Saturday 20 December 2014

Last minute gifts and Spring flowers



Today sees our last Allsorts challenge of the year, it will run for two weeks to give the DT a bit of a break over the holiday season and will probably be my last post of the year as we have family arriving Monday for the holiday period...............unless I get mega bored or find unexpected time on my hands.

So I would like to take the opportunity to thanks all of my blogland friends for their friendship and support in 2015 and.......................

Now back to Allsorts where Helen has chosen the theme of Last Minute Gifts and our sponsors are A Passion for Stamps and Marianne Designs.


I will confess I didn't know quite what I could make for this theme, I was thinking along the lines of homemade sweets and chocolates but they are usually a last minute make in my kitchen and as I like to have my DT work done and scheduled well in advance knew that idea was a no no. Then a clear out in a drawer uncovered a stash of Church candles which I had left over from a demo ages ago so I decided to decorate one of those.

I used a new Penny Black stamp set called Festive Florals, stamped the Poinsettia onto some tissue and coloured in with my Chameleon pens and heated it onto the candle. I made a matching card and also decorated a box to match. I was a little disappointed that the leaves look a slightly different colour on the card and candle although it was the same pen, but when I checked with Tracy Mouse who is the Queen of candles she said it happens and recommends going a shade darker on the candle, so something to remember in future.


And I have a second piece using Chocolate Baroque stamps, this set with the Willow called Spring Foilage has been one I've had my eyes on for ages and when I saw it on offer that was the prefect opportunity for me to but it. I used Dylusions for the background with a spritz of Glimmer mist to bleed the colours, stamped the flowers and willow and bleached out a bit of the colour so I could paint them with the same colour Dylusions. I sponged in some clouds and added a computer generated quote. I would like to enter this into the current Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge which is shades of green, aqua and pinky/purple.

Happy weekend all.

50 comments:

Desire Fourie said...

Such a beautiful festive gift and I love the girly colours and the mixed media creation. Thank you for the good wishes. Also wishing you and your loved ones a blessed festive season.
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Aluna said...

Brenda, I wish you a very Merry Christmas too and a lot of amazing inspirations and projects in 2015 Year. Hugs, Joanna

Stamps and Paper said...

Lovely projects and card Brenda
Wishing you and your family A Very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful new year

Anne

Tracy said...

What a wonderful and beautiful candle set, the card and box are a perfect match. Your choice of stamp is gorgeous. What a lovely gift these will make. It's impossible to get a perfect colour match between candles and card, going darker on the tissue paper should help though.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Wendy L said...

All look lovely Brenda, but i do love the candle and card to match, xxxx

Marianne's Craftroom said...

Gorgeous makes today. Have a lovely weekend x

Marianne said...

Thanks for all the inspirational and beautiful cards all throughout the year and a very merry Christmas and all the best wishes for you and all your loved ones in 2015!
Hugs, Marianne

Sarah said...

Fabulous work, as usual, the poinsettias look wonderful!! Wishing you the compliments of the season Brenda xx

Pamellia said...

Beautiful poinsettia stamp Brenda and I just love the candle! I have never had any success making the decorated candles, but yours looks so professional! Gorgeous spring foliage too! holiday hugs :)

Lorraine said...

A beautiful candle and card Brenda.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy, healthy and crafty 2015.
Lorraine x

Helen said...

Happy Christmas to you too, Brenda and a happy and healthy 2015 too... love the decorated candle, it looks really festive. Helen xx (and if Santa could bring a run of good results too, that would be excellent!)

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful card and candle Brenda, this is the sweetest...great colours and design. Wishing you all the best for Christmas and love with your family, and a new start for 2015 to be the best.xx
{The Journey is the Start – my personal blog}

McCrafty's Cards said...

These are all beautiful Brenda, Wishing you a very happy Christmas
Kevin xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Brenda, your candle is beautiful, great idea for a gift. Your spring design is also beautiful using the challenge colours. I also love the spring foliage set. Thanks for joining us at Chocolate Baroque's challenge ! Have a wonderful Chirstmas and New Year's with your family, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Karen Petitt said...

Really stunning creations Brenda! I love the CB entry - in my favourite colours too. The candle. card and gift box are gorgeous too.
I want to wish you and your family and loved ones a very Happy and Merry Christmas and I hope you have a fabulous New Year too! Also wanted to thank you for your friendship, help, and for sharing your beautiful creations with us this past year. You really have no idea how much you inspire me with your crafting and with not giving up when you are ill. Merry Christmas huni Karen xx

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, Brenda! Gorgeous candle set! I have not tried a candle yet - one of these days! What a lovely gift! And your second card is absolutely beautiful - love these colours and such a lovely scene! Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Inkypinkydelights said...

Loving your most recent makes Brenda . Happy Weekend. Judy x

Pat said...

Brenda, this gift set is absolutely gorgeous, the poinsettia on the candle and card is beautiful as are the colours. Your second card has such fantastic colours in it. I do hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family. I will have all my family for Christmas day and I am so looking forward to it, My best wishes to you and I look forward to your wonderful creations in 2015.

Pat xx

I'm having problems too I don't know if this published, will try again.

susiestacey said...

I love your spring card Brenda, those catkins are so pretty as are all the stamps in the set - get tomorrow over with and then it starts getting lighter and spring is on the way lol. The bulbs are all poking their noses through and the camellia is ready to burst open and this morning l noticed flowers opening on the hellibore, isn't life wonderful.

