Crafting Again

Well that's the first full weekend of 2017 over with.....for us it was a nice relaxed one at home. We have both been a little under with weather with various coughs, colds and sinus problems so it was nice to stay home in the warm and just chill out.

Last week one of the guys I work with asked me to make him a birthday card and exploding/photo box for his girlfriend so this weekend was the perfect time for me to play in my craft room and produce the goods. The theme was pretty and girly and I think I achieved that on both the card and the box. As yet there are no pictures in the box, I will add these at a later date as my colleague wants to let his good lady pick which photos to put in. I am looking forward to hearing what she thinks about it although I am pretty sure she will love it as I know she likes all thinks pretty, girly and sparkly. The flowers that are on the lid are all from Wild Orchid crafts and the two large pink flowers in the box are Prima.

The card is 8x8 and I used a Lilli of the Valley pre coloured card as the image, I layered up some cardstock and paper and then added some ribbon, gems, metal corners and a die cut sentiment to finish it off. I used to have quite a collection of ready made cards but my stash is almost depleted now so I think I may spend the next couple of weekends making some more so that I always have a stock of cards ready to go. If you are a card maker do you make yours as you need them or do you keep a stock that you can dip in to as needed?

I also started trying to organize a travel planner for our USA holiday. I bought a leather binder from the sale in Paperchase and then I bought and downloaded some travel pages from Etsy. The plan yesterday was to sit down and get it all printed, trimmed to size and punched so I could start filling it
in. I managed to print and trim however the portable Filofax A5 hole punch I bought was worse than useless - it only punches one page at a time and because you have to really squeeze the two sides of it together to make it punch it scrunches up your paper around the holes leaving it looking a ragged mess. Thankfully I found a better quality one on Amazon that is currently winging its way to me so hopefully next weekend I can get going again. Feeling frustrated by not being able to set up my planner I plonked myself on the sofa with a cuppa and the laptop and did a little craft shopping with Paper Maze. They had a little sale on so I snapped up some lovely scrapping papers and Heidi Swapp planner bits, looking forward to those arriving now, been a long time since Mr Postie bought me a pizza box.

I went to Weight Watchers last Thursday for the post Christmas and New Year weigh in, I knew there would be a gain which I was expecting to be around 4-5lbs. I was rather pleased and surprised when I found out that it was only 1.5lbs! Am back on track now so that should soon come off and then I can get on with the task of losing that last stone to get me to my goal weight.

Thanks for stopping by my little blog. Leave me a little comment below and a link to your blog and I will pop over, have a read and return the compliment.

Love and hugs, Jane x

A Little Saturday Crafting Session

Afternoon all....what a horrible day it is here, its cold, damp and very windy indeed! The perfect kind of day for staying home and being creative.

Tomorrow hubby and I are off to a surprise 60th birthday afternoon tea. As the birthday girl is a close friend who also loves anything creative and crafty I couldn't let the chance go back to make her a little something special to mark her birthday. I was going to make a mini book but after searching for ideas I decided to make an exploding box, something I haven't made in ages.

I used to make loads of these boxes, in fact I even taught classes at a local shop many years back (please note that I am not claiming the rights to the exploding box - I got my measurements etc off the web and went from there). I opted to make the base layers and lid of the box in neutral colours and then I added a little splash of colour inside with patterned papers and some flowers on the top. You can see below the closed up box....

The next picture is the centre square of the top layer where I put a little card so that I can write a message to my friend.

The flowers on top of the lid of the box are all from Wild Orchid crafts, I gave them a little brush over with some Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Antique Lace to kind of 'age' them and give them a bit of a shimmer.

I had forgotten how much I enjoy making these boxes, they are fairly quick and very simple to make but they are so effective. They make such a fab gift for birthdays, new babies, weddings etc. I am sure my friend is going to love hers. If you have a special occasion coming up and would like a box made please do not hesitate to get in touch, my contact details are all here on the blog contact page.

