A touch of romance

Morning Peeps, our new theme at Allsorts has been chosen by Lolo and is ''All about Hearts' just in time for Valentines Day. February come from WOWVOW, Craft Stash, AALL and Create and Ruth Hamilton Design, you can find a photo of all those up for grabs on the challenge blog.

I pretty simple card at the top using AALL and Create Fragile Fragments stamped in black Clair and some of the hearts stamped a second time, coloured and decoupaged and words added from Power of the Word, a set I use over and again so much so I keep a bag of the words stamped and cut out ready in different colours. All the 'add on's' were offcuts so I figure I should pop over to the Snippets Playground with this one.

I've made a second one using Ruth's Tulips on a die cut heart, a background using A&C Patches stamped with Versafine Clair Tulip and a sentiment from my Moments stamp set.

Thought I would share the view which I always intend catching on my phone camera but am usually too slow, yesterday I was quick enough. There are four steps up from the conservatory which provides a perfect viewing platform every time they hear us come through the gates. Once they know we are safely into the grounds they rush to the front door to greet us. Right to left, baby Rosa, Holly and Daisy, Poppy the Terrier invariably gets lost in the rush although first through the door when we open it.

Happy weekend all and my thanks as always for your kind visits.

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

A Summer Sunflower

Morning everyone, time for another challenge at Allsorts and this week I am your host with the theme of Summer. This weeks winners will receive a set of Stampendous summer themed stamp set available from Oakwood and three images from Ruth Hamilton Design. 

It's going to be another short post as it remains slow going here, been in bed on and off all week, a colon infection to add to everything else. But my new MS nurse seems very good and scheduled visits from a physio plus an ultrasound - at home, I had no idea that was possible. More help from her in one day than the GP in several weeks, he remains impervious and has failed miserably to offer any support. 

Above AALL and Create Friendship Florals onto an Oxide background, some stencil work and A&C script stamped and embossed with detail copper EP and little birdies stamped onto a label.

My second card uses Ruth's new St Johns Wort, printed onto vellum and coloured on the reverse with Distress Markers placed around an oval with one of my own stamps in the aperture.

Have a lovely weekend.

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

Summer Flowers

Morning everyone, another scheduled post as we are still away on our travels, this weekend we are in Istanbul. It time for another Allsorts challenge as well as our mid month inspirational posts at We Love Stamping and Stamping Sensations where Lynn is kindly doing the posts for me, the themes are A/G with an option of Roses and Masculine. 

At Allsorts our host is Dena with the theme of 'Summer Flowers'. This weeks prizes are a Lisa Horton floral stamp set and three images from Ruth Hamilton Design.

I eventually tracked down this set from Lisa Horton, it's an embossing folder, die and seven layering stencils which sold out almost immediately on Create and Craft so had to wait for the stores to get stock. The system is really clever and all that was necessary after creating the bouquet of flowers was a strip of DP, some raffia and a die cut sentiment.

My second card uses Ruth's Double Flowered Camelia. I was having great problems with my new printer and presumably the HP ink as the lines of the image kept bleeding, I only use watercolours or sparkle pens and never had an issue before (not being a colourist I've never bothered with alcohol markers). Then one of my teamies suggested vellum, so I printed onto that and it stayed wet long enough to add detail clear EP to get a decent line. I then coloured with Distress Markers and reasonably happy how things turned out. I finished the card with one of my own Believe in your Dreams stamps (re-release has been held back until after the Christmas ones next month).

Above my We Love Stamping share, it used the same Rose as my card at the beginning of the challenge but used in a totally different way. I inked the stamp with distress markers and stamped onto the card (using a stamp platform) left the card and stamp in place and spritzed the image with water and left the ink to beed. I then re-inked the stamp with Versafine Clair and stamped to create an outline, some flicks of watery ink, sequins and another of my own sentiments.

Two shares for Stamping Sensations, the first using AALL and Create Woodpeckers from Follow Your Own Path, stencilling and washi tape and a matching envie.

The one below was a recent make for Create and Craft TV using a TRR scene in the background and stamps with coordinating dies from Oakwood Garden Memories. The poetry a computer download.

Thanks for your visits and I will see you all in a week or so when we are home.

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

Dance, sing love

Morning Peeps, Saturday again and this weeks Allsorts theme as selected by Mervi is 'Feminine'. Our prizes of Gemini dies and digital images come from Craft Stash and Ruth Hamilton Design. And further down a few of this weeks Two Red Robin creations.

Above I have used AALL and Create Blooming Field and coordinating die, stamped, coloured with Derwent Inktense pencils and cut then placed onto a background with a few splatters and my all time favourite Penny Black sentiment Dance, Sing, Love.

My second share used Ruth's  Primula printed, coloured, cut out and Glossy Accents added to the flowers placed onto a background with watery Twisted Citron Oxide and some randon scrip stamping.