Anyway ...enough waffle, the decorated candle looks beautiful together with the matching card x Susan x

Sue said...

These are so beautiful Brenda. I love the candle with the matching card. The images and colours on your second piece are stunning.
Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful Christmas also.
Sue xx

Marlies said...

Beautiful creations Brenda. Merry Christmas to you and your family. hugs, Marlies

Berina RGA said...

beautiful creations Brenda... love the candle.. very nice...
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh wow Brenda, stunning makes, all of them, specially love the candle and card set, such a wonderful gift idea!!

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fabulous candle and card! Happy and Peaceful Christmas also to you!

Kathleen said...

Gorgeous creations and I love that Spring foilage stamp, great colours too.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and very best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2015.
Thanks for your support.

Kath x

New Creations said...

OH, Wow! What a gorgeous and stunning set! I adore the candle with matching card, perfect for Christmas gift! And the card is absolutely beautiful with your stunning coloring work!
Wish you and Your Family A Merry Christmas!

Jackie said...

What a wonderful gift set Brenda, and the card below is lovely.
Thank you for your lovely greeting. Merry Christmas and a healthier New Year to you :o)
Jackie xx

Paper Profusion said...

A beautiful gift set Brenda. Nicola x

KandA said...

A really beautiful candle Brenda and I love the matching card and box. The spring card is gorgous too with that super sentiment.
Hoping you and your family have a wonderful christmas and all my very best wishes for 2015 xx

Becky said...

These are beautiful!

Donna Ellis said...

Thank you for your blogging Christmas wish, Miss Brenda! Same to you and your family. I hope you and I see an increase in our abilities, and a decrease in our "issues" in 2015. Your cards and projects are beautiful, of course, and so lovely for this time of year! xo

Mervi said...

Fabulous creations Brenda.
Merry Christmas, sending the Santa on his way to you;-))m

Keep It Sweet and Simple said...

Terrific projects, Brenda.
Thanks for all your visits and comments throughout the year.
I really do appreciate them
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Caroline xxx

Gerrina said...

Love the card and for sure the candle! The CB-stampset is such a versitile one and your first card with it is beautiful; brightens up the gray here... Hugs, Gerrina

SusanLotus said...

I wish you too a wonderful and peaceful Christmas full of love and joy.
And good health!

Warm hugs
Sussie in Sweden.

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Both offerings really beautiful. Your 'well planned in advance last minute gift idea' :) is excellent and beautifully executed. It doesn't matter they might slightly differ in shade.
Thank you for a whole year of beautiful inspiration. I love popping in here as your posts always make me feel happy :). Have a wonderful and magical Christmas. To you and yours, Joanna xxx

Andreja said...

Fantastic creations you made! I like both :-))
Brenda, I wihs you Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Andreja

Stamping Bubbles said...

Merry Christmas Brenda. Hope it's a good one.
Regards
Lesley

Ellibelle said...

Merry Christmas Brenda! Thank you for your friendship over the years and for all the inspiration!
Hope you get to spend some nice and peaceful days with your loved ones!

coldwaters2 said...

Two beautiful creations Brenda love the candle, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year
hugs
lorraine x

Anonymous said...

gorgeous creations brenda! you did a beautiful job on the candle and i'm sure tracy loves it. one of these days i'll try it, with hubby's helping hands as my one and only was a disaster; i'll just have to look at it as though it's another challenge. :)
wishing you a peaceful and cozy holiday.
hugs, linda

rachel said...

Hello Brenda - what wonderful gift ideas - and the CB piece is amazing - so beautiful - I think I emailed you to let you know the candy came but in case I didn't it did! Sorry - don't know what I'm doing half the time these days! Its fabulous - looking forward to using it! Thanks again for your kind words - wishing you and yours all the very best for Christmas and the New Year - much love - Rachel xx

Rhonda Miller said...

Merry Christmas to you!

I love that candle. Your cards are both lovely.

Bad Kitty said...

Merry Christmas Brenda!
really beautiful candle and the matching card and box.
I look forward to your wonderful creations in 2015.

Merry said...

Two amazing creations Brenda and that is interesting how the colour changed on the candle. A handy tip.

Wishing you and your family a fantastic Christmas and I can't wait to see what you come up with in 2015.

Marianne said...

Just wanted to pop in to wish you and your family a wonderful and joyous Christmas.
Marianne x

Flo Langley said...

Merry Christmas Brenda. What beautiful creations! The candle and card make a wonderful festive gift. Love your spring card. Such a lovely sentiment and a great use of the colors. Thank you for playing along with the Chocolate Baroque Color Challenge.
Florence xx

Claire said...

Gorgeous makes Brenda, you're so creative! Thanks so much for joining us at Chocolate Baroque challenge
I hope you're enjoying the Christmas break
Claire xx

Jo Channon said...

Hi Brenda gorgeous creations as ever, I love the candle and always forget to do some at Christmas! Must try harder to remember for next year! Xx

judith@poppy cottage said...

Hi Brenda, lovely Christmas makes, the candle and card are fab. Your project for the Chocolate Baroque challenge is lovely, great use of those stamps and the background is really pretty with the glimmer mist. Thanks for entering the challenge, Judith xx