I also managed to complete a layout today, this one is based on Sues January sketch (yes I know its February, I am just a tad behind here!!). You can see the original challenge on Sues blog here. For this layout I again used up the ends of a Basic Grey kit, the pictures are of my niece and I last year before a family party.

Hopefully I will manage to complete the Feb challenge before the end of the month!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane x

Another Weekend Over

Boo to the weekend almost being over, I am so not ready to go back to work tomorrow. Wish the lottery win would hurry up and come in!!

Its been another fairly relaxed one here for us. On Friday night hubby went out with some of the lads from work so I had a couple of girlfriends over for dinner and drinks. I made a chilli con carne and I managed to point almost everything, including the drinks. I think I may have dipped into my weekly points slightly but on the whole I managed to stay on the WW track which I am pleased about. It was lovely to see the girls too, we had a good old natter and catch up.

Yesterday we took a drive down to Ashford to do a little shopping at the outlet village. We really like it there but it can be very hit and miss at times. Luckily this visit was a hit for both of us, himself got some casual canvas type shoes from Ralph Lauren and some jogging bottoms from Nike and I got a long sleeve top and coat from Superdry. We also got some new knives and scales for the kitchen and as is usual on an Ashford visit I got some new Yankee candles. As soon as we got home I started on a little re-arrange of our kitchen which is predominately black and white, however we (or should I say I) have recently decided that it needs a little pop of colour so I have added a few red bits and pieces to brighten it up a bit. I had planned to craft a little but time soon ran away and after a lovely dinner of chicken fajitas we curled up to catch up on the new ITV drama Lucky Man followed by the film called Everest. I can highly recommend the film, such a great story full of determination, courage and bravery.

Today has been a stay at home and craft kind of day, despite a bit of a lie in this morning I managed to escape to my room fairly early on. I made two cards, one for a friends grand-daughter who will be 18 in the week and the other for a 60th birthday.

For the 18th card I used a topper that I have had in my stash for ages, think I got it from Ally Pally many years ago. I used some odd bits of card stock and Basic Grey paper and then just added a sentiment from Craftwork Cards, some ribbon and a few gems.

The second card I made is for a special friend who is about to celebrate her 60th birthday. We are going to a surprise tea party that is being held in her honour next weekend which I am really looking forward to. For this card I used a Lili of the Valley printed postcard, I added ribbon, gems and some paper flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts. The little butterfly was punched using an EK Success punch that I bought on holiday in Vegas last year.

I also completed a layout I that I started last weekend. I was inspired by my friend Sarah's work, she creates the most beautiful layouts full of bling, butterfly's and blooms (you can see her blog here). The papers I used are from the Websters Pages Sunday Picnic collection as is the pink voile flower on the right hand side. Both the butterfly's are by Prima as is the crystal swirl on the left, the swirl on the right I did myself using a Bazzill template and a load of gems from my stash. before everything was stuck down I fiddled a bit and decided that it needed a little something more so I added the lace and ric-rac. I think I am pleased with the end result......

So here we are the last day of January, that means we are another month closer to Summer - yay. I cant wait for the warmer weather to arrive! I have already noticed that the evenings are starting to stay lighter just a tiny bit longer now. Anyone else feel the same as me or are you loving the cold, wet Winter months?

Anyway hope you have all had a great weekend, thanks for stopping by.

Love and hugs, Jane xx

Altered picture frame

Good morning, hope you are are all enjoying this lovely Bank Holiday Sunday. Not a perfect day weather wise but the sky is blue, the sun is shining and its warm enough to have some windows open!

Thought you might like to see some images of another picture frame I have altered, this one was a belated Christmas/Birthday present for my friend Denny.

