Spot the Difference

Yesterday was a real fun day at Stampalot with classes all day and when the girls knew I'd got into this blogging lark wanted to be part of the action so not wishing to disappoint I took some piccies to share. However, it seems there was a Chav lurking ........ ooooops, did I say Chav ........ sorry Andy Chad, yes that's right isn't it, didn't see any trackie bottoms or fake bling so must be Chad ?

In the line up: Lisa, Anne (holding up what they all created yesterday using Penny Black stamps with brill results), Linda, Carol, Terri and Helen.


Now if you look closely you will see our lurking Chad in one of the piccies ........ no prizes or candy for spotting Sir Stampalot himself I'm afraid ....... but he'd been trying to get into the classroom all day - well when Grace and Gina come to class so do their lovely home made cakes.

It was suggested I add a big "WANTED" heading to this third picture - the terrible twins and purveyors of treats ........ actually not sure if they are twins or just sisters but they are so alike and guaranteed to add a 'spark' to class ........ they are both awesome cooks and bring some real yummy goodies along, which is why our Chad is always so keen to get in on the action. Naturally I always check beforehand to see if the girls are booked into classes so I know how much lunch to take !!

Thanks Andy and Janice and all the girls for another fun day.

Allsorts Challenge 5

What a great week we have had at Allsorts this week, a huge number of entries so thanks so much to all who took part and congrats the the winner of the Pink and White challenge.

This weeks theme has been chose by Gro who would like you to use triangles on your project, a little bit different you will all agree and should get your creative juices flowing.

For my DT card I have used Magenta 29110R - Floral Background which I stamped and embossed three times using versafine black and detail clear powder. I cut out the centre sections from two of the images, cut two into quarters and two in half, giving me different sized triangles. I have used just two colours of Sakura pens and coloured alternate triangles in a single colour, lightly inked the edges to give a shadow effect, and reassembled four of the smaller pieces onto each section of the main image and placed three of larger sections down the side.

Gems have been added to the centres of the flowers and I made up a stick pin in coordinating colours and tied with ribbon.

Acetate flowers

I have created this one for Stampalot using the nesite frames Andy asked me to try out a couple of weeks ago ........ sorry Andy, been a bit slow here I know. Anyway I do really like this frame - there are two in each set and a couple of flowers as well. I must at this point, put my hands up and confess to a degree of plagiarism today ........ trouble is I've done too much blog hoping with all this resting up and now have an abundance of pent up inspiration to try out, but I do try to put the ideas into my own context and give credit where it's due.

The frame is cut on the cuttlebug using My Minds Eye DP's ........ in case you didn't realise, I do so love these papers and even have a class coming up at Stampalot next month based around them (will be sharing some of the samples just as soon as the new terms dates are published later this month).

All of the flowers are cut on the Cricut from the same DP which is double sided plus acetate. I have edged the acetate flowers with gold Krylon and each flower has one DP layer and two acetate. I have also placed a layer of acetate into the frame over the stems/leaves which are stamped from Hero CL338 and laid onto bazzil. The acetate flowers are the first of my 'borrowed' ideas which I saw on the blog of a lady called Enfys. The second 'borrowing' is from my good blog buddy Jules ........ I did ask if I could pinch this one which is her fab idea of cutting away part of the edge to give this pretty edge. Apparently, according to Jules this punch even has a name - Threaded Water, so I must remember this in future and not just call it "my new Fiskars punch" - not a lot of help if you want to track it down to buy is it ? As most things in my little world need gems, I have added some swarovski ones down the side.

Stamp Addicts Retreat

This weekend is Stamp Addicts very first retreat and I know Sarah and Vicky are really excited about it.

There are forty lucky crafters attending and judging by all the goodies that were being prepared when I went to the shop last week, everyone is in for a real fun weekend.

I was asked to create some cards for the retreat using JudiKins stamps and am sharing a few of them here.

I hope you all have a great time and look forward to hearing all about it.

Inspirational Card Sketchers 20

This week ICS have a fab sketch, don't know why but this morning I woke up thinking brown and turquoise ........ sad I know, dreaming craft, but I know for a fact that I'm not alone here, so of course this was the basis for my card.

DP's are K&Co and the image one I've had for years from Hampton Arts DF4513 - it's called 'Fan's hat' so figure this is Fanny wearing it ? The image is stamped in versamark and embossed with detail copper onto a Glimmer Misted background of ........ you've guessed, turquoise and brown - well actually creme da chocolate if we are being exact. I added a piece of lace an a flower in Fanny's hat.

Awards again

Goodness what a week it's turning out to be, yet another award this time from Lauren, thank you so much for all your support and kind words - please check out her blog for some great artwork and also to see her beautiful dogs. I can't thank all my blogging buddies enough for all their wonderful support this week, it's really helped make me feel better.

Dragonsdream TIO 7

Dragonsdream TIO challenge this week is "your interpretation of - Treasure". Now I'll be honest and say I thought what the devil can I do for this, then I stepped outside the box and it came to me ........ what do I treasure ....... well apart from the obvious, family, pets and the like for me it has to be nature.

As a child my Dad taught me that nature was something to be appreciated from the smallest wild animal to the towering oaks, a value he held all his life and right up till his death at Christmas. As a child I spent hours with him wandering the hedgerows and doing simple things like picking a bunch of cowslips. That enjoyment has never left me and I have tried to instill the same values in my children, although I have to confess modern life takes it's toll and sadly such activities are less prevalent nowadays. But to be fair, most of them garden and grow veggies and enjoy speding time in the Countryside and have animals.

I never fail to be astounded by natures abilities of regrowth and regeneration, all the things it's so easy to take for granted because they are always there. So my tag, which on reflection is probably totally OTT, encompasses just a small element of the vibrant colours, fauna and animals that are all around us if we take time to look. I have used so many stamps and materials that for once I am not going to list them, otherwise you will still be reading this post next week.