Dad - update

Dad  took a turn for the worse last weekend, and developed acute pneumonia - this was on top of the MRSA he had contracted, and the fact that he had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and his kidneys were failing.  We were told it was unlikely that he woud reach his 92nd birthday, although we still kept our hopes up.  Sadly Dad passed away on the morning of his birthday, September 6.

Daisy is still in the hospice and holding her own, and the last few days have been very good for her.

I will be back soon.

Hugs
Valxx

Sentimental Sundays

Hi everybody

Hope you are having a great weekend - it almost fels like an Indian Summer .

At  Sentimental Sundays  this week we are asking for a card  that expresses Sympathy or Thinking of You.  Always very difficult subjects to tackle.

I have used a Stempelglede image from the Vintage Garden plate.  It is stamped with Stazon and colour with pencils.  I have brushed DI around the edges.  The sentiment is SU, and the papers are Memory Box Minuet.  Flowers and ribbon from stash.

I am entering this for the following challenges:

Fussy and Fancy Friday - I followed the sketch
All Sorts - Green and Blue
Creations by Gilli - Anything that flies
Sweet Stampin - Anything but Birthday
Alphabet Challenge - P for pretty pastels
Fun with shapes and more - Anything Goes
Inspire Me Fridays - Always anything goes
Jellypark Challenge - Get punchy or die cuts
Charisma Cardz - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Use at leasst one punch

I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

Hugs,

Handmade flowers

A very short post from me today.  At  Moving Along with the Times,  and we want to see handmade flowers.

This week we are sponsored by the fabulous Lili of the Valley,  and the prize is a gift voucher

For my card I have used one of the new Christmas images - Christmas Dance -  from LOTV that I bought a few weeks ago, and this is the first inking.  There are some really love images, and more to come soon.

I have used some new Prima paper for this, and I have to confess I think the whole thing is far too busy and I should have gone for a much less complicated sketch.    It isn't helped by the fact that I photographed this after dark, and the creams in the background paper are now pinky colour!  I have coloured with copics, and added glamour dust to the fur around the jacket.

I am entering this for the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - I followed the sketch
PartyTime Tuesday - Anything goes
Creative Card Crew - Anything goes
Heart Songs - Favourite colour combo or anything goes
Incy Wincy - Diamonds and Pearls - I have used some pearls
Make It Monday - Always Anything goes
Stamps R Us - Anything goes
The Crazy Challenge - New - I have used a new stamp and papers
Woodware USA - 3-2-1 Challenge - 3 papers, 2 types of embellishment , 1 image



Thank you everybody for sticking with me during my long absences.  My step-mother is still very, very  poorly and is in the hospice attached to the hospital.  Unfortunately my father had a fall and has broken his hip, which because of his age and the fact that he has a chest infection and has contracted MRSA, he cannot be operated on, so  has a long haul with enforced bed rest and his leg in traction.  As you can imagine, this has taken quite a toll on all the family, and we are just taking things day by day.


I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

Hugs,

Here come the Girls

A very quick post from me today.  At  My Time to Craft,  the theme is Here Comes the Girls.  So I have used one very classy lady on mine!

This card is a true mxture of stamps.  The colouring on all the pieces is done with a brush and a variety of inks from Big and Juicy pads.  The two background pieces are done with a lace stamp from the Artistic Stamper.  One piece has been stamped in black on to the coloured card.  The other piece has been heat embossed, and had the colour brushed over it.  The main image is from the Great Gatsby stamp place by Artistic Outpost, and the sentiment is from an Art Journey plate.

The border was punched witha  Martha Stewart punch.  The flower, lace and pearls are all from stash.

I am entering this for the following challenges:

Heart Song Inspirations - Shabby Chic or Pearls
Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
Oh La La - No backing paper
Paper Play Time - Anything Goes
Stamps R Us - Anything Goes
Challenge Up Your Life - No patterned paper
Designed 2 Delight - Anything Goes
Ellephantastic - Add Some Layers
Sketch Saturday - I followed the sketch
Annabelle - Say it with Distressing
Inspire me Fridays - Always Anything Goes
Crafty Ann's - Scallops or Fancy Borders
Fussy and Fancy - Use three or more of your favourite embellishment (pearls)
Simply Create - Time to Distress


I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

 Hugs,

A wonderful melty day ...........

Woo hoo!  I had some time to myself on Wednesday, having booked a class with Hels Sheridan at the Stamp Attic in Wantage.  It was a fabulous day, and I learnt all things melt potty!  Was I wowed?  Yes - most definitely, so guess what is going to be my next purchase!  We made a sampler, and this is my version.

