Cambiel's Rambles

Bags, tags and bobtails

2010-06-15T01:42:00.000+01:00

So, where has the time flown to lately?! Is it advancing years or just being busy that makes the days and weeks shoot past like sand barrelling down an hourglass at warp speed? Both, I guess. I prefer the latter explanation mind you - and to prove the point here are some of my recent creations.

A fab handbag card complete with charms, phone and a little bling in the form of a jewelled brad. Gorgeous pearlised card for the main body of the bag, and glossy card for the clasp, handle and charms.

Next, my first ever commission card - ok, it was commissioned by my big sis, but that's good enough for me! :-) I thought I was quite clever in fotoflexing text onto the cricket bat, and the sentiment. Howzat for diy toppers then?

I've become a bit of a fan of swap-bot.com. Click on the flag at top right of the page to see the swap I am currently hosting. This bookmark was one i sent off for a previous swap which had to use salvaged items. I used the tag from a pair of jeans i bought recently. Tags on clothes are so pretty sometimes, it seems a craft-crime to throw them away so i was real happy to use this on my bookmark, and i have since gained another tag from an item of clothing that is crying out for re-use, so watch this space :-)

Lastly, a simple anniversary card. I adore swans, and think they are a perfect symbol of enduring love. This photo didn't come out so well though - the card is much more a bronze colour and pearlised too.

So there you have it for now. Thanks for stopping by xx

In Distress

2010-05-20T09:29:00.002+01:00

Here are my newbie attempts at distressing stamped images. I really like playing with distress inks, but think I need to learn to use a lighter touch. The 1st card has been embossed with a Cuttlebug frame folder and also distressed, the 2nd card is waiting for a sentiment to be added to the bottom, but I'll leave this 'til I know who and what it is for. Please leave a comment, oh and do let me know if you have any tips on distressing - thank you :-)

I love origami flowers

2010-05-16T10:25:00.002+01:00

I have fallen in love with making these origami flowers. This card has a flower made from pretty vellum, which I then sprayed with glimmer mist. The central part of the flower is a double petal layer made with my Nellie Snellen Punch n Emboss. The gorgeous background paper is from a collection of oriental papers I bought from Create n Craft. The Heron and Cherry Blossom are both Japanese symbols of good luck and the script is on the same theme. I made this for a family friend who has visited the orient, and whose birthday is this week. I forgot to take a pic of the inside of the card - but that was also decorated with patterned paper and punched flowers.

The next card is a bright and funky take on the same origami flower. This time using very fine embossed paper.

Thanks for stopping by to see my cards :-)

Latest cards

2010-05-09T16:52:00.000+01:00

Welcome to a round up of cards I've made over the past few days, starting with a simple pyramid card for a male birthday. I love lighthouses, and would live in one if it was in the right location and if I had the money, of course! :-)

There is a baby imminent in the family, so this pyramid easel card is just waiting for the name to be added.

A very dear friend of mine has been away on hols. Only for 2 weeks, but I miss her loads, so thought I would send this card to welcome her back home. It can be quite a downer coming back from a fab holiday, so hope this will cheer her up when she gets back :-) I really love these Hampstead papers from Papermania. So rich and warm; perfect for this kind of card I think. The pink flowers at the bottom are made with my new favourite toy, the fab floral punch and emboss sets.

I saw a tutorial about making origami flowers, and had to have a go. I cut out the flowers with a nestability scalloped circle, then embossed in the Divine Swirls cuttlebug folder, after which they were distressed with Tim Holtz inks, before the folding process begins. I am going to be bold and enter this card in the Crafty Cardmakers Distress Challenge.

Spring Trees

2010-05-04T02:31:00.000+01:00

Here is a card I made yesterday using some digi-papers I downloaded.
Then, using my precious Nesties, I matted the sentiment, which reads Spring: 1. the months of March, April and May. 2. The season in between winter and summer. 3. Time of nature’s rebirth.
Lastly, finished off with an embossed flower and some gems.