The original frame was just a standard wood effect frame that I first painted with some Paper Artsey chalk effect paint in the colour Vintage Lace. Once that was dry I covered the whole thing in a layer of Paper Artsey crackle glaze and then topped it with a layer of Paper Artsey chalk effect paint in Snowflake. When it had completely dried (which seemed to take forever!!) I finished it off with a coat of Paper Artsey satin glaze to give a soft semi matt effect. The next step was to lightly sand a couple of edges here and there to make it look a little bit vintage/distressed. To embellish the frame I added some metal corner flourishes and a couple of clusters of flowers (all of which came from Wild Orchid Crafts)and a few cream pearls. Finally to complete it I painted the flowers with a little bit of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Vintage Lace and Marshhmallow to give them a soft shimmery sheen. I was really pleased with the finished item, think I will make a few more of these frames in some brighter colours, what do you think would look good??



Thanks for stopping by, if you like what you see on my blog please leave me a comment and a link back to your blog so I can do the same for you.

Love and hugs, Jane xx

Alterations

Afternoon all...

Sorry for not blogging for a couple of weeks, hope you like what I have to share with you today.

One of my challenges to myself this year was 'try something different' so with that in mind I recently bought myself some distress crackle paints. I had found this http://denasstampingcorner.blogspot.com/2011/12/embellished-frame-gift.html a few weeks ago and with it as my inspiration I set about creating my own altered picture frame. Below is the result....





I started with a cheapo wood effect frame that I picked up in the local home store and covered it with a layer of pink Paper Artsy chalk effect paint which was followed by a coart of Paper Artsy Crackle glaze. After leaving that to dry I then added a coat of white Paper Artsy chalk effect paint. Finally I sealed it with a coat of Ranger Crackle Accents before adding some flowers (from Wild Orchid Crafts) and a couple of gem& pearl swirls.

I am really pleased with the way its turned out, am now planning to make a couple more of these as birthday gift.

Thanks for looking, Jane x

A Little Bit of Card Making

Evening all...

Thought I would pop by and share a couple of pictures with you all of some of the cards that I made yesterday. They are all for sale so if anyone is interested please get in touch.

The images were all coloured by me using my Copic Ciao pens. The 'flower' sentiment on each card is by Craftwork Cards and the mulberry flowers on the cards are by Wild Orchid Crafts.




Thanks for looking, I am planning on making a few more cards in the coming weeks so keep checking back. X x

What I have made this weekend

Evening all, hope your all well and that you had a good Bank Holiday weekend. Such a shame about the weather though, wasn't exactly good for going out and about was it?? Luckily Tom and I had no plans, we spent most of the weekend pottering about at home. The highlight was a trip to Ikea to buy an Expedit unit for the living room - now my albums have a proper home. Gotta love Ikea!

I spent a bit of time crafting this weekend, I made a load of cards to go in the raffle at the Charity event we are having in Hayley's memory this coming weekend. I also did a couple of layouts, one of which is below. The picture is of Scarlett and I used Fancy Pants papers and embellishments that I have had for quite a while. I added a few buttons along the bottom and the little alpha are by Adorn-it



I also made a scalloped circle card using my Cricut Imagine (the circles were cut and printed using the Lori's Garden cartridge). The stamped image is Glam Goth by Sweetpea and she has been coloured in using my Copic Ciao pens. Finally I added some Wild Orchid crafts flowers and some pearls from my stash. The flowers have been brushed lightly with glimmer mist to give them a little sparkle. The round sentiment is by Craftwork Cards.



Thanks for looking, more posts to follow soon.

Jane x x

Summer is on the way.......

What a wonderful weekend we have had weather wise, how nice has it been to have all the windows open, to ditch the coats and to just enjoy being outside in the sun! Looks like Summer is on thy way, just what we need after the long Winter we have had.

We have had a nice couple of days. After work on Friday we headed over to Bermondsey Square for a couple of drinks in Alfies bar, it was a lovely sunny evening so we sat outside and watched everyone coming and going. It was a great way to start the weekend!

Much of Saturday was spent pottering about doing odds and ends although Tom did go to football to watch Millwall v Leeds (which resulted in a win for the Lions!!) and I sat outside with Daisy for an hour or so. We went to a 50th wedding anniversary party in the evening, the party was for Ruth and Alf who are the parents of an old school friend of mine. It was nice to see so many people from the 'old days' and it was especially nice to be able to share in such a special celebration. Fifty years is certainly an acheivement in this day and age.