The canvas is panged with Kaisercraft Clamshell, and then washed over with sand paint.  The edges are done with a Dabber Paint in Cranberry, and although not seen, the edges are done with Black paint dabber.  The background stamping is a Tim Holtz script.

Some detail from the various elements:

Stained glass effect flower - Wire was twisted into a flower shape, and then dipped in the very top of the melt to gather up a very thing layer - very difficult and several attempts were required

 Faux porcelain flowers - the first flower is cut from Tim Holtz Crafty Attic paper, and dipped, the second flower is layers of paper flowers with a paper rose also dipped into the liquid

Owl made from Mould - Agate effect into a memory frame - Stamping into the liquid on a craft sheet and rubbed over with perfect pearls

 

 Image transfer - shrink plastic - faux soldering

 I am entering this into the following challenges:

Fashionable stamping - Handmade flowers
All Sorts - You've been framed - two of my elements have frames
Challenge up your life - no patterned paper
Craft your passion - Anything but a card
Creative Card Crew - Handmade flowers
Craft us Crazy - Anything Goes
Designed 2 Delight - Anything goes
Paper Playtime - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting  Journey - Anything Goes
Creative C raft Challenges2 - Anything but a card
Dream Valley - Distressing
Pollycraft - Distressing
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Shelly's Images - Anything Goes
Stamp Insanity - Anything goes


On a different front, Dad came home on Friday from respite care in the nursing home, and the brilliant people at social services have put in place a package that allows him to stay at home, being cared for and monitored to see how thing go.  Unfortunately my step-mother is still extremely ill, and we are hoping and praying that she makes a gradual recovery, and is able to join Dad at home again.  A worrying time for all of us.


I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

Hugs,

Let's go flashback!

Hi everybody

We are having a flashback week at  Moving Along With The Times,  and so we want you to post an old project that you are proud of .. could be one of your first using a particular technique /a project you won a challenge with/ or just a project you really liked .  Please create a new post ( no back linking) to show us your project and tell us why it is special.

I have chosen a piece of multi-media, which made me realise that I loved doing stuff other than cards, and wanted to learn more about this type of 'art'.   So gradually I have been expanding what I do, and I'm loving it.

This piece is a canvas that has been painted - I think probably Kaiser or Eco paint, and then overstamped with a swirl.    The four squares are Ten Seconds Studio metal, and the bird cage is the Tim Holtz die.  I think - but cannot be sure, that the copper  leaves and white flowers are Wendy Vecchi stamps, stamped on to metal and then cut out.  The tiny flowers are all sequins covered in Inka Gold gloop with tiny gems added to the middle.


I hope you enjoyed looking at my Flashback, I hope you will join in with us this week as we have a fab sponsor

 Stampin With Brenda

The prize will be THREE FREE months of The How to WOW Paper Crafting Techniques Club.

 Information can be found here   /http://the-how-to-wow.stampingwithbrenda.com/

Please pop over to the main challenge blog and take a look at the fabulous work of my DT buddies this week - there is some gorgeous work to see

I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

Hugs,

Thank you

The challenge at Lili of the Valley this week is Thank You, and I thought this little girl with her present of a flowering pot was just right.  I know - no sentiment - but I tend not to put them on until I know who the card is for.

My image is coloured with Copics, and I have used paper from an Authentique pad which I was a RAK from a friend.  It is so pretty, and I love the pink colours.  I have team this was black cardstock.  Pearls, a piece of stripe ribbon, a handmade flower and butterflies complete the picture.

I am entering this for the following challenges:

Lili of the Valley - Thank you
The Sweet Shop - I followed the sketch
Make It Monday - Always anything goes
Paper Creations Ink - Flowers
Paper Playtime - Anything goes
There She Goes - Colour Challenge - Baby Pink, Coral, Black


I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you. Hugs,

On the Beach

Time has just flown this week, and it is time for the  One Stop Craft Challenge,  and this week it is about life On the Beach.

I have finally mounted up a batch of Crafty Individual stamps I have had for ever, so am making use of them.  This one suits our theme perfectly.

I have used distress ink on silk card which guves a slighly softer colour.  I dried this and then stamped over with black archival ink, which I then dried as well.  The background papers are fairly muted, and are all from the Raspberry Road Travelogue.  I have added some small Petaloo flowers to finish off.

