I have made another card this morning, found a little bit of my Mojo lurking under a pile of stamps in the craft room :O))



I used Alcohol Inks in Butterscotch, Wild Plum and Stonewashed, smudging them onto glossy white cardstock. I then stamped the lady dragonfly image by PaperArtsy using black VersaFine ink. I used a Penny Black dragonfly stamp from the Brush Collection on the background cardstock which I had also inked the same way. I matted the images onto black card and then added a little message, another Penny Black stamp, stuck this with 3d foam and added the little dragonfly embellie on a jump ring.

Pink AND Grungy?

Hi peeps,

I haven't had chance to get online to do some Blogging this week and seem to have missed loads of challenges but I did manage to make one for the My Time To Craft challenge this week, which this week is Think Pink. I happen to love the colour pink, not that many peeps would figure that out!! Not!! :O))

I have just taken delivery of some rather delish stamps from the new Tim Holtz Collection, so I just had to use one on this card :O)) I know that traditionally you would not expect to see pink alongside grungey things but I thought I would give it a try and see what it looked like!



I started off by colouring some white card with a pink Chalk Ink Pad by ColorBox. I edged this card with Wild Plum Adirondack ink and then stamped the collage image using Sepia VersaFine. I stamped a message which is by Penny Black, in the same way.

I coloured the Grungeboard skull and hearts and then edged with the Sepia ink. I cut a piece of pale pink cardstock and matted this onto the card. I added the stamped images, which I matted with brown paper behind to add a little contrast.

Thanks for this weeks Challenge - have loved making my card!

Hels x

The Sunday Stampers - Week 7 - Turning Japanese, I Really Think So.....

Morning peeps,

Are you all humming that song by The Vapours? I have been humming it all morning whilst I was making the new Challenge :O))

This week the theme is Oriental. Same rules as usual, inky, stamping and whatever media you would like to use; cards, ATCs, Tags, whatever you want to make :O))

I have made a tag for this weeks Challenge;



I am in a colourful mood today so I decided to use Worn Lipstick and Dusty Concord Distress Re-Inkers to make a nice splotchy background for my tag. I started by dotting a few drops of the inks onto a non stick craft sheet. I then used Gold Glimmer Mists to mix the colours together. I dabbed the tag onto the inkyness and then dried with a heagun. I stamped the Puccini's Muse image (Imperial Cargo) which is one of my fave stamps, using Black VersaFine ink. I made a mask of her and then stamped a background Oriental text (Artistic Stamper) using Imperial Purple VersaFine. I used some Dusty Concord CracklePaint on the top section of the tag, speeding up the crackling with a heat gun - I think my paint has gone off though, it has been open for a few months and I didn't get many crackles. Hmmm, now I am left with a naff looking tag, so I hit on the idea of using gold Embossing Powder on the edges of the tag to cover some of the painted bit. Once I had finished embossing, I then took some more card and stamped the sentiment (Penny Black) and edged this with gold embossing too.





I added a few ribbons and a coin charm to the top of the tag but my Muse image was kind of lost as the tag had got a bit "busy". Hmmmm, again! I decided to dab Goss Boss clear ink over the image and then clear emboss it, this made the image stand out a bit more which made me a little happier. I am still not 100% with the tag, I no doubt will make something else for the Challenge this week :O))



Have fun everyone and please remember to link your Blog to here and leave a post so we can see all your wonderful creations.

Hels xx

He's a Cool Dude!

Hi peeps

I haven't got anything crafty to Blog this evening...cos I made a card this afternoon and it is really really rubbish so it is now in the bin!!

So, I thought I would add a photo of my fur baby Alfie. He is a really clever cat. We have trained him to fetch, to roll over on demand and to leap about like a mad thing chasing his bedtime treats :O))

Alfie also has a rather bad habit. He is addicted to my Sticky Dots! He will do everything he can to creep into my craftroom and pinch them. He then stashes them away - goodness knows where though...cos I can't find them anywhere! Alfie also likes rubberstamps and is often found walking about with them in his mouth! Nawty boy! He is also rather partial to stealing my jewellry....I once found my watch outside under a bush - obviously he had stashed it there for "later" :O))



Alfie also keeps me company when I am Blogging. He sits behind the computer and peers over the screen...trying to put me off I reckon!