Above Phoenix the Fox in a scene built up with various images/dies from Cottonwood Clearing (all also available individually). This is totally different crafting to what I normally do, I've always been a stamper and love it and with a penchant for scene building and dimension, often stamping flowers and elements a second time to decoupage. So the Two Red Robin range plays right into my hands.

Moving onto these two, we all know I don't do cute, but when these little chaps from the Just in Case range landed on my desk I had to have a play. 

A note regarding the discount code BRENDA10, one or two told me they had issues using it on the website, seems there was a glitch in the system but it's sorted and working OK now.

Have a good weekend, thanks for your visits and hope to see you at Allsorts this week.

  

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

Icy cool together

Morning Peeps, this weeks Allsorts challenge with run for two weeks to take us over the Christmas holiday period, Lorraine is our host with the theme of 'Anything Winter'. Ruth Hamilton Design is offering one winner three images from her store and there is also a rather pretty Tonic wreath builder die set.

Today is also mid month inspiration day at We Love Stamping and Stamping Sensations as well as some shares for this weeks Craft Store TV shows for Oakwood Archer so it's a bit of a photo heavy post. I would normally day grab a coffee, but as it's almost Christmas maybe something a bit stronger 🍾

My top card is for eldest Grandson and partner, he's loved Penguin's since he was little so when I saw this new release from AALL and Create it was a must have. All the Penguins were stamped and cut out, a little colouring to bring them to life then arranged onto a background with liberal helpings of snow glitter.

Moving onto my Stamping Sensations share which uses several Fairy Hugs stamps, for those of you new to the company they are available from Julia here in the UK and in the States here. An Oxide background, Olivia sitting on a toadstool keeping an eye on her Fairy House......maybe she is expecting visitors? And I love the Fairy sentiment, after all, don't we all have Fairies at the end of the garden, I know I do!

Also a couple of my shares for the Oakwood Archer two day special on Hochanda/The Craft Store on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th, there's also a further 'Saver' show on 21st. It's fair to say I've been kept pretty busy the last week or so as packages land on the doorstep with increasing regularity and always contain a wonderful collection of goodies.

Another for Allsorts using Ruth's Snowdrops which I coated with masking fluid after printing to enable me to add the wash of green watercolour around it. The snowdrops left uncoloured apart from the leaves and some crystal glitter added to the flowers. Some subtle background stamping and stencilling, washi tape and a little birdie a la Tracy Evans.

Last but by no means least my WLS share which is semi CAS I think, using an old wood mounted Penny Black Poppy stamp masked out to add ink and then the blooms left uncoloured.

Have a lovely weekend and wonderful Christmas, my thanks for your support during 2021 which has been a difficult year Worldwide and most importantly stay safe.

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

A Merry Christmas wreath

Morning Peeps another week on and another Allsorts challenge where Lynn would like us to include a die on our work. The prize very fittingly is a die from Tattered Lace and also a second prize of three images from Ruth Hamilton Design. 

My share at the top uses Fairy Hugs stamps, I must thank Julia Watts for the invitation to design for the American company and these are my first shares, some Christmas tags which will be tucked into challenge prizes this weekend and also a Christmas wreath. Fairy Hugs stamps are available from Julia in the UK here and in the States direct from the company here.

Although Fairy Hugs makes lots of Fairy and Fantasy stamps my first two are seasonal makes, the Fairies will be along in due course 🧚‍♀️ The wreath was stamped with a mixture of Versafine Clair inks, a matching envie and a Tattered Lace die cut sentiment.

I have used Ruth Sunflowers again, this time placing them focally in an arrangement of die cut square frames, a little stencilling and some more of the blooms coloured, cut out and added to the corner of the frame. 

And below the tags I referred to earlier, they were stamped on die cut tags sprayed with Oxides and some stencilled stars.

I do hope you will join us this week. Many thanks for your visits today and keep warm, it's perishing here in the Fens.

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

A frosty Winters day

Morning Peeps at Allsorts I am your host yet again and it's a simple theme of 'Use a hand stamped or digital image', it's the final theme Kath had chosen before she died in August. Our prize this week is two pretty Bee Crafty border stamps and a second prize from Ruth Hamilton Design of three images of the winners choice. I also have a few of of my samples for todays Oakwood Archer shows at 11am on The Craft Store.

Two cards, the first using Lavinia stamps creating a Winter scene with the Hares, Toadstools with Tree of Hope and Tree of Courage plus some branches and berries. Looking at that moon it looks like a chilly Winters day for those little fellows, not dissimilar to what can be seen from the kitchen window in the the top paddock the last few days. And a matching evenie, I must thank Hilary for getting me into doing this, the cards I have received from her always have the insert and envelope to match and it's encouraged me to do the same.