I have decorated the inside too, but cannot show it just yet in case it spoils a surprise :)

Disc World

2010-05-02T20:50:00.003+01:00

You know, I have always meant to start reading Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, yet still it languishes on my "one day" list. Anyway, this is an easel card I made for a young boy's birthday. The central image is pyramaged. I love the groovy aliens with their CDs - though perhaps they should get more with it and have MP3 players like us earthlings!

Candy worth shouting about

2010-05-02T17:28:00.001+01:00

Wow! This has to be the most desirable blog candy going! Check out Crafty Goings On for full details.

Catch up time

2010-04-30T22:43:00.008+01:00

Time I caught up with blogland, so herewith my recent creations starting with a birthday card for somone who recently developed a passion for playing the guitar. I just love the Rock Star elements from DCWV. I hope he also loved the plaited leather thongs I tied round the card too. I mounted the guitar shape onto thick card so it stand proud and added a few gems to the neck and body. With this card, I had as much fun decorating the inside too :-)

Hot on the heels of that came another birthday card for a chap who loves his console games and, according to his wife, spends way too much time playing them and watching TV, so I doubt he would have been offended at this couch potato themed name book.

A change of style now, for a special Mother's Day card. I loved doing the spirelli; and I clear embossed the flower heads to make them "pop".

Next is the birthday card I made for my sister, who has loved art deco for many years and has collected some beautiful items over the years. I think the current trend for the deco ladies is wonderful, and this card has a pyramage that is level with the aperture when the card is closed, but when opened the pyramage stands proud as the centrepiece of the inside of the card, so it's a nice surprise when you open the card. The card is elegant and stylish, like my Sis :-)

Then there two of the Easter cards I made this year. Still did not make quite as many as I would have liked, but got more done this year than last so am heading in the right direction.

Lastly, a special birthday card for a very special lady.. this template took a couple (!) of attempts to get right, but I hope you agree it is worth it. I think the depth gives the card that "ooohhh" factor.

Birthday fan / shell

2010-02-19T22:40:00.001Z

Found some lovely deco style images recently and remembered I had these fan/shell shaped card blanks, so covered one in some pale green paper I had embossed, then the elements on the green are raised on pads. Voila! I think the card is the perfect shape for the designs.

Huntington's

2010-02-08T02:34:00.000Z

I lost my mother, grandmother and aunt to Huntington's, (an hereditary disorder of the central nervous system) and it looks as though I will lose a cousin to the disease as well.
Fortunately it appears my sister and I do not have the disease, but there are many families whose lives are blighted by this little understood and most cruel disease. It not only alienates them from their families, but it robs a person of their identity, their motor faculties and, as the disease progresses, their memory, ability to swallow or to speak. Ultimately it robs a person of their life memories; they no longer know who their loved ones are and they become trapped in a dysfunctional body with no ability to communicate. I cannot think of anything more cruel. Please offer your support by finding out more about the disease at http://www.hda.org.uk and viewing the short film at the NHS video library

Thank you x

Bah Humbug #2

2010-02-03T18:38:00.000Z

OK, so there have actually been four Bah! Humbug! challenges thus far, but as I was away this is just my 2nd card. for Christmas 2010. The theme this week is baubles, and for my (very quick) card I have recycled a gorgeous deco lady image and layered her onto silver mirri card, then a red card blank which had been given a quick scoot through a divine swirls embossing folder.

It's never too early to start making next Christmas a bit easier, so why not join in this fun weekly challenge.

Back to the beading board

2010-02-01T19:21:00.001Z

It's been simply ages since I made any jewelery, but I took some of my bead stash away with me when I went to Scotland recently and here are a couple of the items I made.

First I deconstructed an existing necklace, to make a new necklace, bracelet and two pairs of earrings (a blue pair are not shown in the photo - can't remember why). I added chain at the top as I don't like the feel of big beads sitting at the back of my neck, and it gave me plenty of beads to play with.

Next is a lariat necklace and earrings I made. These are such pretty beads and I love the rose image on the larger beads. I probably should not have photographed them on a yellow background as they are a lovely delicate pink colour with clear rocailles.