This week we are sponsored by

and one lucky winner will receive 5 digital stamps or 4 digital stamps and 1 digital paper set of their choice.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

ColorLab - Colour challenge -  I used the colours for the challenge

Cards und More - I followed the sketch

Creative Craft Challenges - Summertime

Digital Tuesday - I love the sea - include a digital element (my papers are digital)

Craft us Crazy - Anything goes

I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

Hugs,

Getting Inky .......

This is really something I have done for me - getting inky and playing about with colours, although there is a purpose behind it, as I am also entering it into a challenge - the new kid on the block - the Fashionable Stamping Challenge - and I guess in some ways it takes me back to what I love best - stamping .........  I really enjoyed this, particularly as I have had so little time for crafting this week.

For this card everything has been stamped on Ranger Manila  cardstock because I wanted the creamy colour to show through on the embossing.  I heat embossed the writing with clear detail embossing powder, and then coloured with distress inks.  The piece on the diagonal I have coloured the same, and then stamped a fine swirl over it - barely visible.  However, when I put the two pieces together I realised I needed to knock the colour back so went over lightly with DI Antique Linen, and then sprayed ovr with glimmer mist.  The lovely ladies are Crafty Individuals.  Once stamped, I lightly coloured some elements with colouring pencils and edged the border with distress ink.  They are mounted on a piece of card I coloured with distress stains.  The lace las been dyed with distress stain, and sprayed with glimmer mist.  To finish off a pretty fabric flower.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Anything Goes
Crafty Individuals - Bright and Beautiful
Charisma Cardz Challenge - Distressing
Do yYou Stack Up - Emboss It
PaperPlay Challenge - Create Your Own DP
Anything Goes - Celebration (well I think this is the celebration of women everywhere!)
Clear It Out - Summer (I have used summery colours)
Crazy Amigos - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Emboss It
Inspire Me Fridays - Always Anything Goes
Phindy's Place - Vintage
Simply Create - Distress
The Stamp Man - Anything goes with summer colours
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Favourite Stamp
Papertake Weekly - Grow your own - hand made flower
Dream Valley - Distressing
Truly Scrumptious - Lace

I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

Hugs,

It's fantasy time at MAWTT

Hello everybody

I am sorry I have not been around much, but life happens.  My Step-mother is in hospital very ill, and we have had to sort out care arrangments for my father for a few weeks, who is 92 next month.  We have received an enormous amount of help and support from social services, and I cannot thank them enough for this at what has been a really difficult time for Dad..

Anyway on to my card.  At  Moving Along With The Times  the theme is Fantasy - and this can be interpreted any way you want..  We were lucky enough to be given some images from Bugaboo, and I chose Ruby Tidbits - Tequila.  Now Ruby is doing the splits - even if I had had a bottle I don't think I could achieve this - so this is definitely a Fantasy.

I have followed the sketch from Midnight Madness.  The background papers are  K & Co Que Sera papers (well tequila is tropical) and I have picked out the blue for the border across the middle with I have also put through the cuttlebug with a embossing folder, and added a punched border on top with a piece of ribbon.  Ihave coloured the image in copics, and added a bit of Stickles to her boots.  The background has been lightly brushed with distress ink and then stamped over with a stipple stamp.  A toning flower from Prima completes the picture.

For this challenge we are sponsored by

and the lucky winner will receive 7 images to play with.

 I am entering this into the following challenges:

Use It Tuesday - Indian Summer - my hoarded stash is the K & Co paper and flower
AiFactory - Anything Goes
Craft us Crazy - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Punches and Die Cuts
Stamp Something - August Digi Day
Totally Papercrafts - Holidays
Cooking it up with katie - Emboss a summer punch
Crafty Calendar - Hot collours

I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

Hugs,

Don't be square

At  Moving Along with the Times  this week we are asking you not to be square - so round, oval, oblong, or whatever other shape you fancy - but no squares.

On to my card.  I have chosen the Little Trumpeter silhouette iamge to use.

For this card  I used a Ranger Big and Juicy pad and brushed several colours on to the cardstock.  I aslo added Spiced Marmalade DI.  The image was then printed over this.  The images all around the edge are from Lavinia Stamps.  My background papers are from the K & Co pad Que Sera, which I have had for several years.  The butterfly is a Cherry Lynn die, and the gems are a strip from a Prima pack.  I have dotted Diamond Stickles over the image to give the impression of fairy sprinkles.