This one using Ruth's beautiful Sunflowers which I reduced in size and duplicated to crate a border, coloured with pencils and arranged on a die cue panel and coordinating ribbon. Finished with a sentiment from my own set Believe in your Dreams.

My Oakwood shares,

Scarily no stamping other than the sentiment which is from my own Believe in your Dream stamp set. The flowers were made up from Full Bloom dies set cut from a Gelli Plate sheet from which I also drew and cut out a vase, then used jewellery wire twisted to make the stems. And the one below a Christmas wreath built up with the Star stamp set using various blue Versafine Clair colours, Star Edger dies and some chunky glitter accents.

Have a good weekend and as always, thanks so much for your visits.

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

Foxy on the prowl and a Winter Butterfly

Morning Peeps, it's Saturday so a new challenge at Allsorts where Wendy is thinking all about Christmas. Our prize is a collection of seasonal ribbons and glitter and three images from Ruth Hamilton Design.  

To create this one I used several Lavinia worker stamps to create a partial wreath, stamped Lavinia Trees and Fox into the wreath, a masked sun, trees and shading and a Christmas sentiment which I think just might be from Inkylicious. I also made an envelope to match.

My second card is very much hot off the press as Ruth only finished this image yesterday so my card is a bit of a rushed one but I wanted to be able to show you her beautiful Winter Butterfly. On the Allsorts challenge blog I have also added the photos of Ruth's creation which inspired the image.

Have a good weekend and may thanks as always for popping in to take a peek.

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

One for the Boys

Morning Peeps at  Allsorts  this week Tracy has the theme of 'From Boys to Men' and we have two Woodware stamps from Craft Stash as well as a second prize from Ruth Hamilton Design of three images from her store.

More inky fun and lots of stamps at play in my card above, Lavinia, Stampscapes, Inkylicious and even one from Clarity. An Oxide background, the scene built up with Versafine Clair in various colours and an envie to match.

My second card uses Ruth's new Scarecrow. A Pan Pastel background, stamps from Lavinia, and Card-i-o, the scarecrow coloured and his hat, boots and birdie printed off a second time to decoupage. In hindsight his boots defo need to be a deeper green because Hunter's they most certainly aren't and any self respecting Scarecrow wouldn't wear anything else!

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

A Vintage twist and an awesome cobweb!

Morning Peeps, time for this weeks Allsorts challenge where Mervi would like to see 'Anything Goes with a Vintage option'. Ruth Hamilton Design is offering three images from her store and there is also a lovely Indigo Blu stamp up for grabs.

Two cards above using the same Poinsettia stamp, an inky background using Tea Dye Oxide spray, stamped the image onto card coloured with Oxides and Mica Spray, cut out and paper pieced, some lace to one and a seam binding bow to the other.  This was a card for The Craft Store TV.

Not totally sure this one fits the Vintage theme so I will dedicate this one to the Anything Goes option. Oxides for the background, some stamping using the same colour inks and worker stamps, a sentiment from my own stamp set and Irises from our sponsor Ruth. I printed the Iris's onto a sheet of card which I coloured with the same colour Oxides, cut them out and placed into a couple of die cut circles. As many know I don't enter challenges, dodgy eyes and linking issues, but it was suggested the above card would fit the 5th Birthday challenge of The Flower Challenge which asks for flowers and shapes, so Irises and circles seem to be apropriate.

Had to share these fabulous cobwebs which were laced along the posts around the decking leading from one of the French Windows at the back of the house. It was a misty morning which lent itself to showcasing the spiders intricate workings.

 

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.

Essence of Nature

Morning Peeps at  Allsorts  this week Ellie has chosen the theme of 'Nature with an A / G option. Chocolate Baroque and Ruth Hamilton Design are our sponsors. 

Can I also remind you that the current theme of Fashion Sense is open for entries at River of Creativity, it's a pretty new challenge which welcomes all nature of crafts and aims to push us a little to test our skills and try out those techniques we have been wanting to have a go at for ages. Each month entries are selected for recognition in the 'Stand Out' features.

Both my shares have a distinct Spring feel to them, although that wasn't my particular intention so I can only guess my thoughts must be veering in that direction, such has been the lack of any real Summer here in the UK. A Craft Store TV make using CB Orchard Design a Tree, one of the trees stamped several times to gain a sense of distance, built up the background with DI's and Pan Pastels and stamped the Primulas from  Glorious Spring  along the foreground.

My second one uses Ruth's Clematis Montana  coloured, cut out and placed around a die cut frame into which I stamped one of my inspiration quotes from Life is so much better . I added some 'splats' around the frame and some Swarovski crystals in the corners. 

Have a good weekend everyone and thanks as always for your kind visits and words of inspiration.

Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog.