Creative Life

Hi blogland

Urghh I am still feeling rough, have had a chesty cold for a while now and it's really getting me down, but not enough to stop crafting :D

As I have mentioned in a previous post I bought a book of quotes/sayings to use for inspiration in my art journal, here is another spread I came up with last night.

The quote is

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong"

Recipe

Journal

Silks Acrylic Glaze

Baby wipe

Masks/Stencils

Memento Ink Pads(Tangelo/Bamboo Leaves)

Archival Ink - Jet Black

Fresco Finish Paints (Chalk/limelight)

Paper Artsy Stamp EEV05

Alphabet Stamp Set (unknown brand)

Posco Pens (Black & White)

huggles

xoxox

And then he kissed me.....

Hi Blogland

I was busy doing some stuff online the other day listening to my music (set to random as you do) and then the song 

"And then he kissed me" by The crystals came on and suddenly I had an idea for a journal page and couldn't wait to play.

Here is the finished result

Recipe

My Journal

Black Gesso

Stencils (Dylusions and TCW)

3D Gloss Gel (Reeves)

G45 Papers Mon Amour

Indigo Blu Script Stamp

Grey Paint

Mod Podge (Matte)

Amazing what ideas pop in your head when you least expect it.

Hope you like it

Huggles

xoxox

Life is...

Hi blogland

I have finally started a new journal - and it's not the one I recently altered as that was given to a friend of my eldest daughter lol.

I bought 2 books filled with quotes and sayings and intend to take inspiration from these when it comes to filling my new journal and what better way to start than the following quote

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser"

John W. Gardener (1912-2002)

Recipe

Art Journal (A5 size)

Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Paints (Rose, Lilac & Cheesecake)

Tim Holtz Foam Stamps (Chronicles)

Dylusions Clear Stamps (clearly borders)

Archival ink (Jet Black)

TCW Stencils

Gesso

Grunge Paste

Posco Pens (Black & White)

I love the way this has turned out (even with the teeny mistakes) and am look forward to continuing with the journal.

Huggles

xoxox

Art Journal Cover

Hi Blogland

Can't believe it's been a month since my last post but I have a VERY good reason.......

I finally gave birth on Halloween to a beautiful baby boy.

I am happy to say he is doing brilliantly, growing nicely and is very healthy and happy.

So as you can imagine I have had my hands full and have been resting and getting my energy back, though during this time I have been itching to get back to playing with my crafty stash lol.

I have been wanting to start a new Art Journal and have had a book sat on my desk waiting patiently to be altered, today I finally sat down and started playing and here is the result.

Recipe

A4 Sketch Book

Tissue Paper

Mod Podge

Mini Art is Stencil

Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Paints

Perfect Pearls

Archival Ink

Tim Holtz Chitchat Stickers

I am really pleased with the way it has turned out and cannot wait to start filling it - watch this space

Huggles

xoxox

Altered Box using Mon Amour G45 Papers

Hi blogland

I know it's been a while since my last posting I just haven't been feeling too well, nothing serious/major, just plodding along the last stages of pregnancy (am due within 2 weeks now eek)

So in a nutshell not had much energy to do much crafting.

However a friend of mine has started up her own business and was kind enough to ask if I would make something using products available on her Site. 

I of course said yes and this is what I made

Recipe

Mon Amour Graphic 45 Papers

Black Soot Distress ink Pad

Mod Podge - Matte

Bling/Trim from stash

Treasure Gold gilding wax - Ruby

oh and a box

These papers are really lovely and I hope I have done them justice, I wanted to keep it simple, the ladies and roses are from the same paper collection and I wanted these to be the main focal points but without detracting from the backing paper.

Hope you like it, please be kind and leave me some love in the comments below, they're always appreciated

Huggles

xoxox

Desk Tidy - Using Fernli Designs Products

Hi Bloggers

I am EXTREMELY excited to talk to you all about my latest project (can you tell lol)

I have been talking to a lot of talented people lately and learning how to think more 'outside the box' - I really can be 2 dimensional sometimes and only take things at face value (I know it's criminal, and I call myself a crafter lol)

It was during one of these conversations that suddenly an idea imploded into my brain and I just HAD to order from the fantabulous Fernli Designs and I actually used the items instead of storing them and taking them out to stroke now and then.