Had also made another bracelet, pendant and earrings but I gave them away without thinking to photograph them beforehand. Anyway, it is enough for me that my enthusiasm for creating jewelery had a little spark - hope to make more soon :-)

Wednesday 13th January

2010-01-13T23:56:00.003Z

Have joined a challenge blog with the aim of making a few Christmas cards throughout the year. I figure this is a good thing not only because it should negate the mad rush in December but it will also give me time to use a number of different techniques, which I missed doing when I ran out of time this (last) year. Aaannnyyyway.. the challenge can be found at the Bah Humbug site and while you're there be sure to take a look at the design team's examples for some inspiration!

Above is the card I started out with. I loved it when I first received it at Christmas and thought to make 3 tags from it, but decided the triptych needed to be together, so I separated the images and mounted them on some gorgeous star studded midnight blue mirri card which I think makes the images really pop! then layered up on gold and red gold for an altogether richer look. Some ribbon and a bow to finish and voila! A card I would not have thought of putting together if not for Bah Humbug :-)
Photo quality could be better but hope you get the idea and like my take on the recycle challenge.

Friday 8th January

2010-01-09T07:32:00.004Z

Did not venture out today but found beauty within - within the kitchen, that is.
Here is my dish of the day. A gorgeous melt in the middle chocolate pudding topped with champagne cream..mmmmm...glossy and gorgeous!

Thursday 7th January

2010-01-09T07:23:00.000Z

Ran a mercy mission today. Father lives in a rural area and was totally snowed in but managed to get supplies to him and took this photo on the way home just as the sun was beginning to set. OK, the snow has been troublesome for travelers, but it makes everything look so beautiful. I think I could happily live in a Christmas card scene.

Wednesday 6th January

2010-01-06T22:33:00.001Z

Look away if easily offended, as today's photo is of the Texas Snowman Massacre!
I was stuck when it came to his nose as I only had the tiny chantennay carrots soooo ... I got a parsnip and dipped it in red food colouring. BIG mistake!! LOL

The snow made the food colouring all wet and it dripped everywhere! Now my snowman looks

(a) as though he has a massive cold with that big red blotch round his nose (do you think he looks like he could use some Sudafed?) and

(b) where the red food colouring spattered all over him and the surrounding snow it ended up looking like a massacre had taken place! Haven't giggled so much in ages!!

Have measured almost 10 inches of snow here today which for SE England is a LOT!

Will treat you to a 2nd photo today. (I know, I spoil you rotten!) On the corner outside the house persons unknown built a snow-workman complete with work-belt, Yorkie mug and hi-viz vest! Brilliant isn't it?!

Tuesday 5th January

2010-01-05T19:58:00.001Z

Not made any jewellery in ages, and am resolved to be more productive this year. Started off with a very simple stretchy bracelet in colours I adore.

Monday 4th January

2010-01-05T00:08:00.006Z

Today was utterly gorgeous.. blue skies, sunshine and the thickest, whitest, sparkliest frost!

A perfect winter day.

Sunday 3rd January

2010-01-05T00:05:00.002Z

Don't you think my Dad looks amazing for an 81 year old? I wish he'd eat more though, hence this Sunday lunch of roast lamb....yum!

Daily photo 1st & 2nd Jan

2010-01-03T01:01:00.004Z

Have decided to try the photo a day journal so here are my first two.

Jan 1st - craft supplies I bought the previous day, mostly these are courtesy of my good friend Laverne's generous Christmas gift. Top left is a rinky dinky little bowmaker; some boxes for me to alter, and a fab decoupage pad which is all die cut inside.Under that little lot are two sheets of Kanban toppers which are gorgeously foiled, though shiny does not show in photo. Some of what I think are panduro style beads - flatties and rounds. Two sets of charms - one of angels, one of words (Love, Hope, Joy, Faith) and a pair of Swarovski crosses. Lots of fabby sheer ribbon and a delicious paper stack that has all kinds of embossing on the paper.

Jan 2nd (Saturday) Visited the local garden centre, which was looking a teeny bit bleak - as you might expect for January - but they have some lovely hollies. I wanted to buy some, but not sure if you need to have male and female plants to get berries. How could anyone possibly tell - that's what I'd like to know. Anyway, there was no-one around to ask, so I contented myself with taking this photo.

Happy Birthday Peter x

2009-12-20T08:43:00.001Z

Happy days - on phi phi island off the coast of Phuket in Thailand.

Love now and always

xxx

Three Years

2009-12-13T06:03:00.000Z

Today, as every day, I remember my beloved Peter but especially on this day that is three years since he passed.

May the good Lord's face shine upon you Peter, and in perfect peace may you be in His loving care evermore.

'til we meet again my love

LLLLDW

xxx

Tempus fugit

2009-11-05T14:48:00.000Z

Here we are almost a year on, and little has changed but much is about to. I need to spread my wings and see where I land in the world of work. Roll on 20th November, my last day in current job.

Two Years

2008-12-13T07:05:00.008Z

It is two years to the day since I lost my beloved Peter. I was thinking last night about the last time I saw him, and how much I wish I had known it was going to be the last time, how much I wish I had said and how much I wish I had been by his side. His dear mum, bless her, does not have to mark this date as she passed away recently and my heart's wish is that she is now with Peter and they are a comfort to each other. God bless you Betty.

Two years. It is no time at all and yet it is the longest time of all.

A caterpillar does not cease to be when it becomes a butterfly, and Peter, I know, has not ceased to be.

God bless Pete. L.L.L.L.D.W. xxx

More Christmas Cards

2008-12-11T22:07:00.016Z

Getting a bit scarily close to the big day now and still got loads to do - well haven't we all! anyway, here are my latest cards. Hope you like them.

This first photo has not come out very clearly but the verse in the suspended oval says "Peace on Earth will come to stay when we live Christmas every day"

Top down view of same card

I just love this vintage looking angel - she is adorable don't you think?

The background to this image is chalked and embossed - first time I have used chalks.

I scanned this next one, so you can't really tell but there are several layers of decoupage on all the images.

Next are three Dufex decoupaged cards. I love these images - they have a rich fairytale quality about them.

And to finish, something a little more modern.

Latest cards

2008-12-04T23:35:00.005Z

A few cards I made over the past couple of days. So many more yet to make though - where has the time gone!!???

A card and ATCs

2008-12-03T09:23:00.002Z

Here is my latest Christmas card and a couple of ATCs made for the CB swap.

Award

2008-11-23T23:57:00.009Z

WOW! I am truly delighted to have received this award from Jackie. Thank you :-) I am passing this award on to these lovely people for their inspirational blogs and the hand of friendship they have held out to me:

Helena, Pinkpuppy, Max, Jules, Snaggles, Heather, Maddy, and Aims

Nativity Star

2008-11-17T12:51:00.005Z

Here is another card I have enjoyed making. The star is really prominent as it is on several layers of card with foam pads between. I like that dove and the star are hiding the little nativity scene - like the old style advent calendars always used to have a nativity scene for the 25th December.

Diagonal Tri-fold Card

2008-11-16T19:26:00.005Z

I had fun making this little card. It’s all tied up with ribbon, then it opens diagonally into a trifold card showing a little decoupaged ted inside.

It's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas

2008-11-14T23:59:00.011Z

Here are some of my recent makes. Most of them have gone to a charity sale, except the birthday card which was for my good friend Sarah, and the two snowman ATCs which are for the CB swap. I have been lucky enough to be given a CraftRobo as an early Christmas pressie and have enjoyed playing around with it. The Let it Snow and Peace on Earth cards were made with templates I bought from Tina at www.forevermemoriesforyou.co.uk and from Debbie at www.cardmakingheaven.co.uk Hope you like my latest efforts.

2008-10-24T23:13:00.002+01:00

Have just re-read yesterday's post where I was saying I couldn't wait for the weekend to come so I could play with the cute companions set, and now I am sitting here thinking it just goes to show you should be careful what you wish for! because I got to play with the cute little creatures much earlier than expected thanks to having such an awful day at work that it led to me walking out. Well, that is a problem for another day. In the meantime, here is the 2nd card from the cute companions set. I stamped the mice and some of the baubles and tried my hand at watercolouring them - could do with a bit more practice but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Country Christmas

2008-10-24T00:16:00.004+01:00

A wonderful parcel of goodies arrived today, including the gorgeous Country Companions Christmas cd and stamps. This is the first card I made from them. The scene is decoupaged, and I have added glitter flocking powder to the snowy areas and the tops of the lettering. Can't wait for the weekend when I can have a proper play with them all!