All in all, he is a wonderful pet, he is so loving and is really in tune with my emotions, knowing exactly when to sit on my knee and exactly when to make me smile.

Here is he, reclining in his usual pose - I am sure he copies his Daddy, all he needs is the remote and a bottle of beer :O))

Arty Girlz Challenge - Spring

Hi again

I have managed to actually Blog my entry this week for the Arty Girlz Challenge...I made last weeks but never got around to Blogging it :O))

I made a card using some lovely K & Co papers from the Neopolitan Citrus range. I layered the papers on the card, added a couple of sentiments and edged everything with Olive Chalk Ink from ColorBox.

I loved having an excuse to play with this paper, I don't very often use it so thanks to the Arty Girlz!

Thanks for looking

Hels xx

My Time To Craft Challenge - Flowers

Hi peeps

I took some time out to get up to date with a few Challenges.....well, the My Time to Craft Challenge this week is right up my street cos it is themed "Flowers". How brilliant!! An excuse to use lots of Prima's :O))

I was so happy about the theme, I got a little carried away and ended up making three cards LOL

Card 1



For this card, I used some Fancy Pants paper - can't remember the name of it though as I had already cut off the strip at the bottom! I co-ordinated the paper with Bazzill cardstock and edged the papers and card with Burnt Sienna Chalk Ink by ColorBox. I then stamped the Happy Birthday using the same ink and matted onto matching card and paper. I stuck the heavenly little Prima's to the card using silicone glue.




Card 2





More Fancy Pants papers and Bazzill Bling for this card. The sentiment is a Penny Black stamp - I love those words - which I stamped with Magenta VersaCube ink. I edged the paper and card with this same ink too. I added more Prima's using silicone glue.








Card 3




And finally, even more Fancy Pants papers...can you see a theme here? :O)) Same as before, I egded the papers and card, stamped a sentiment and then added Prima's to it.








Thanks to the ladies on MTTC Challenge for this theme - I have had lots of fun!

And thanks for looking

Hels x

And Finally.....Another Tag!! :O))

Hello again,

And here is my final tag for the swap :O))

Same technique as before but for this one, I stamped the flower (by Stamp Connection/Artistic Stamper) straight onto white card using clear embossing ink and powder. Once the images had cooled, I used Weathered Wood, Broken China and Faded Jeans Distress inks, smudging the colours together using Cut & Dry foam.

FRONT


I used a water spritzer to get the splotchy effect and then out came the iron again! Using paper towels as before, I ironed over the images and the embossing powder re-melted and soaked into the paper. All that was left for me to do was add a little birdie stamp, a message (both Tim Holtz Collection) and a couple of dragonfly brads. I distressed the edges with a paper distresser and then touched up with gold Krylon (there's a surprise I hear you all cry!!!)





BACK
I have really enjoyed using this technique...I have made a more indepth post on my other Blog if anyone hasn't used this before and would like to have a look. You will find it here

Thanks for looking :O))

Hels x

Another Flowery Tag :O))

Hello,

Here is the second tag for the Tag Swap. This one is made more or less the same way as the first one. I started by dotting Shabby Shutters, Old Paper and Peeled Paint Distress Inks onto a craft sheet, then spritzed the inks with water. I dabbed the tag directly into the ink and then dried with the heatgun.

FRONT


I then inked up a heavenly sunflower stamp I have, think it is PSX, with clear ink, clear embossed and then to pick up the colours of the petal, I used Cut & Dry to smudge Fired Brick Distress ink over the flower head. I then used Peeled Paint ink, smudging about the bottom of the tag and finally, dabbed a tiny bit of Walnut Stain around the edges.






BACK



Then out came the iron again, I used paper towels to absorb the re-heated powder and hey presto! Another Batik effect tag.

I added a little sentiment to some inked up card, attached with 3D foam and added a couple of dragonfly brads to the sentiment mat. The stamp I used for this is one of Tim's Collection :O))

Finally, I used that Gold Krylon (for a change) and edged the tag with it, just swiping randomly around the edges.

Thanks for looking!

Hels x

Flowery Tag - #1

Hi peeps

The Tag swap theme this month is "Flowers".

For this tag I first cut it to 3" x 6" from plain white cardstock. Next, I dabbed some Distress Re-Inkers onto my craft sheet - using Tattered Rose and Worn Lipstick. I filled up a mini mister with water and added pink Perfect Pearls to it, then spritzed the inks to make them more swirly.