This is my Project and I will list/link all products used from their website in the Recipe list

Recipe List

Tic Tac Toe - Base

4 x Cooks Matches

Open Topped Storage Boxes 2 of the 3" & 2 of the 4"

2 sheets of 6x6" Greyboard

Papers are from an unknown brand with the title 'Love Story'

Paint & Glue

Ribbon and Lace from stash

I hasten to add it is not flush at the back - I wanted access to the back of the drawers in case they get stuck (I know my gluing/painting skills lol) - Also the matchboxes are not the same length as the boards but they're strong and sturdy. The little gaps between the 'drawers' are big enough to fit a pot of stickles (I tried)

Hope you like it and please take a look at Fernli Designs, their products are of fantastic quality, you can do SO MUCH with them - don't just take my word for it check out their facebook page(s) and other customers testimonials

Huggles

xoxox

Re-Create-d - A Make Over

Hi bloggers

Have you ever made/created something that you just don't like or can't 'take' to? I know I have many a time, but I always keep these as a reminder to myself that nothing is ever perfect.

I have also often thought, am going to do something with that or change it etc but have never been able to bring myself to - Til now

I popped over to Anything But Cute to see what's been going on over there (if you haven't checked it out DO SO!) and find out what the latest challenge is and it is to 'Upcycle/Remake' an old project.

Perfect excuse to pull out a previous project and pretty much start over, and I knew just the thing I was going to tackle.........

This

I have hated this from the start, it just kept going wrong (and believe me I had done so many coats of paints/inks layers etc) til I just gave up on it completely.

I had it hanging in my hallway and I cringed every time I walked past it, but I kept it there as a reminder to myself that I can 'Do Better' and that there is always room for improvement.

Here is the new and improved version

Recipe

Original Canvas

Tissue Paper

Flowers

Buttons 

Resin Embellishments

Discs/Cogs/Flourishes/Clock

Keys

Seed Beads

Metal Filigree Pieces

Gesso, Gel Medium & Glue

Radiant Rain Ink Sprays

Distress Stains

Treasure Gold Waxes

Pebeo Fantasy Paint

Now I have a Canvas I am happy with and can display with pride knowing I never gave up.

Thank you to Anything But Cute for the challenge theme and the fantastic inspiration from the Design Team.

I also want to thank you for the Honorable Mention, I have my badge on display in my sidebar with pride.

Everyone appreciates being acknowledged in some way or other and words fail to express just how much something like that means to someone like me - So Thank you

Huggles

xoxox

"Precious"

Hi Bloggers

I cannot believe I am sat here at almost 1 in the morning writing out this post but I just cannot wait to share my latest mixed media project.

Once again I was inspired to make something thanks to a just for fun challenge on a Facebook group I am in called Crafters @ Play - always so much inspiration going on there.

I have, for the longest time wanted to try and do a scrapbook page but have always shied away from actually doing one, can't really say what held me back as I truly do not have a reason.

Anyways the weekend challenge inspiration was a scrapbook page, though we could basically do whatever we wanted as long as we took something from the inspiration.

Here is what I came up with

Recipe

12x12 Sheet of Greyboard

12x12 papers

String

Various Embellishments

Corregated Card

Liquid Pearls

String

Glue

Distress Ink Pads

Alphabet Die

Lace

Photo

I would like to enter this into

Mixed Media World - Gorgeous Textures

Love to Create - Anything Creative/Mixed Media Goes
That Craft Place - Mixed Media, Anything Goes

I have never entered these challenges before as I have only JUST discovered their blogs, and I must say they are blooming fantabulous - Go check them out!!!

I hope you like my first attempt at a scrapbook page (though it's hard to call it a page when I intend to have it hanging on the wall lol) Please be kind and leave me some love (and become a follower ;D) it's always appreciated and means a lot to me 

Huggles

xoxox

Romantique Grunge Jar

Hi Bloggers

I am really excited to show you my latest piece, an altered jar.

I have built a small collection of jars and thought it's about time I started actually altering them (especially as I have added a few bottles to the collection as well now).

I didn't really have a clear picture in mind in how I wanted the finished look to be, I feel the more I over think what am doing the more anxious I get and give up before I begin.

So I just got on with it and played and here is the result

Recipe

Jar

Tissue Paper

Dutch Doobadoo Cardboard Hearts

Dutch Doobadoo Stencil Metal 2

Home Made Texture Paste

Lace & Spider Netting

Various Embellishments

Paint

Glue

Teasure Gold Gilding Waxes

Thank you for dropping by and be kind to leave some love by leaving a comment

Huggles

xoxox

Photo Canvas

Hi bloggers

I've recently been overly inspired by so many different Mixed Media projects that I've just wanted to dive in and play.