Birthdays and Awards

2008-10-22T21:57:00.008+01:00

Here are a couple of different birthday cards I made recently . . .

And here is an award I received from Snaggles and Ultramum - thanks so much ladies :-)

There are a few rules to having this award:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog

2. Link the person you received the award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours

Here are my nominations...
Tiggertastic, Copse, Heather, Maddy, Max, Torpenhow and Rachel

Quick cards

2008-09-27T08:06:00.006+01:00

My reward for having a bit of tidy up in my craft room was to make these two quick cards tonight. The lady with a fan is made from wrapping paper. I just cut her out several times and decoupaged the various layers.

The little Christmas card was just to try out some new pens. I love the metallic green, and the lighter colour is the same pen but watered down and colour washed. Along the base is some glitter flock for snow tho’ it doesn’t show up in the picture so much but I like the sparkly effect like frosty snow.

Christmas Challenge

2008-09-20T23:25:00.006+01:00

This book is up for grabs over at the PollyCrafts blog! All you have to do is

design a Christmas card

leave a comment on the PollyCrafts blog linking to your entry

leave a link to Pollycrafts on your blog

Closing date is Sept 30th

New home

2008-09-20T23:18:00.006+01:00

This is a card I made for a swap on the CB forum. It took me far longer than it ought to have (partly because I took it apart twice and partly because I couldn't find just the stamp I wanted for the leafy background - until today that it) but I kinda like the end result.

Resurfacing

2008-09-13T21:52:00.013+01:00

Thought it was about time I posted again, as it has been quite a while (in blog land terms that is). So, here are some of my recent makes:

This birthday card went to my good friend Karen who liked the bright fresh colours

This was for a friend's wedding

While this card is yet to be given - I think I know who it will go to tho'

And lastly, this was for the postcard challenge on the CB forum.

Peter

2008-08-19T21:18:00.005+01:00

I am so sad this evening. I miss my beloved Peter so very much and for some reason it is hitting me hard today. I have put a ticker on here for him and it is showing 20 months now, but it doesn't seem to get any easier. Not really. I can distract myself for a time, but it is always there - in the background of my mind, and in the ache of my heart.

I miss you Peter
L.L.L.L.D.W.
C
xxx
xx
x

Latest makes

2008-08-06T20:58:00.015+01:00

Phew! It's been hot and humid the past few days, so I have stayed in the relative cool of my craft room and made these bits and pieces

First is a card for an old family friend who needs all the good wishes we can muster.

Then some birthday cards for the CB ladies

and this summery card for a family birthday

and last but not least a birthday book, the idea of which came from this month's CB mag.

Hope you enjoy looking at these as I enjoyed making them. It's been said many times that crafting is good therapy and I think this past week or so I have felt the proof of that!

Designer

2008-08-03T06:56:00.002+01:00

I am very excited because Sarah (Tiggertastic) has kindly agreed to be a designer for PollyCrafts. There are now some free designs with step by step instructions for some really pretty jewellrey that is simple to make. You can find them at the PollyCrafts site under Design Ideas

Don't forget there are also some free images you can download, and the Fairy Challenge runs until this Friday 8th, with a Fiskar's bowmaker as the prize. There are some beautiful entries and I know it is going to be very difficult to pick a winner! Take a look and see what I mean!

2008-08-01T14:34:00.009+01:00

Despite being a poorly chick, it has been a busy ol' time lately as PollyCrafts is taking off slowly but surely, and the entries there for the Fairy challenge are just brilliant. Take a look and see what I mean. It isn't too late to enter - you have until midnight UK time on Friday 8th August.

I have also been busy in my craft room and here are some of my recent creations

Hope you like them :-)

Lauren's Blog Candy!

