HELLO AGAIN!!

Just a little post to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about my blog, or all of you bloggers out there!
Am sorry that I haven't been on for so long, but ruddy "life" has been getting in the way. A few of you will know and understand, so enough said!
I have remembered to take piccies of some of the things I have been doing and once I can sort them out, I will put some on here ....  promise.
See you all soon...

Sultry Friday

NO, not me!!! The weather. After that massive storm we had on Wednesday afternoon and evening, I had hoped that the temperature would stay a little cooler for a bit longer. Mmmm, no such luck. Still, it's drying the washing, so saving on electricity... :)
I said that I would keep you up to date with the new bag and have taken a photo of as far as I have been able to get to. Ordered some "feet", along with some other bits and bobs and guess what is out of stock??? The ruddy feet! Until they come, I can't get on any further, so am a bit miffed.
The main part is made from canvas, the type you paint on, but before it has been treated for painting. Good and strong, stands up for itself and I think I can use a special spray to make it almost water proof. I will be making the lining from calico, pre washed and there will be the usual pockets for cards, phone and other little things. The trimming will be the fabric laid out in the second photo. Not one stitch used so far! Hopefully wont need many at all...

and the trim ...

and once the bag is made, I will attach a small corsage made up of little flowers like this one...

Well, that's it for now folks. Hope you are having a great school holidays! Take care...

Expensive Thursday

Had to spend some money this afternoon ... on a pair of shoes!! I have been trying, for ages, to find something I like at a reasonable price (for the sake of OH's pocket!), but no such luck. It isn't easy for me to find shoes that fit me anyway, so today we toddled off to the only shop we know that I could get a pair to fit and it worked!! OH nearly fainted away mind! Well, I paid up (with my plastic friend) and ordered another pair to see if they are okay for me too. Don't have to have them if I don't like them, nor if they don't fit!!! The two ladies were terrific and even stayed on after they shop had closed to make sure that I got at least one pair. Quite happy now... need a bag to go with them... hee, hee. Will make that though, so I do save money in a round-a-bout way.

Made this card last evening on the live craft

topper close up

The main card was cut with a Spellbinders die from a sheet of A3 plain white card. I embossed the edges and then brushed inks over the edges to tone with the topper. Gold mirri was used to mat onto the card and also for the die cut backing for the topper ... from stash. The papers and the topper are from a collection called "Bazoo" and I just love them. Decided not to use ribbon, but some of my own hand made cord. Border peel-offs from Pinfliar and the message is from a sheet of peel-offs from my stash. Very pastel in colour, shades and tones, but I quite like it. Will make a similar one, but smaller. This one is just under 8" square (approx. 19.5cms). Think a 6" square one would be better...
Right, that's me done for the day. Need to go and look after this cold!
Take care...

Another Miserable Monday!

After spending all of last week confined to barracks, I woke this morning to find myself getting lost in a rotten cold!!! Until this has gone, I will still not be allowed into my beloved T' Shed! Aaagggg!!!!!
Okay ... so what do you do when you are confined to barracks?? Well, I tried knitting and that wasn't what I wanted. Then I tried needle tatting and got a bit further with that, but still wasn't what I wanted. Next I decided to get the beads out and hey presto! spent my time, since Friday making bracelets and here they are.

Three of them are kits from Beaders Companion. The top one and the bottom two. Am so, so disappointed in the overall quality of these kits. The thread is too thick for the needles provided and it is hard and stiff; the plastic bicone beads are roughly finished, but the seed beads are okay. Would be hard for them not to be!
I ended up using my own "Nymo" thread which made the finished bracelets much more fluid and nicer to wear.
The bottom two are made using the two needle method and I would not recommend them for newbies to beading. The next to the bottom one also has 3D flowers added too. No indication on the packets as to level of knowledge/expertise required. The kits are an import from America under the name of "Darice".
Okay, rant over ... now some photos ...

This next one is from a pattern I bought some while ago. The "Tila" beads were bought from GJ Beads (hope I have remembered that properly!). The pattern says to use 10gms of the Tila beads, but I found that I used every one of them and to make sure that the bracelet fitted MY wrist, I added the split rings to the fastener. It is my favourite of them all and it feels really, really good on!

Righty ho ... off to see what else I can get going with. This means a rummage through the beading stash... such a pain ... :) :) :)
Hope you are all keeping well and having a better time than I am..:)
Until the next time ... take care ...