Today has been a lovely lazy Sunday, just the kind of day you need when the sun is shining. For most of the day we just sat outside on the grass while Daisy has run about and played. Her doggy pal Barney even came over to play, while his 'mummy' Cath and I sat and looked though the Stamping Up catalogue and planned a little order.

I did manage one layout today but I need to photograph it before I can share it with you. I have attached a couple of pics though, these are of the layouts I did last weekend, both of which are of Hayley. It has taken me quite a while to get my head around scrapping these pics but I am very pleased with the outcome and I hope that if Hayley can see them she likes them.

On the 'Hayley' layout there is hidden journalling behind the picture and the pocket holds a couple of newspaper clippings about the accident as well as the tribute card from her funeral. The papers and matching embellishments have been in my stash for ages and I think they were either My Minds Eye or Fancy Pants, the title was done with Thickers and the pearl and gem swirl was done using my Bazzil temmplates.



For the Beautiful Angel layout I again used papers that had been in my stash for ages, the lace and metal corners are from Wild Orchid Crafts, not sure where the crocheted flowers are from (again have been in stash for ages)and the title was done with Thickers. Finally the stunning picture of Hayley was taken by the very talented Julesmichelle. Thanks hun for this most beautiful and lasting memory of our beautiful girl.



As always thanks for looking,

Love and hugs, Jane x x

Mothers Day Cards

Evening folks!!

I really LOVE the easel cards that I made last week, in fact I love them so much I decided to make my Mums Mothers Day card in this style.

I made it as an 8x8 card using some navy blue card stock which I then layered with white cardstock and some old cherry arte papers. The image is a Tilda by Magnolia which I coloured in with my pro markers. The flowers and metal corners are from Wild Orchid crafts and the bling and pearls are from my stash, the Mum has been done with American Crafts Thickers. Finally I cut 2 scalloped ovals using a set of nestabilities which I then stamped a sentiment from Imagine That on. I have attached a couple of pictures for you to see....just hope Mum likes the card.




On Monday I took some cards into the office for the guys I work with to see. I wasnt expecting too much as I work with all men but they were all very nice about my cards and I actually ended up with orders for 4 card, 3 for Mothers Day and 1 for a 21st birthday. Looks like I will be busy in the PPoC tomorrow (as if I need an excuse!).

So far its been a nice weekend here. Yesterday Tom and I headed up to Covent Garden to meet our friends Liz and Andy Garlick who were visiting London from their home town of North Carolina. It was really good to see them and share a few drinks and a lot of laughs. Hopefully one day we will get to visit them in NC!

Today I paid a visit to the Craft Barn with Cath, I was quite a good girl and just bought some cardstock, a couple of inkpads, a glimmer mist and a home sweet home wall hanging kit. The CB is one of our fave shops, the service there is always fabulous and the ladies make you so welcome and are full of hints and tips. Hopefully it wont be too long before we go back.

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane x x

Something a Little Different

Evening all and hope everyone has had a good weekend.

We have had a fairly relaxed weekend which makes a change!!. Yesterday we popped over to see Dad who is recovering really well from his operation. Its such a relief to see him getting better, long may it continue.

I managed a little bit of crafting yesterday, I made 3 cards using a Magnolia Tilda stamp that I got from Sir Stampalot. For a change I decided to try something different and instead of making the usual style of card I made them as easel cards which I now love. I have attached a couple of pics for you to see them. The papers are all from my stash, the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the sentiments are from Stamping Up.




Today has been spent indoors doing odds and ends, housework, washing and the like! I have also spent a big chunk of the day updating and adding to itunes - technology is not always as simple as its supposed to be!! LOL

So here we are, Sunday evening again. Luckily I have a short week this week as I am having a days holiday on Friday. I am planning to meet up with our friends Liz and Andy who are visiting from the USA, North Carolina to be exact. Liz wants to go to Harrods so it should be fun!

Thanks for stopping by and if you like my cards please leave me a comment!!