2008-07-23T10:15:00.001+01:00

Lauren is back from holiday and has got some fabulous blog candy on her site. Check it out here Lauren's Cards Etc.: Blog Candy!#links

New Challenge with Prize

2008-07-19T07:34:00.006+01:00

The first PollyCrafts challenge is now open at PollyCrafts blog . The theme for this challenge is fairies and as a thank you for taking part the prize will be a Fiskar's BowMaker which will come in very handy for all sorts of occasions (not to mention Christmas which is getting nearer by the week!). Hope you can find the time to take part :-)

More Candy and Some Free Images

2008-07-19T00:05:00.005+01:00

PollyCrafts now has its own blog and to celebrate there is some Christmas candy up for grabs. Check it out here Christmas Candy

There are also some free images for you to use on your cards and projects here Free images

Have fun!

Plans Agley

2008-07-18T01:06:00.010+01:00

You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men (they "gang aft agley"!)
So it was with me - just when I was getting excited about some new stock arriving for PollyCrafts and thinking up a challenge as well. Before I could utter a peep about any of it I was taken ill and rushed to hospital. Almost a week later and it is a huge relief to be back home and above all to have my own bed and my own bathroom again! Amazing what you take for granted isn't it. The lovely ladies on the CB forum have been just awesome. I have been quite humbled by the outpouring of well wishes and I received this lovely card and a RAK from my dear friend Sarah (Tiggertastic). . .

and this gorgeous card from the lovely Louise (PinkPuppy)

and then this pretty card and RAK came from my friend Jackie (Torpenhow)

Thank you to all my dear friends and everyone else who has been so kind in wishing me well.

PollyCrafts

2008-06-22T18:58:00.008+01:00

I am SO excited! I have just launched my web-site (www.pollycrafts.com) to sell a small range of card making goodies. It is only in early days yet (well, day 1 as I write this. lol) and I have lots of ideas for the site, but please have a quick visit and tell me what you think (there is a guest book on the site). At the moment, it is just a few things for Christmas which I know is early but I am hoping by the time I get the site a bit more established people will be thinking about their Christmas cards.

Eventually, I would like to have a design team and some ideas pages for a hopefully increased stock of goodies. I would also like to post some how-to pages on there but Rome wasn't built in a day, eh :-)

Please visit http://www.pollycrafts.com/ I hope you like it. Do let me know xx

CB forum members please PM me before buying and you can benefit from a 10% discount and free P&P

Blog Candy

2008-06-21T21:47:00.008+01:00

Wow, have been so busy the past week or more, taking people out for birthdays and weekends away and work, work, work. Have been out and about so much there has been no time to craft which is really sad and I am missing it loads! On the other hand, my blog counter is showing over a 1,000 hits now, so to celebrate I am offering some blog candy to one lucky person.

Here's what you need to do to be in with a chance of winning:

Link my blog to your blogroll. It counts if I am already in your blogroll of course :-)
Please write a post on your blog letting everyone know about my blog candy.
Leave a comment on this post, so I can come to visit your blog, after you fullfilled the other points

The closing date will be Midnight Sunday 20th July! And I will be more the happy to send the candy internationally! Thanks for taking part :-)

21st July Update: The number out of the hat was 12 so the winner of the blog candy is Ultramum! Congratulations Eve! Blog Candy en route to you for when you return from holiday!

Tagged!

2008-06-21T00:00:00.003+01:00

Yikes! I've been double-tagged by PinkPuppy and Ultramum! Thanks ladies :-)

The Rules of the game
Each player answers the questions about themselves.
At the end of the post the player then tags 5-6 people and post their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answers.

Ten years ago?
I was at uni (as a mature student - which is an oxymoron if i ever heard one!) studying history during the day and working in BUPA's call centre at night. Where on earth did I get the energy from?????

Five things in today’s to do list?

Clear out cupboards
Make blueberry muffins (diet variety unfortunately)
Work on my new website (details to be announced soon I hope)
Order new mattress for my Dad
Clip Twinkle's claws (not yet done)

Snacks I enjoy?

Custard cream biscuits
Salami wrapped round cream cheese
Mini Cheddars
Marmite crisps
Bananas

Things I would do if I was a millionaire?