I then dabbed both sides of the tag into the inkyness and then dried with a heat gun. I used Goss Boss to clear stamp a flower image and the embossed with clear embossing powder. I then used Cut & Dry foam to apply Fired Brick and Walnut Stain Distress Inks to the rest of the tag.




I heated up my iron and covered the tag with paper towel. Once the iron was hot, I struck :O)) I ironed the embossed image, this melts the embossing powder and you get a lovely "Batik" effect. I finished off the tag by adding a little sentiment (Tim Holtz collection), a couple of wing images and a few dragonfly brads.

Thanks for looking!

Hels x

Tagged!! Eeeeek!!!! :O))

I have been tagged! I did actually wonder why I hadn't felt this happen as I am usually so responsive to pain....obviously this type of tagging has nothing to do with having something clipped through my ear..you know, like what happens to moocows? :O))

Linda has tagged me and I have to answer some questions - I will do my best to answer as honestly as possible..really I will....ok, I may just slightly bend the truth...but were with friends right? So no one will mind!!

Question 1 - What were you doing ten years ago?

Yikes, I have to think about this as it is a very long time ago!! I was single, waiting for the man of my dreams to arrive to whisk me off into the sunset. Lucky for me, my patient wait on that topshelf was nearly over for just a few months later, I met, fell head over heals, completely besottedly in love with my wonderful husband Grim. Work wise, I was in a boring dead end job, dreaming the days away waiting for my dream job to come along and transport me into the sunset...and guess what? Only a few months later, my dream job was awarded to me....a job which changed my life forever and gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning...cos along with the job came the man of my dreams :O)) I was counting calories, I was pretending that I was still young cos I was clubbing and going off on holiday at the drop of a hat and I also passed my driving test too! First time aswell!! And I didn't even have to bribe the Examiner :O))

Question 2 - What were you doing a year ago?

This is an easy one cos I can just look in my diary for last year :O)) I had just met the second man of my dreams...and I know that my Grim will fall about laughing when he reads this!! I had been fortunate enough to watch Tim Holtz doing a demo and then have a chat with him, show him something I had altered, which he actually autographed for me too! And best of all, I got a lovely photo with him. Now, you all know that my friend Linda actually wins the "who loves Tim the most award" but she sometimes does have a tendancy to exagerate - and even goes to extraordinary lengths to make sure that she gets hold of cameras to bodge other peeps photos ...I know you are all shocked aren't you? On a more serious note, I was just starting treatment for a really nasty back injury I sustained in a car crash a year before. I had just had an MRI and it showed up a dodgy bit of my spine. Enough of that though...that is the boring bit.

Question 3 - Name your 5 favourite snacks.

Oh, another easy one!! And in no particular order: Grapes, Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Cherries. *if you believe that, you will believe anything* Actually, the truth is: Minstrels - perfect for eating whilst crafting cos the crispy shell stops fingers getting mucky, KP Salted Peanuts, Walkers Crisps, Hot baked bread rolls chock full of crispy bacon, Toasted cheese and onion sandwiches with lots of salad cream and finally, lollipops...not caring the make or flavour, I just love lollipops!!

Question 4 - Name 5 things you would do if you were a millionaire.

Only five things? First of all, I would share some of my millions with two charities that are close to my heart. Secondly, I would buy a Porsche 911, have it custom painted in black sparkly paint. Then I would buy Grim the car of his dreams :O)) I would buy a huge house in the country and have a wing of it dedicated to crafting and have my friends over for the weekends and have every gadget, rubber stamp and new product so we could play and get messy and inky! I would have a holiday home on a Caribbean island with its own private beach and I would let my friends use it FOC. Oh, and I would employ someone to do my housework so I could dedicate more time to crafting!! I think that is 6 but hey, I am a millionaire so it doesn't matter :O))

Question 5 - Name 5 things you like doing.

I like to craft, getting inky and messy and making nice things. I like to spend me and you time with my husband, I like to go shopping for stash with my friends and then go for a lunch of garlic bread...garlic? and bread? :O)) I like to talk....a lot!! And I like to think that one day, hopefully not too far away in the future, I will win the lottery so I can make all the answers in Q4 come true!!

Question 6 - Name 5 things you will never wear again.

