Dream

Morning all, it's mid month inspiration time at We Love Stamping and Stamping Sensations where our themes are 'Make it Cute' as chosen by Mervi and CAS as selected by Helen. Prizes are House Mouse stamps from Oakwood and stamp sets from Grafton Crafts.

Above another Colorado Crafts image, one of a very few cute stamps I own, it's called Lots of Love, stamped coloured and cut out with the coordinating die and placed onto a background scene created with various Lavinia stamps. Double D has the theme 'Make your own background' which is what I did here as per usual. As you like it  challenge asks for favourite dies and why, well they are not something I use that often but as mentioned below I've set myself the challenge to use more. These are a recent purchase and I'm rather enjoying them and made a good few cards with them. 

I've used a Penny Black stamps called Lustrous, inked with Ecoline pens, stamped twice then one cut to give four sections to place over the base image. The sentiment is also Penny Black called Life, both a good ten or more years old. I've just been to Ellie's blog and this seems to fit her new I Spy CAS theme nicely and also Beautiful Blossoms.

Above is my Snippets Playground share, a few weeks back I set myself to challenge to be more adventurous with dies, whilst I did lots with them for TRR/Highlight that was much easier as they all have reflections artwork with them so no worry about dreaded colouring in.  Above the results using new Penny Black and Spellbinder dies, OK'ish but way outside my comfort zone. I scored the white panel and ran an inkpad down to carry the colour of the embossed panel, stamped a sentiment then arranged the die cuts. Afraid I forgot a photo, so keen was I to clear up and move on to some stamping! But I will admit it was a great way to use up lots of small pieces of Bazzil cardstock which I've been hoarding for far too long.

Butterflies and Birdies

Morning Peeps, time's caught me out again as almost forgot my mid month share for Tag-Along (and ATC's) where we are following Lynn's Wings theme along with the AG option.

I created my aperture tag by cutting two tags then using a shaped die to create the centre panel, brayers two colours of Oxide on both, then stamped A&C Butterfly border stamp, sadly now discontinued, raised the second tag on foam tape. Stamped a few birdie also A&C and a couple more stamped and cut out on the Scan and Cut and seam binding. Entering at Hearts Quest shaped card and tags and the Card Free Zone. Layering up is the theme at Simon Say's Wednesday challenge, it's not something I do that often so hope there's enough on this one.

For my ATC, Lavinia Bumblehums masking the stamo to get just three and Wild Poppies, a piece of dies cut honeycomb, some twine and sticker sentiment and a tiny matching envie. Entering this at ATC's around the World challenge.

Pink Maple leaves

Good morning, our new theme selected by Val at Allsorts is Trees, Leaves and Plants along with the usual Anything Goes. We have some stamp sets to be won this time round.

A fairly CAS card for me, the top section of the front panel was masked and Lavinia Maple Leaf stamped repeatedly. Soft inking along the bottom line then a wide and narrow tip glue pen run along the edge and Cadence Gilding Tilsen brushed over, it's not cheap but really does last forever, had mine for 2/3 years and still looks hardly used. Sentiment stamped in the same Versafine Glamorous is from my own Moments stamp set, available mounted or unmounted via the link. As You Like It current challenge is Layered or Flat, has to be the latter for me as it fits my scenic preference style. Also Creations in Pink.

A second one again using Maple Leaves inked in Autumnal colours, along with the smaller version of Gideon the Fox which is a set of two, Rue the Fairy hanging from the branches, Leaf Spray and mini Mushrooms. This one is also for the current Lavinia challenge of Enchanted Forest, I was a a lucky girl as their random generator picked one of my Sunflower cards to win the £40 prize, I'm on a roll as last month I won $25 at Simon Say's. Ellies new Garden Challenge started this week, the Maple, Fox and Fairy can all be found in our garden, although you sometimes have to look hard for the Fairies! Also Hearts Quest Fantasy, the colours also fit AAA Colourful.

We've had a lovely display of Thistles in the wildlife meadow and the Bees love them, grabbed this photo the other day on a wander round the headland.

A fabulous crop of Quince this year, still quite a lot of growing to do until harvest time mid October when they can weight half a pound or more each as pretty solid fruit. Then it's what to do with them, only so much Quince Jelly you can make and give to every visitor, I've tried mixing with apples and other fruit for pies and crumbles but they are pretty tasteless. Any suggestions on other uses please share or click (here) to arrange Evri delivery by the barrow load!!

Gift Exchange and The Blood Moon

Morning all, time for our new challenges at We Love Stamping and Stamping Sensations. At WLS our theme is 'Make it Cute as chosen by Mervi and we have some House Mouse stamps from Oakwood to be won, at SS Helen has selected CAS as our theme where prizes come from Grafton Crafts.

