Hand painted OOAK shopping bag- I’d rather be on holiday!

Hand painted OOAK shopping bag- I’d rather be on holiday!

cruiseshopping3s
I’ve painted a new long handled tote bag for my Etsy shop. This was inspired by my mum- we sometimes call her Mrs Holiday because she is a big fan of cruises now and when she isn’t on one she is talking about wanting to be on one or how marvellous they are. I would have put I’d rather be cruising on the bag but it might be taken the wrong way 😉

I plan my rough composition on paper first. I started by drawing the outlines with Derwent Inktense Blocks
Inktense blocks. I then applied layers of inktense (blocks for washes of colour and pencilsfor detail) painting on some  Golden Gac 900 Fabric Painting Medium between each layer to set the inktense (it actually turns it to ink).

I think Inktense are becoming my favourite medium as I love the variety of ways you can use them. I also love being able to use them on some differemt surfaces. I love painting bags as shopping bag totes are an essential item and I love being able to have personalised one of a kind bags which take my art outside the 4 walls of houses and exhibitions!

cruiseshoppingbagcu3s

I’m entering this for the

Creative Loops challenge- water

As You Like It Challenge- favourite non-card project and why

Creative Moments- Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination- Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread challenge- Anything Goes

Throught The Craftroom Door- Anything Goes

2 Creative Chicks- Anything Goes

Altered Eclectics- Mixed media/ altered art. Anything goes

Anything But Cute Mixed Media Challenge- Earth Day

Crafts Galore Encore- Anything Goes Challenge

Make My Monday- Watercolour

Not Just Cards- Always Anything Goes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

British biker

British biker

Hi everyone!
It feels a bit weird posting this card having just watched the Lance Armstrong interview with Oprah. I have a nephew who loved the Olympics and is a fan of cycling. This Lili of the Valley digi was perfect for his birthday card and I made a voucher holder to match.

I think the papers are die cut were from Papermania. Lots of layers and Kraft card which I think can help add to the boy feel.
I added background colour to the LOTV die cut by daubing distress inks onto it.
I went for a single paper for the inside.

The sentiment stamp is also LOTV- I do love their circular sentiments.

This is the holder I made for the voucher. I clipped the crown and ribbon (recycled from a gift I received) to the voucher to pull it out like a tag.

And this is the back!

I would like to enter the following challenges

613 Avenue Create – Anything Goes with a twist: Kraft Paper

Little Miss Muffet Challenges –  Winter Birthdays

Moving Along With The Times – Happy Birthday
Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Hi!
First post of the year. Towards the end of last year things were really manic and I didn’t even have time to photograph and post my makes before they were given away! Then I manages to have a crafting accident and had to have a cut in my index finger stitched. This obviously slowed down my crafting for a few weeks but I was very lucky not to have any major or permanent damage. I’m back crafting now and I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone in blogland!

I have a couple of friends going through tough times so I made them pamper pails- a metal bucket filled with some pampering goods and a sewing magazine to read in the bath since they sew. I made these bookmarks and put them in the magazine.

I went for a vintage feel with muted colours in my design (made using Craft Artist) and a bright ribbon to match the colours in the pamper pail.

I would like to enter the following challenges. They’re anything goes since I haven’t got a card today!


 


A pirate gains a brother!

A pirate gains a brother!

Two makes for you tonight. A matching card and treat box to celebrate becoming a big brother! I designed everything based around a couple of photos where the recipient is dressed as a pirate using Craft Artist. I added a pirates hat to the baby and an eye patch to the recipient (as usual faces blurred for privacy)

On of the amazing things with Craft Artist is the way you can create the shadows- it really helps make it look like the boys are in my scene!It also adds dimension but with only 1 layer which helps if you are looking out for postage costs!The edges of the card are inked with distress ink.

I then altered a wooden box to make a pirate treasure chest for some treats. I painted the box with blue pearlescent ink. All the papers were designed on Craft Artist and were decoupaged on using Mod Podge. This is the top of the box.

I added some plastic gold coin trim around the outside.

Inside the top lid.

In the base…

Then full of treausre!!

I would like to enter these for the following challenges

My Craft Spot – Treat Packages
Sweet Stamps – Altered Item
Party Time Tuesdays – Anything but a card
Penny’s Paper-Crafty – Anything but a Card
Craft Room Challenge – Alter it
Simply Create – Always anything goes digitally
Craft My Life– anything but card/layouts
Spending wallet

Spending wallet

In my quest to live more simply I want to focus on cutting down my spending. I find it really difficult to keep a spending diary so I thought that if I made myself a beautiful way of tracking spending I might keep to it!!
This is the way I came up with! The papers I used for the project are First Edition- Hideaway.
I took two double sided 8×8 papers. I joined them by cutting a small piece of 8×8 paper, scoring it in the middle and taping it to the papers.

I then scored half way across each page and about 1/3 from the bottom. I folded the bottom section up to make a pocket and cut a slanted edge to each section.

The outside was made from an 8×8 card scored in half and then a small section of card taped to the end and also scored.

I sponged pearlescent green ink around  the inside of the card. I taped the paged inside.

I made tags using scrap paper. I will use scrap paper to do this every month. I am going to record spending on these tags. I’ll keep a record of no spend days, essentials,
luxuries and money spent on hobbies. I use the no spend days challenge on Money Saving Expert as an incentive not to go near the shops unless I really need to!! I thought by recording essentials versus luxuries it will help me to think about what spending is related to wants and what is related to needs. Ideally I want to minimise wants and put that money towards the mortgage.

When closed I will secure the wallet with a ribbon. I used Soft Green Promarker to colour the ribbon so it would match.