A fellow mixed media enthusiast and talented crafter Naomi showed me a video of a Photo Frame Canvas Project from start to finish - check it out HERE

I really loved it and wanted to make something similar.

This is what I came up with

Recipe

Canvas

Photo Frame

Tissue Paper

Various Embellishments

Home made texture paste

Stencil

Corregated card

Radiant Rain Sprays

Treasure Gold gilding wax

Glue

I am really pleased with the way it turned out and knew instantly the photo I wanted to add in the frame.

The photo is of my 4 children, my 2 eldest daughters boyfriends and 2 other friends as well as my sister. It was taken on a day out the the coast on my sister's birthday and it was a lovely day out that I will cherish forever.

Huggles 

xoxox

12 Tags 2015 - Jan& Feb

Hi bloggers

Been playing again today and have finally made a start on my 12 tags of 2015 - am following the set themes set from the event on Crafters @ Play

It's a lovely group on facebook that runs different events/challenges that are just for fun

Here is January's

Theme is 'TEXT'

Here is February's

Theme is Red

watch this space for the rest 

huggles 

xoxox

"Dream"

Hi bloggers

I was browsing the net the other day (as you do) and I came across a challenge blog I hadn't seen or heard of before

Anything But Cute

It is a Mixed Media challenge blog and everything I have been looking for in a challenge blog.

This months Theme is

"Making Magic"

and let me tell you the DT creations are so inspirational

GO CHECK THEM OUT

(ok after you have finished reading this post preferably lol)

Here is my project made for this challenge

Recipe

8x8 piece of greyboard

Wooden Word 'Dream'

Tissue Paper

Black Acrylic Paint

Treasure gold gilding waxes

Tim Holtz Dies

Grungeboard & Grunge Paper

Flitter Glue and Mega Flakes

Metal Butterfly

Bling/Pearl

Mod Podge

Other Glue

Metal Book Corners

I intend on adding a 2016 mini calendar in the bottom right hand corner but not just yet cos I want to have it on display now

As this is the first mixed media project I have done in so long I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed every minute making this and am looking forward to creating more pieces like it - I feel like I have come home again in the world of crafting.

As always I fully appreciate any and all feedback, including hints/tips/suggestions.

Please be kind and leave a comment for me as I enjoy reading them also feel free to become a follower.

Huggles

xoxox

New Desk!!

Hi Bloggers,

I was missing crafting so much I begged hubby to let me dig my stash back out, but I limited myself to what I could fit on my bureau display cabinet.

Problem was it was on opposite side of the room to my PC and next to the TV and I just could not get comfortable sat there. 

My darling hubby Andrew said to look for a new desk, Being limited on funds and space I knew I had my work cut out for me.

After a few days of searching I found the ideal desk and Andrew ordered it for me.

It arrived today (yay happy dance) and Andrew got straight to work assembling it while I started sorting through everything (again) and here is the end result

Excuse the teeny bit of mess - I never said it was a perfect end result lol - I now can't wait to start playing again so watch this space.

xoxox

Quick makes and a small achievement

Hi blogland,

Just a quick post today sharing a few of my latest pieces including my first ever successful wire wrapped cabochon (basically a stone with no drill holes to make it easier lol). Here they are

 Green Onyx wire wrapped cabochon

Assortment of necklaces

Hope you like them

huggles

Starting over

Hi blogland
Welcome to my new blog, I am gutted to have lost my old one due to account issues. Me and technology don't always see eye to eye and I'm not the most technical minded but hey ho I muddle through.

Still it was a while since I had last posted anything due to so much happening in my life, it's been chaotic to say the least, so much so I had to make the hard decision and pack away all my crafty stash well the paper crafts and all my mixed media supplies (believe me it hurts knowing it's all cramped up in boxes under the stairs)

Things "seem" to be calm at the moment (and I know typing those words will come back to bite me in the backside lol) so I am able to take a moment and write this post.

Though as previously mentioned am not doing paper crafts or mixed media/altered art at the present time, I am however making jewellery again. Here are some of my latest pieces

Today however I made what I think are a pair of gawjuss Sterling Silver Sapphire and Druzy Drop Earrings

I am signing off now and I hope in posting this (and sharing it on my facebook page) I can start gathering some new (and old) followers, please be kind and share my new blog and also leave me some love in the comments below
Huggles ~x~