Above I've used Colorado Crafts Gift Exchange, first time with their stamps, bought this and another set, I thought they would appeal to Margo as she loves anything with animals. The tree is Lavinia as are the flowers to build up the scene for the focal pair of cuties.

The focal flower is from Visible Image plus a little extra stamping using worker stamps, the flower stamped, coloured and die cut with a section of the flower outside the panel. A Birthday sentiment from a set sourced at Amazon and matching envie. The Alphabet challenge has the them of CAS as do Sparkles challenge, so would like to enter both. 

It's funny how some things go full circle, back in 2009 a lady who used to travel miles to come to my classes called Laurie (aka Designer Diva) was one of the DT's at Moving Along with the Times challenge and through her I was invited to join the team. However Allsorts had started just a couple of month earlier, craft challenges were a whole new ball game back then so I decline at the prospect of creating for two......how things change! 

Here we are sixteen years later (and much older in the tooth), Helen has taken over from Wendy to run the challenge and invited me to join. This time I said yes and above is my share for the current challenge of Butterflies and/or Dragonflies which started a few days ago. I was late to the party, but work will be posted on 1st of the month in future. Colour Dare challenge has a colour duo which this seems to fit perfectly and Ellie's I Spy is Sunny Colours this time, looks sunny'ish to me.

The Butterfly is Visible Image, repeat stamped with three colours of Element inks, the sentiment from same set as above and a splattering of gold Frantage which had a long overdue outing.

Couldn't resist a photo of last night's Blood Moon, it was a lovely clear evening at dusk as it rose over the top paddock.

Agapanthus Cluster

Morning all, time for our September challenge at Tag-Along (and ATC's) where Lynn has chosen the theme of Things with Wings and as usual there's the Anything Goes option as well. We have another lovely set of tag shaped dies to give away to the months lucky winner and as always the three of us will each choose our favourite from the months entries.

I've made a tag with a little pocket using an oddment of MCS DP on the pocket, some A&C words and birdie to the front along with a PB Butterfly, a real old wood mounted stamp. On the tag some random stamped script and Stampendous Agapanthus Cluster P107, my all time favourite stamp. Literally everything on the tag and pocket were from my snippets rack although I don't have photos I'm afraid, but will share over at the Playground ready for the new term starting this week. Would also like to enter at The Outlawz Card Free Zone and Aud Sentiments who would like to see Tag or Thank You + Sentiment.

My ATC made it's way to New Zealand. A few weeks ago our friend, the one who was killed on his way home from us last month, had his Daughter over from NZ where she's lived for 15 years. She wasn't due to come untill Autumn but decided to bring her travel dates forward, we are all so pleased she did, now she's back again to sort her Dad's things and spending time with us.

She had never heard of ATC's so I showed her my collection and she asked if she could choose one to take home, the above was her choice. Given what happened soon after she went back to NZ, it now seems so appropriate that she chose one with a Butterfly.

Stampers Anonymous stitching stamped round the edges of the inked ATC, an A&C Butterfly and sentiment and little envie to match plus a few pearls.

Also sharing my card for the Card Chain Challenge, it went to Jo and followed the colours Fuchsia, Tangerine and Violet and took the hexagon shape from the sketch. All stamps from Lavinia's new Twilight Tea collection.

Here's our one and only Agapanthus (more coming). Some will remember we planted a special garden where we buried our Poppy Dog in May. Uncultivated land, where she used to enjoy mooching under the trees, but with so many wild rabbits it's like Watership Down so limited which plants are 'rabbit proof'ish'. After some research went with Agapanthus, Digitalis, African Daisies, Geraniums along with a Rose youngest son bought to remember her, there were already lots of self set Oriental Poppies which will bloom again next year. 

Given how dry the Summer has been things have been slow to establish, but quite encouraging to see most have taken and growing, even a second showing of pink Digitalis.

It would be lovely if you could join us this month, even if tags and ATC's are not your thing we would love you to give it a go, several entrants have dabbled into them for the first time and become quite addicted.

Toadstool home

Good morning, our new theme at Allsorts is Birthdays or Anything Goes and has been selected by Donna. We have some stamp sets to be won this time round.

I've used all Lavinia stamps, Lupin who is a favourite Hare with lots of us, looking up at Forest Cap Toadstool house where there a Fairy Forager hovering so I'm thinking it just might be her home and I've a feeling Lupin is hoping for an invite for afternoon tea. Stencilling in the background and a die cut sentiment. We all have Fairies at the end of the garden so one for Ellie's Garden Party and Simon Say's Monday challenge Four Legged Friends.