Miserable Monday.

Well, only 'cos the weather is! Rain, wind and cold ... not the middle of July that's for sure.

Can put this one on now, as the person it was made for has had her birthday.
The background image is from a Docraft cd, the little girl is a Morehead stamped image and the sentiment is from a Humphrey's set. Card is from my stash and the colouring was done with watercolours. There is a tiny bit of sparkle on it too.
Recipient said she liked it!

Insert edges cut with a Martha Stewart punch and the "flowers" were from one, or other, of my cds!
Hope you are all having a better day than I am, but that wouldn't take much!! :) :)
Am going to be "gentle crafting" for the rest of the day.
To everyone out there, do take care...

Look what I got!!

Aren't I a lucky, lucky girl (!) to have someone who thinks of me in this way???
Thank you Karen... xxx

Still the 15th

and getting hotter by the minute!! Nearly 30c in T' Shed and it's cooler here than outside! Whewwww....
Okay another couple. Let's see ....

Awww, aint he cute!!! The image is from Woodland Folk, as are the papers. The zig-zag card was bought from Lakeland many years ago. Main card is a piece of Centura pearl from Crafters Companion and any other bits and bobs are from the stash. Another from a Live Craft session ... you really should come along, it's great fun and productive too!

Hot, hot, hot Friday!!

It is just far too hot today for me, nearly 30c in T' Shed and that's cooler than outside! The weatherman says that tomorrow we can expect rain ... well I for one wont complain about it being cooler, but why can't we have a 50/50 day? Not too hot and not too rainy?? That would be a good one to report on!! :) :)
Haven't done much in the way of making cards as I haven't found out, yet, how to do more than one thing at once! I have been tatting and knitting "things" and making silk (real silk) paper flowers, so I haven't been idle, now have I?
A couple of not too interesting cards I have done in the past week though. Thought that I might as well put them on here for you all to laugh at!!

One of the first Christmas cards of this year! From the Snowman cd (Crafters Companion) along with some papers and card from the stash. Made on a Live Craft evening ... see the Crafters Companion web site and then onto their forum.

Wobbly Wednesday

Well, here I am again folks! Bit remiss of me lately, but once again, life has been getting in the way! I have been making and in the process of making things and one day I hope that they all get finished!!
Thought that I would show you one, or two cards I have done recently... nothing too special... not like some of you out there! Will be catching up with you as soon as I have done here...

For a lovely nephew and his wife. How come I'm old enough to have children and relatives who have been married for 20 years, or more????

For my nephew's eldest ... 19 this month!! Thought a bit of fun wouldn't go amiss!

This one is for the nephew's youngest ... 17 this month...
The "children" have their birthdays two days apart!!

Now, let me see.... the anniversary one was made using a backing paper printed from an MSC disc, as were the backing papers on the ones for the boys. All the characters are from Morehead stamps ... they are sooo gorgeous! Coloured in with water colours... loved having a play. The lasso was made from a tiny piece of paper "string"... usually leave this for weaving with!

Will try and not be too long before I come and visit again...
You all take care ... OKAY???    :)

Tired old Tuesday

I am sooo tired to day! Could be something to do with getting all the washing done yesterday; so what did I do this afternoon??? Stood and did the ironing! Now I am seriously paying for such a rash act. I always know what will happen, but someone has to do these jobs and OH just wouldn't get the creases in the right places, now would he? Had Wimbledon on whilst I was sweltering with the iron, so was "entertained". No cooking tonight, salad .. trying to be good... I did say trying!! :)

First Christmas card of this year... a slider. Card is from my stash, as are the papers, foiled card and embellishment. Was made during an evening with friends on a forum.
Am off to check the said forum out now, so, as ever, take care...

Monday, Monday so good to me ...

Oh, I wish!! Manged to get most of the washing done and dried. It's been a lovely afternoon here. Only just tried to rain a little while ago, so not too bad.
Thought that I would treat you all to another couple of my bags...

Can't say which is front, or back, as it doesn't really matter. It is made from hand dyed Aida and stitched with a variety of threads with a few beads for good measure. Organza ribbon runs down the sides and makes the handles. It is lined with a hand dyed cotton fabric to match.

Just a couple of piccies to show a little detail of some of the stitching.