Ensure my loved ones are well provided for
Give up work and adopt a child, or at least fund some children in 3rd world countries
Buy a house in the country and a holiday home in a warm sunny country
Spend a few months in a top notch health farm getting fit and well
Host a big crafting weekend at a posh hotel for all my CB friends with mega stash laid on of course :)

Ohh it's lovely to dream even if just for a few minutes.

OK I am going to tag the following peeps:

Tiggertastic
Copse
FreeHartz
Lollies
LizLovesWill
Max62

Blog Candy

2008-06-15T20:19:00.004+01:00

Not much crafting accomplished this week as have been away for the weekend with Dear Dad - we went to Eastbourne - which has cruelly been dubbed God's waiting room, but unfairly - we had a brill time, and there are some great shops for craftaholics! Speaking of craftaholics, if you head over to Max's blog you could win some great blog candy as Max has accumulated two thousand hits and is giving candy away to celebrate. Hope to have more craft related things to show you next time!

Recent makes

2008-06-10T20:50:00.009+01:00

These are some of my recent makes. I just love the paper and silk butterfly on the first card, and could hardly bear to give it away! lol I will have to go and buy more of this paper I think :)

This card was my first bit of wirework using a jig as well as chalks and coloured peel-offs. I really enjoyed playing around with new ideas.

This card has several layers of decoupage and was really fun to make. I think I could get addicted to cutting out little patterns! lol

And here's a quick thank you card I made.

2008-06-02T09:03:00.010+01:00

Quick update with some of my recent creations. The first cards are for June at Foll's Field, as are the handbag and phone charms. The car is to wish my friend Ed good luck on his driving test (I will update you on whether he passed or not) and the last card is my first attempt at paper folding.

New things

2008-05-25T14:55:00.005+01:00

I hope you like the beautiful new header on this page which was made especially for me by the fab Martine. You can check out her site here http://thecrafttable.blogspot.com/. Thanks so much Martine

Yesterday I had such a fantastic time with Tiggertastic, shopping in my favourite place, The Art of Craft. Piccies of our haul are on the CB forum here (http://www.crafts-beautiful.com/site/index.php/forums/viewthread/4541/) I had thought we were being reasonably restrained - until we got the check-out! Still, at least we can say we have done our bit to help keep independent retailers afloat! LOL

Now as it is a Bank Hol, I have time to actually play with all my new goodies so that is what I am off to do. Take care and have a fun weekend x

Necklaces

2008-05-20T22:05:00.012+01:00

These are the necklaces and earrings I made at the weekend. The pic of the pink and green one (on the black background) does not really do justice to the lovely summery pinks and greens. It is very delicate and pretyy - just right for summer (which I hope we will have lots more of!). the darker set are a really gorgeous iridescent purple and green - and look fab when worn with just about any colour. Have also updated the pic of the charms (further down the page) I am making for June at Foll's Field Sanctuary. Thanks for looking :-)

Awards

2008-05-20T17:57:00.017+01:00

Wow! The fabby Sarah at http://tiggertastic.blogspot.com/ has generously bestowed these awards on my blog (see below). I am SO delighted, I can't tell you how much it means :-)

I now have the pleasure to pass these awards on to three friends from the Crafts Beautiful forum:

http://sewdelish.blogspot.com/

http://hermumbles.net/talk/

http://cardsandothercraftystuff.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your awards ladies!

Therapy

2008-05-19T00:13:00.009+01:00

Had an out-of-sorts few days but spent the weekend making a few bits of jewellery which is good therapy. Will post pics of some necklaces and earrings I made. In the meantime here are some charms that are part of a set I am sending to June to add to her crafty sale which will raise money for the horse and pony sanctuary. You can read more about that here http://www.follsfieldsanctuary.org.uk/

Sunny Sunday

2008-05-11T08:40:00.006+01:00

It's a truly beautiful morning, the sun is shining in a blue sky, the birds are singing their hearts out and I have mastered the art of crimping! This is a set of Cinnibar jewellery I made yesterday. Cinnibar is a Chinese carved wood, and it is delish to feel as well as look at.