Sharing the photo Margo 3 drew for me a few weeks ago, looks like weather plays a big part in her art, we've got a rainbow and rain, thunder and bright sunshine. It's apparently GG's house (what she calls me - Great Granny), impressed she's got perspective on the cars, mine a little two seater and GG's (yep, he's also GG) rather larger car. And if you look carefully by the shed out back the trailer he'd parked there when doing something else on the tractor, amazing what a young mind can take in. 

Snowflakes in August

Morning Peeps, thought it was time I ventured back to craft land and I'll admit it's only because of a timely prompt by Val with her Rudolph Days card so thought I had better get something made. 

It's just a simple snowflake wreath using Lavinia stamps for the wreath and little house from Inkylicious along with Versafine Clair inks. Sentiment from my own Christmas Season sentiments. The current CRAFT challenge is Christmas so am linking up therCe. And I thought this just might fit Creations in Pink as all inks were shades of pink and Farmquest Christmas. Just had a nudge from Greta to pop over to Christmas Kick-start challenge so had to oblige.

I got home from hospital early for 'good conduct' on the understanding I rested, I did/have and now wait to see how the treatment has worked. Holly is cheery, a very poorly chest as some stitches burst and too risky to anaethetise again, so daily bathing and tending, but eating and tail wagging so can ask for no more as we continue a day at a time.

Bootfull of blooms and Fairy magic

It's mid month inspiration time at We Love Stamping and Stamping Sensations where we are focusing on Birds, Bees and Flowers at SS and Flowers at WLS, with prizes from Personal Impressions and Lavinia.

Both makes from a few weeks ago, above using TH Stampers Anonymous French Garden, a stencilled base layer, berries from the same set as Daisies, a torn page from an old book sprayed with Oxides. The flowers stamped, coloured and cut out and popped into A&C boots and some faux grass. Lots of snippets so popping to the new challenge at the Playground. I don't have a photo of my snippets so ready for a spell on the naughty step.

What is probably my favourite Lavina Fairy Zemira, I say Fairy but she doesn't actually have wings. An inky background and distant fantasy town stencilled and masked sun. Zemira is releasing her Flutterbies accompanies by Jaylar and the scene built up with Bluebells, Leaf Spray, Fairy Buttercups and Vine Flourish. Four Seasons challenge theme is Anything Summer and that big sun suggests it's definitely Summer on my scene which follows on nicely for the Create a Scene theme at Cards 4 Galz.

As mentioned Saturday, due in hospital for a couple of days but that's at the back of my mind with Holly so poorly and dreading the vet this morning.

'B' for Bunny and Butterflies

Good morning, we have a new challenge at Allsorts and our theme is 'I spy something beginning with B' which has been chosen by Ellie. We have some lovely matching die and stamp sets to be won.

Above it's my current favourite bunny Mr Rabbit from TH/Stampers Anonymous onto Kraft card and envie, I'm on a mission to use it more often as I do like the look. A Gelli Plate background, stamped Mr Rabbit and coloured with Derwent Inktense, added some red dots to carry the colour of his jacket, some twine and matching envie and finito. Over at Little Red Wagon challenge they would like to see Kraft, so entering there.

One more above, this time 'B' for Butterfly using various colour Versafine Clair inks to try and achieve an ombre effect and a Visible Image stamp and sentiment.

I also have a share for Ellies new Garden Party 6, it's an Anniversary card made for Grandson Zachary and wife Faiths third Anniversary. The design was based on her love of Sunflowers, what I didn't realise until they called in last evening was that Sunflowers symbolise the third year of marriage. 

After the last Sunflower card using the new Lavinia Twilight Tea collection I vowed not to cut any more out, but I did! A masked an A&C heart, more hearts using an A&C stencil, a sentiment and the Sunflowers arranged in a partial wreath. I just saw the mood board for the new Beautiful Blossoms challenge on a team mates blog and thought this fitted perfectly.

From the Orient to the Serengeti

Morning Peeps updating an already scheduled post. Been a mixed and non to pleasant week, Holly had her surgery, not totally successful and may have given her only limited time, so a day at a time.  

So craft on the back burner at the moment, times like this I'm grateful I work ahead as it's time for our mid month inspirational post at Tag-Along (and ATC's) challenge where we are travelling the World for Pinky's Travel theme, along with the usual Anything Goes option.

My travels take me to Japan and Kenya, I've yet to get to the former, one day maybe. I crated my tag above in MCS using a recent release called ?? After arranging the various elements onto a base scene I printed out on Premium Pure Print 300gsm and cut the tag shape using a basic die. Some seam biding and twine to finish. Linking this up to The Outlawz no cards.