Rah rah skirts, Shorts (women over a certain age should not wear shorts, unless they have a bum like a peach and no cellulite, neither of which am I lucky enough to sport) Platform shoes, yes, I did them in the 70's and in the 90's, I think next time they come into fashion I will be too old :O)) A bridesmaid dress, oh God, I think of the horrors of my 20's, wearing a fru fru dress that made me look like a fairy elephant!! And finally, Blue eyeshadow, never, ever, ever again...brown eyes just don't suit blue eyeshadow.

Question 7 - Name your 5 favourite things.

Grim, AlfieCat my fur baby, pictured, who is such a cool dude, my friends, my crafting and driving HSTs, which is what I am doing in this piccie!


Now, I have to tag 5 peeps...here are the names :O))

Tina
Ann
Bee
Andrea
Shaz

Thanks to Linda for tagging me....hope you enjoyed reading this stuff and I will be popping over to see those I have tagged to make sure they are playing :O))

Hels x

Rainbow Lady's Challenge - Feathers

Hi again

I have made a card for Rainbow Lady's Challenge this week, which is Feathers.

I used a design similar to one I have previously made for The Artistic Stamper. I used a plain square cream card and stamped the "lady" onto more cream card using Black StaZon ink. I matted this onto red card and then black card to add a little more definition. I then stamped the word "Desire" repeatedly on more cream cardstock, cut a strip of it and layered this onto red and black card. I added a little red feather behind the strip to hide the lady's boobies :O))


Had a lot of fun with this challenge so thank you to Cynthia. I will be looking out for the next challenge too!

Thanks for looking

Hels xx

My Paper World Sketch #5

Me again,

I have been playing and made a card using the fab sketch on My Paper World.

Here is the Sketch


I used the DCVW Once Upon a Time stack....I love this paper and really do have to steel myself to cut it!! However, I am really pleased with the result. I used three different sheets of co-ordinating paper and also used my QuicKutz Revolution to make the little flower. I have loads of flowers in my stash but non of them really matched up with the colours I had used. Also, I have the flowers that come with the Stack but they are a little large...so that gives me an excuse to make another card, but bigger next time :O))



Once I had stuck the papers and then the flower to the card, I used gold Stickles to edge the papers and fancy up the flower too.

Thanks for the fab sketch, I really enjoyed playing!

Hels x

My Time to Craft Challenge - Wings

Hi peeps

I know, I know, I am late again but.....I did actually post this on Saturday but for some daft reason (probably cos I am thick) it posted after the Sunday Stamper post.....so here it is again!

The lovely ladies on My Time To Craft have set a challenge called Things With Wings.

Here is my card:



I used some of the lovely butterfly stamps that I have in my collection; Penny Black & PSX being the manufacturers. Using Worn Lipstick and Black Distress Inkpads, I created the butterflies fluttering background by masking them off after stamping so they are all layered on top of each other. I stamped three on more card and cut them out, layered the main image on black card and then stuck the three on using silicone glue. I added black stickles to their bodies and edged the mat with this too.

Thank you to My Time To Craft for letting me play with my faves stamps :O))

Hels xx

You Make My Day......

Hi peeps

I have been given a lovely "You make my day" award by Paula How chuffed am I? What a lovley surprise to log on and see this!! So thank you Paula, you have made my day too! :O)) The rules of the award are simple, pass it on to ten people who have made your day in Blogland! Pop a message by email or on their blog and then they pass on the award. If you receive the award back again it means that you are a very nice person and you have made their day too :O))


I have some lovely peeps that I would like to pass on this award to. They can be found at:

Paula
Andrea
Linda
Lesley
Dan
Tina
Bee
Shaz
Shazza
Jacqueline
Ann
Angie
Anna

Now, you can all see that I am rubbish at maths and have made this award to 13 peeps, I would have made it a lot more but I didn't want to cheat too much :O))

Hugs xx

The Sunday Stampers - Week 6 Man Oh Man!!

Good morning everyone!

Firstly, Happy Mother's Day to all you Mum's out there, be your babies human or furry ones like my AlfieCat :O))

Week 6 already....and high time for another stamping challenge.