This week we are sponsored by Stitchy Bear Stamps,

and the winner will get a $10.00 voiucher  to choose from their catalogue.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Ambers Crafts and Stuff - Sparkle and Shine
Cooking it up with Katie - Show me your Old New Favourite technique  (Old is DP, New is butterfly die, technique is the background)
Crafts and Me - anything goes
Divas by Design -Summer
For fun challenge - Anything goes
Freshly Brewed - Hot images or colours
Stampavie and more - Summer
Sparkle Creations - Freestyle
Crafter's Companion - Glitter and Glitz

I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

 Hugs,

In the garden

At  Sentimental Sundays  we are haveing a Garden Party this week, with, of course, a sentiment.  That should allow for a lot of leeway to see lots of gardening projects this week.

The background papers for my card are from the Prima Madelaine pad - just love these papers, and the butterflies down the side panel tie in so well with the garden theme.  I have chosen this beautiful image of a wheelbarrow filled with flowers, which you can find here.  My sentiment is Floral Haven by Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamps.   I have scrunched up some seam binding down the side panel, and added roses which I bought at the Newbury Show from The Hobby House.  The punch used for the senitment is from SU, and the butterflies at MS.

The prize for this challenge will be four individual sentiment sets from the Raindrop Echo Designs Whimsy Stamps Digital Collection.   If you like the weekly freebies offered, please visit the store to see even more!

          
We have also been asked to help with the fundraiser for Kim Sherrod's friend whose son was admitted to the hospital for heart problems. Kim is trying to raise money for her friend to be able to see her son, but it's not going well. Her friend is struggling financially and can't afford to make the trip.


To help with the fundraiser, Ann (Raindrop Echo) designed some fab stamp sets that are going to be sold as digital stamps, but will also be available as clear stamps for those who prefer it.

To support the cause, make a donation and get yourself these gorgeous stamps, please click here.




I am entering my card  for the following challenges:

Anything Goes - Pick of the Bunch - Flowers
All Sorts Challenge - Free and Easy
Crafty Ann - Summertime
If the Shoe Fits - Summer
Inspire Me Fridays - Always Anything Goes
Mami Doodles - Flowers
Paper Play Challenge - In the Garden
Paper Star - Anything Goes
Phindy's Place Challenge - Delightful Die Cuts
Polka Doodles - In an English Country Garden
Sew many cards - Anything goes


I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you. Hugs,

We are going Vintage at OSCC

Hello everybody

It is time for another challenge at  One Stop Card Crafts,  and we are going Vintage.  Now this is a style I am getting to love more and more, and I am sure that we are going to see some fabulous creations from all the entries.  Please also pop across to the challenge to see all the wonderful inspiration.

This week we are also sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts, where you will find lots of crafty deliciousness.

For my card this week I decided to go with a bridal theme, and have cut into some new papers from Pion, very pretty and delicately summery.  I have been looking at them for a while, and as most people know, if there is something you really love, it is quite hard to make that first cut.

My papers have been backed with a blue card, which tones really well.  The central panel is the reverse of the main paper,  The edges of the central panel have been lined with lace, and the photograph has been mounted in a Nestie frame.  All the edges have been edged with distres ink, and I have used stickles as well.  On the frame I have knocked the colour back a bit from the Snowflake paint from PaperArtsy.  All the flowers gave been sprayed with Irresdescent Gold Glimmer Mist, and I have removed the centres of the small ones and added pearl brads to all of them.  The lovely flower at the bottom from WOC, and they are bought by the metre, so there are lots to play with.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts - Bling it up
Crafty Ann - Summertime (wedding)
Crafty Enna - Feeling the blues
Cupcake Craft - Shabby Sparkle
Karen's Doodles - Bingo - Flowers, Die cuts, gems
Mami's Doodles - Flowers
Anything Goes - Flowers
Sew many Challenges - Anything goes
Make My Monday - Vintage Lace and Pearls
4 Crafty Cicks - Bling
Delightful Challenge - Summer (wedding)
Top Tip Tuesday - Make it Girly
Divas by Design - Summer
Pixie Dust Studio - Favourite colours
If the Shoe Fits - Summer
Digi Doodles Shop's Best - Anything goes
Bee Crafty - Wedding Wishes
Paper Pretties - No Markers
Little Darlings - Girly
Papercraft Star - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Anything goes
Ruby's Rainbow - Vintage and DT Call
Celebrate the Occasion - Blue and White
All Sorts Challenge - Free and Easy


I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments. Thank you each and every one of you.

 Hugs,