an enjoyable afternoon

I spent the afternoon yesterday just tinkering with my craft stuff, didn't really know if I was going to make anything but this card materialised. I started with the crackle background, done with two acrylic paints and PVA, a friend, Carrie, told me about.
The stamps are from Art Journeys, Smile plate.

Two posts in one day, whatever next

another set of tiles, these ones are for Karin, who's colour scheme was vibrant blues and greens, for some reason my camera didn't want to pick up the green very well but it is there honest.

a couple of things

I had the urge to make something yesterday so I got stuck in to the next set of tiles for our collaborative project and this time it was Pennys turn, her colour choice was hot colours/orange with blue accents, so I hope she likes these.

The background is acrylic paints and the stamp is from ISC.

After I'd finished Pennys tiles I wanted to make something different so had a look around the challenge blogs. The Challenge on Forever Friends was to use brads or eyelets and I have loads of these that I got way back when I first started card making as I just thought they were the coolest thing ever lol. I ended up using some eyelets that came with my Cropadile though as the others I had just were too small to get the effect I wanted.

Oh my word

I just logged in and noticed the date of my last post, it has been about six weeks since I posted, the worst thing is the fact that was the last time I sat and did crafting of any kind I think, books music and work all taking over at the moment.

The summer has gone by in a flash, I can't believe it has been six weeks since we went on holiday to Italy, two glorious weeks of sunshine and seeing our lovely daughter Sam, who is living the life out there on Lake Garda. After seeing her lifestyle it makes me wish I was a 21 year old again instead of a Mum with a 21 year old lol, makes me feel old, wouldn't mind so much but I'm not even 40 yet, that is a delight that I have coming up later this year, woopee (can you hear the sarcasm :o) )

I hope you are all enjoying the summer and the delight of knowing your little darling will be heading back off to school very shortly, in the UK anyway, I always loved the summer holidays when my kids were little but now the boys are 17 and 14 they are off doing their own thing with their mates, and fingers crossed we get a few more weeks of summer before Autumn sets in.

Pink and blue and a flower or two

is this weeks theme over on the Forever Friends blog.

Colourful

is the theme on Wednesday Stamper this week.

I've used acrylic paints for the background, seeing as they were still on my table from yesterday. The stamps are by ISC, Inka and Crafty Individuals.

Playtime

The challenge on Mixed Media Monday this week is simply to play, this is what they have to say

This week my challenge to you is to simply “play”! I think we often spend too much time worrying about the end results to sit back and enjoy the process. So this week, take some time to enjoy the process and have some fun!

I do like using acrylic paints and getting some texture into my creations, it can be very messy but also great fun. This is a bit of a wild colour combo, bright pink, turquoise and orange but I really like it.

The stamps I've used are from Non-sequitar, Inka, and ISC

Forever friends

The theme over on the Forever Friends blog is pink, brown and flowers.

I've never taken part in these challenges before but after having been sent a few FF images I thought I'd have a go.

A few things

I came across the Mind wide open blog some time back and have loved the images they have put up to be used in their challenges but I have never got around to taking part until now.

The image on this card is also from Mind wide open, I just loved the softness of the colours and the subtle pattern and despite loving the image I ran out of time to make something for the challenge, so I have made a birthday card for a lovely lady I have known since I first ventured into the world of crafting online.

And lastly I was very excited to find out my inchie cube had made it into Craft Stamper this month. It started out as a forum challenge set by Carol but it ended up with Carol writing and sending a piece into the magazine and luckily for us all it was published, so a big thanks Carol.

Here is a sneaky peek at my inchie cube.

The collabrative project continues

It was my turn to receive lots of gorgeous squares last month, I have them all tucked away safely waiting for inspiration to hit , I do keep getting them out to look at though :o)

This month is Audreys turn, and i must admit that I am very late with these, sorry Auds




All stamps from Crafty Individuals.

Another great giveaway

Wendy from Stamp Attic is having a giveaway over on her blog. Pop over and to her blog, leave a comment and you could be in with a chance of winning one of two copies of the latest Artful Blogging book from Stampington.

A girly giveaway

The lovely Galina is running a giveaway on her blog for no other reason than the sun is shining. Pop over and have a look for yourself.

Do you ever get the feeling time is running away on you

because that is exactly how I'm feeling at the moment. I'm not especially busy, I only work 4hrs a day and yet I have no time for creating, boring things like housework and cooking keep getting in the way of my 'Me' time. The last decent amount of 'Me' time I got was a few weeks back and because the sun was shinning I took myself outside and over the week read the entire Twilight series, very indulgent reading the first book in one day. I know these books are aimed at teenagers but I have to say I loved them!

I'm hoping normal service will resume shortly and I will be able to manage my time more efficiently and actually get and take part in a few of the great challenges that are around at the moment. So if you are one of the lovely people who visit my blog regularly, I apologise, but I will post something a bit more interesting than this waffle asap :o)

Childhood

is this weeks theme over on TGIF.

I've made my piece on a base of corrugated card that was recycled from some packaging. The use of the corrugated card is inspired by my friend Joanne, who has used it several times and always to great effect.

fairies at the bottom of the garden

is this weeks theme over on the Tag it on blog, a new challenge blog for me as I on;y heard about it when I was looking at Joannes blog earlier.

My tag is quite big, not sure on the size, but the background is done with chalk inks and a few sprays of Glimmer mists.

The wings are stamped onto acetate and coloured with alcohol inks.

The stamps are by ISC, Inka and Paperartsy. The diamond paper is by Crafty Individuals.

I've posted two pictures as I couldn't pick up all the colour and the glimmer with or without the flash, so one is with the flash the other isn't.