This week the theme for the challenge is...... Man/Men

Make a card, ATC, Fat Page, Moo, Skinny, tag...in fact, just whatever you wish....but you must use an image of a man or of men. I will just add that whilst they are really cute, please don't use any of the Magnolia or Sugar Nellies stamps for this challenge as they have their own challenges that are fab to join in with :O))

I have made two cards for this one...purely because I bought a stamp over a year ago and have only used it once, partly because I wasn't sure what to do with it but also because it is a little, er, how can I put it....er...... graphic!!!! ;oO

This is the first card....




As you can see, this image is the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo DaVinci. It is a stamp from Stampers Anon and I love the fact that it is so unusual. I was RAK'd some heaven papers from Claire and in the pile of papers was the sheet that I have used here. It is fab because it shows different sketches of the Vitruvian Man and gave me a good excuse to get him out!! I know that he has a few little bits on show....but I guess if it was good enough for Leonardo, it is good enough for us ;O)) The sentiment is from a pack of stamps I bought years ago and I cannot remember who the maker is though.



The second card...

Another chap on this card. The stamps are from the Artistic Stamper, as is the Grungeboard and the little anchor embellishment. I stamped the image using Sepia Versafine and then matted onto some gold and brown card. I stamped the ruler on the left hand side and then added the Grunge hinges, fastening them with little crosshead brads, also from the Artistic Stamper. The anchor was in a Jamboree bag and was silver, so ...no prizes for guessing what I did to make it gold...the old Krylon does come in very handy for altering things like this!!

I hope that you all enjoy this challenge...and remember, if you haven't got any stamps that are "men" then why not use a lady one and add a 'tache LOL

Hels x

Papertake - Blue & Green Should Never Be Seen

Hello again,

Another card made for the Papertake Challenge this week which is Blue & Green.

I had loads of fun with this one! :O)) My friend Kerry has sent me some webbing stuff, that when heated, bubbles up and then goes all splotchy...yes, I know, I am brilliant at describing things and always use those techernical terms....:O))

So, I cut a piece of this webbing stuff and popped it over a card. I heated it up with my heat gun and to my amazement it started to bubble and looked all splotchy! Once it was completely heated, I let it cool down and then dabbed Green and Blue Perfect Pearls over it. I then re-heated it to set the pigments and then got to work on the rest of the card.



I used a piece of paper from the Addison by K&Co range. I matted this onto cream and then green cardstock. I added a little word sticker from the same range, matting this too. I then painted a Maya Road chipboard flower using Lettuce, Pool and Juniper Dabbers, then I popped some more of the webby splotchy stuff over the top of it and heated it up as before. Again, once cooled I dabbed Perfect Pearls onto it and then edged with gold Krylon (for a change!!) I added a little gold button that I had tied ribbon thru. I love the look of the splotchy webbing, so look out for it again, I have a feeling it will be featuring regularly!!

Thanks for looking!!

Hels xx

Daring Card Makers - Take II

Evening all!

I have spent a lovely morning fiddling about with inks, papers and stamps...and I have managed to catch up on all the Challenges I have missed this week :O))

The first challenge I tackled was the Recipe from DCM

Ingredients
Two buttons
Ribbon
Spoonful of Flowers






I have some lovely AMM papers that I have been saving for over a year - and I thought it is about time I cut them up :O)) *makes way for new stash too!*

I matted the paisley patterned papers onto cream cardstock and then pale green Bazzill. I tied a dusky pink ribbon around this mat and tied it in a knot. I picked out a lovley Penny Black sentiment and stamped in Black StaZon and then matted it the same as the other bit. I added two ickle pink buttons and then used some of those gorgeous Prima's, adding little copper brads to the centre of the flowers, arranging them around the message.



The next Challenge is called I Am Woman


The remit of this extra challenge is to make sure you use an image of a woman - so I used up this lovley paper that my friend Claire had RAK'd to me a couple of weeks ago. Not sure where it is from though...all I do know is that it is lovley to work with and the images are really special!



I made a tri-fold card from cream cardstock and then stuck the lacey paper on the front and inside. I then made mats using the lady image and added a sentiment image (Dawn Houser). I smudged a little Walnut Stain onto the mats to make them blend in a bit better. I then made some more mats for the "Dream" stamp (Catslife Press) and then used the Tim Holtz "dream" stamp in the middle.

I had fun making these cards, both completely different from each other which was nice to make something unusual for me!

Thanks to the lovley peeps at Daring Card Makers for the fab challenges!

Hels xx