For my ATC I stencilled a background with bold colours to represent a Serengeti sunset which are absolutely amazing, then stamped the Animals, bunting and sentiment from Penny Black 40-194 Lets Go Wild (2013). To make the animals pop I heat embossed with detail black EP and made a little matching pocket for the ATC using Kraft card. Popping this to ATC's around the World and Simon Says' Wednesday (which I was so lucky to win recently - thank you) whose theme is Not a Card and finally Craft Rocket would like to see Animals.

I hope I have inspired you to pop over to the challenge blog and join in with us.

Dance like no one's watching

A new month means new challenges at We Love Stamping and Stamping Sensations. At WLS our seasonal theme of Flowers has been selected by Hilary and we welcome Personal Impressions offering a £25 store voucher to our lucky winner. Whilst at SS Carol has selected something equally seasonal with Birds, Bees and Butterflies which happen to feature on the Lavinia stamps as prizes.

For the above card I used Tim Holz French Garden, there is no indication of the type of flowers but to me they look like Peonies so I've gone with a traditional colour for their blooms. An inky background and leaves stamped roughly where I wanted to place the flowers which were stamped onto inked offcuts, cut out and paper pieced. The quote is my favourite from Penny Black and the stitching another TH set called simply Stitches. Finally an envelope to match. I don't have a photo of the offcuts but am hoping I can still pop to the new challenge over at the Snippets Playground, also Ellies Garden Party and new to me Glitz of Art Letters 'F' which of course if my Flowers,  finally Triple B, mine is Blooms.

A Lavinia make using Moss Flowers stamped into a circle, masked and some worker stamps in-between, flowers coloured with pencils, then Twila stamped in the centre and some of the Bees from Bumblehums. To use just part of a stamp place a piece of masking tape over the parts you don't want, ink, but don't forget to remove the tape before stamping....sometimes I still forget and ruin everything. The sentiment is another real oldie wood mounted from PB, I went searching to discover when it was made as I seem to have had it forever, was 2001, the one at the top is newer 2010. 

Festive Friday is celebrating National Honey Bee Day and would like at least three items from their list on entires, I have Flowers, yellow, black and Bees. Tic Tac Toe, my three elements are sentiment, summer and any colour and also Sunday Stamps with a colour palette, three required.

Margo who will be four in a few weeks and Penelope who is seven had their first Gymkhana last Sunday and at another today. Seems rather young to me, I must have been five or six before I started but times move on! We weren't sure how she would take to it, but her face says it all, only downside seemed to be when the judge gave the first rosette to her, she answered "that's not my favourite colour"!! Her Mum was mortified but doesn't think the Judge heard, lets hope not because she may well come up against here again.

Many thanks for your visits, always appreciated and for your kind words about Holly, I will update after her surgery.

Out in the meadow

Good morning, we have a new challenge at Allsorts and a theme of Animals as chosen by Helen. We have two prizes from Lavinia Stamps. 

The scene above is just outside the window (with a bit of artistic licence as we don't have a foal), the mare and foal grazing the paddock under the shade of a tree and some Ducks flying over. I uses Lavinia Horse and Foal, Tree of Hope, Tree Branch, Vine Set, Ducks and Orchard Grass. Elements inks used to build up the background and stencilled sun and rays and a matching envie. I would like to enter this at Crafty Animals challenge.

A masked and inked circle and flowers stamped using various Versafine inks with a Woodland Hare eyeing up the Butterfly. Flowers used are Woodland Fern, Bluebell, Foxglove and Wildflower. I'm hoping my Hare is considered appropriate for Crazy Critters challenge, if not please disregard.

It's also reveal day at the Card Chain Challenge, for once I've got the day right! My card went to my blog friend Greta in the USA, I received a beauty from fellow DT Hilary, photo below. 

I followed (loosely and the green looks rather intensified in the photo) the colour palette of Turquoise, Smoke and Olive and the window option. The focal stamp is Penny Black 40-675 Together, ink applied direct to stamp using my stamping platform and Ecoline brush pens and stamped several times to build the colour.

The garden and greenhouses are producing an abundance of produce so pickle making is well underway along with oodles of pasta sauce and ragout, make two varieties of that, one the Napoli way using San Marzano tomatoes and home made soffritto in preparation above and the bowl at back, the other the Napoli way using Super Roma tomatoes and no soffritto. I make lots of lasagne and cannelloni and freeze down for Winter and of course some get shipped out when the children visit.

Sweet mustard pickle, batch two of the week. There's loads of basil this year for the sauces and ragout, green going well, but the purple seems to be late and not ready for picking yet.

The cooking activity has kept me busy this week for which I've been grateful after the news about Holly which I mentioned yesterday, your kind words appreciated.