At the end of each week I’ll record the spends in a spreadsheet and at the end of the month I will put the tags together with a ribbon. I’ve made a folder to keep the tags in and will also keep receipts in there.
I took a piece of green card and scored every cm and folded it like an accorian. I then put tape all along it and taped 12 envelopes in to it. (I always have tons of envelopes as I bought lots of card blanks with envelopes and then I make the cards too big to fit the envelopes!!) I alternated yellow and green envelopes.

This is the finished accordian of envelopes.

I scored a piece of green card for the cover and cut papers to stick on to the outside

and to the inside

I then used tape and book binding glue to attach the accordian envelopes to the cover.

I used magnetic tape to hold the cover closed and added a flower embellishment. I wanted to keep it simple as the papers are quite glitzy!

I used spray varnish on both projects to give tham lovely shine and a little added protection.
Hopefully with the lovely wallet and folder I will keep better track of my spending so I can analyse it and see where I can cut costs. It should also help me to think carefully about the things I want versus the things I need when I shop.

Happy memories as we look forward to Summer Holidays

Happy memories as we look forward to Summer Holidays

I’m finally getting round to blogging some of my makes from the last few months. Making cards for several of my classes plud making these gifts for my form took me a lot of time and it was pretty intense but it was really lovely to give them personalised things as they are great pupils and I’ve loved teaching and tutoring them. So these are for their Summer Holidays!

I got hold of a couple of photos of the form (I’ve blurred all the information for privacy reasons!).
I created the background for the photo using Craft Artist. I cut acetate to sit in front of the picture as the frames did not have any glass.
I took some plain wood frames and painted them with black or red pearlescent paint. I used a circles stamp with silver ink and then heat embossed with silver.

I found these cute rulers on sale in January so I glued them to the front of the frames for the lads.

 The red pearlescent ink actually has a pink sheen at a certain angle!

For the frames for girls I made paper flowers using punches and added red buttons.

I would like to enter these for the following challenges

Delicious doodles challenge- Summer Holiday theme
Joanna Sheen Challenge- going round in circles
Paper Pretties- embossing

Spring Candle Holder

Spring Candle Holder

Another make using Spring colours and flowers- this time I tried a candle holder. I have a ton of votives left from our wedding which I can reuse as gifts so I need a few different ways to present them!
I made the paper background for my Wee stamps digi using Craft Artist. The other papers are from First Edition Love Letters.

I coloured the digi with Pro and Flexmarkers with some glossy accents highlights.
I coloured the gems I put on the votive to match.

I would like to enter the following challenges
Can You Digi It – My Secret Garden Inspirational Photo
Celebrate the Occasion – Just Because (Must Use Pink)
Paperminutes – Spring Flowers
The Pink Elephant – Flowers
Karens Doodles – Something Spring
One Stitch At A Time –Use a Digi
GingerloftAnything but a Card
Use It Tuesdays – Anything Goes(stash of glass candle holders and card!!)
Anything Goes Challenge –Anything goes
Bookie door hanger

Bookie door hanger

This matches the card I posted yesterday. I used two saturated canary digis to show the bookhead in and out (at I library I’ve decided!!). I created the background to the digis using Craft Artist.
I sanded the wooden blank edges and coloured them with distress inks and then stuck on Tim Holtz dictionary pages. I then resanded the edges and coloured them with distress ink.

I coloured the digis with Pro and flexmarkers and highlighted with pearlescent ink. I used glossy accents on the eyes and lips.

I used ribbons from clothing and buttons to attach the base card.  I punched two circles of the Tim Holtz paper and attached them together with foam pads with the writing facing inwards. I made the heart paper using Craft Artist.

 This is the other side.

I made the flowers and leaves using punches and then coloured and added gems in the centre.

It took me a long time but I love the end result.
I would like to enter the following challenges

Cardmadfairy’s Digi Days – Die Cuts and/or Punches
Lily Pad – Flower Challenge
4 Crafty ChicksFlowers
Crafty Purple Frog – Let’s get distressed
Craft Us Crazy Anything but a card and/or altered item
Just Keep on Creating – anything goes
Paper Shelter Challenge anything goes/ Easter
Happy Easter- sweet treats

Happy Easter- sweet treats

Happy Easter everyone!
This is an Easter basket- I found it a little difficult making it for a boy so I hope it is manly enough!

I used Lili of the Valley pictures free with a mag. They are so cute! I coloured them with Pro and flexmarkers. I wanted bright Spring colours combined with two images to show the changeable April weather! April showers and April sun.

I would like to enter the following challenges.

Victorine OriginalsApril Showers 
Creative Stamp FriendsEaster Package
Hooked on CraftsEaster
Love to Create – Bunnies, Chickies and Jelly
My Craft SpotEaster
Paper Pretties – “April Showers Bring May Flowers”
Top TipTuesday – Easter & Or Animals
Oldie but a goodie– April showers (card is from stash)
Let your light shine picture

Let your light shine picture

The last in the matching set for the 21st birthday is a picture.
I made the paper using Craft artist. The digi is from Sylvia Zet.

I used Pro and flexmarkers to colour the digi. I highlighted using pearlescent inks. I used glossy accents on the necklace gem, centre of the flower and the lantern glass.

Last picture is at an angle to try and show the pearlescent highlights on the digi and the large flower.

I would like to enter the following challenges

Tuesday Throwdown – Pastels
Creative Mondays – Anything but Card
Totally Stampalicious – Anything but a Card 
Sassy Cheryl’s -Soft Pastels
Crafty Creations – Spring
I Love Promarkers – Spring
Creative Craft Challenges – Anything But A Card