Aso made a birthday card yesterday using a twisted pyramid which I embossed with clear powder to give a glossy finish, and the tiles are chipboard covered and glossed to look like tiny ceramic tiles.

And a very quick card made this morning:

Now have to do a little bit of work on a spreadsheet that was meant to be complete for a project at proper work tomorrow and then going to enjoy this lovely Sunday :-)

THE Wedding Card

2008-05-07T08:04:00.004+01:00

After much deliberation on what to make for my two guy friends who are getting “hitched” here is the result. It’s not a great pic I’m afraid. The silver writing says “Congratulations” in the top left and “Phil & Chris” in the bottom right. The pink card is not glitter - it’s just the way the light has caught it - it’s a kind of shiny pearlescent. Also, the top hats have velvety black bands around them, though that is not v. clear in the pic. Anyway, hope you like it :-)

2008-04-29T20:38:00.000+01:00

Time flies!

2008-04-29T20:11:00.013+01:00

Can't believe a whole week has flown past since I last posted. In that short space of time I have managed to nigh on bankrupt myself through craft shopping both at my fave local shop (http://www.art-of-craft.co.uk/)as well as numerous online stores. You know the feeling you get when you just have to have a pretty / shiny / sparkly/cute something-or-other? Well I think I have a sickness as that's how I feel any time I am near anything crafty! LOL Judging by my fellow CB forum buddies, this is quite a common affliction ;-)

Not all bad news tho'. I made this cute card for a few pennies by judicious use of free wallpaper samples and magazine freebies.

Have also been busy making a card for my friend Phil who is getting "hitched" to his partner Christopher. Almost finished now so will post piccie next time.

Have also made some phone charms but the pics are rubbish so I will get some better ones to post up.

Last, but by no means least you will be crazy not to check out SusieB's site as she is offering a very generous helping of Blog candy to celebrate her well-deserved 10k hits. Take a look here http://whiteribboncards.blogspot.com/ and enjoy browsing her site.

Music while you browse

2008-04-22T20:33:00.006+01:00

Been a poorly sick chick today so stayed home and made some ATCs for the CB swap - tho' won't post any pics of them til after the swap so I don't spoil anyone's surprise.

Have also added a playlist to the site so you have music while you browse (though you can pause the player if you prefer)

Back to work tomorrow - but have enjoyed playing with crafting goodies today :-)

Have also learned about the plight of some horses from a fellow CB-er. Please visit her site here http://www.follsfieldsanctuary.org.uk/ and if you can help in any way then it really is the most worthwhile cause!

My work

2008-04-17T07:50:00.003+01:00

Here are some pics of jewellery and cards I have made. Hope you like them :-)

This is the first jewellery I made at bead and wirework class. I love the colours.

And I love the colours of these beads too!

The paisley shapes on this card are decoupage and finished with little gems

This is just a very simple card I made for Easter but didn't get around to sending.

Email

2008-04-16T22:00:00.000+01:00

Decided to put some pics up of my jewellrey and a couple of cards - but cannot transfer from my phone as the bluetooth connection on this pc is non existent and I can't find the cable (grr) so will have to wait til tomorrow to post them up.

In the meantime, have made a card for no particular reason at all, which is a first for me as up to now I have only made them as I need them so it was fun to make a random card with no thought as to who it will end up being given to.

Photos

2008-04-16T13:58:00.001+01:00

Here are some photos of my trip to Las Vegas. It was my first visit there and .. wow! It's just a big, grown up playground - and I loved it!

These beautiful glass flowers are a huge (and I mean, massive) sculpture that adorns the ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas

This is the world's biggest chocolate fountain - it's 27 feet high and pumps over two tonnes of white, milk and plain chocolate! I could have died happy in that fountain!

The famous fountains at the front of the Bellagio which dance to music every night.

I just loved this funky looking tree in the botanical garden at the Bellagio

First post!

2008-04-16T13:11:00.000+01:00

Well, here we are! I've been thinking about it and now I have done it. I've created a blog. I have seen so many great blogs (mainly those from the Crafts Beautiful members) and decided to join in the fun.

Now all I need to do is get some photos together so you have something to look at!

Hope you will enjoy this page

Chris x