This next bag is a very special one. Made from extra fine cotton and a variety of threads used. The designs were inspired by one of my favourite designers of all time, Emile Galle ... if you ever get the chance to see any of his work, then do go and see. He designed anything and everything ... wonderful, wonderful pieces he produced.

This side was inspired by one of his table lamps...

and this side was inspired by an insert in the foot of a bed he made...
There are only two stitches used throughout, blanket/button hole and chain stitch. It was done as a challenge.
I love making bags, but I make sure that they are always lined and have at least two pockets... one for a mobile phone and one large enough to take credit cards... they have to be useful, not just decorative!

Wednesday ...

Well, here we are again... only just Wednesday, but thought that I would post a couple of piccies for you.
The cards are for the twins...

We manged to see them yesterday and they are just gorgeous, delightful and could bring them home with me!
The pictures for the cards were taken from an MCS CD, Papercraft Library vol. 4 .... and all the card and paper were from my stash...
See you in a couple of days. Wont be on tomorrow as it is a kind of special day for me.
Whatever you do, enjoy and take care...

Busy Monday.

First thing that happened today was a visit to the dentist! I was not looking forward to it one bit as I was expecting two fillings! Ended up with non!!! One tooth was patched up and another was washed with fluoride... so got off lightly. Just hope I don't pay for it in a few months time.... mmmm..

I decided, about a week ago, to have a look through my yarn stash and the upshot was that I did a lot of sorting out. During the sorting, I chose some yarns that I thought would look good together and then set about knitting a handbag. Using multiple yarns and size 15mm needles it didn't take long at all. The next problem arose when I went to choose some fabric for the lining.. Now I have quite a large stash of yarns, but I have an even larger stash of fabrics, so instead of it taking me just a few minutes, well..... in the end I had to be really strict with myself and after telling myself off, a couple of times, I managed to choose the lining fabric. Got it all cut out, made a couple of pockets ... you know, for the phone and the credit cards :) , then came the fiddly bit of stitching the lining to the knitting! Well, of course I managed that, but the bag didn't look finished, so I made three flowers and then beaded the centres. I then crocheted a couple of clover leaves. Got them all stitched on and the result is this ...

The next photo shows the flowers and leaves a little closer...

and this shows where I've added a few beads to the pull tassel on the zip closer...

It's not a very big bag, only about 9 inches square.

I quite enjoyed making this and am seriously thinking about doing some more.... this way the stash will get smaller... and it would be lovely if I could sell them!!!!

Will be back again soon, but until then, take care...

P.S. Still can't catch up all you bloggers I'm following...... huge sorries!!!!

Helloooo again!

Well haven't I been remiss!!! Such an age since I was on last. Sorry about that, but every now and then, life sticks its ugly face in and I have to go with what is being dished out! I think, shhh, whispering this bit, that the "life" bit has gone for now! I sure as heck hope so... trouble is I have now so many things to catch up on.
I have been busy even so. Have made quite a few needle tatted items, done some crocheting and knitting too. No idle hands here, no matter what! Haven't had chance to take any photos of the things yet, still on the to do list!
Meanwhile, just to show you what I have got up to in the not too distant past, here are a few photos of some jewellery I made. Hope you enjoy!

I made the chain myself from split rings. The beads I bought from The Range, just because I liked them!

Some more beads from The Range and again, just because I liked them! Used some really nice blue cord and did the knotting technique on the necklace.

Little pearl beads and some copper coloured ones make this necklace.

Made from gold coloured beads with those gorgeous rose beads enclosed in the design. The rose beads came from The Range too!

I just want to thank a lovely lady for re-inspiring me to take up jewellery making again... so thanks Jane... you know who you are!

I also want to say a huge "SORRY" to everyone who's blogs I am following for not popping on lately. Please accept my apologies! Bet you have all been really busy too!

Will try and get back on more often now, so fingers crossed folks!
Bye for now and do take care...

Wet 'n Windy Wednesday

What a miserable day! Glad it's nearly over. Managed to make another card ... already. A special one for my big brother. He is 70 next month. 70!!! Can't believe it. I am a few years younger, I will tell you all!
Apart from the card making, I have resurrected the knitting needles and am making a jacket for myself... nothing like a challenge is there???
Well here is the 70th bd card...

The card is just plain white from the stash and was an A3. I covered it in a paper from a Papermania collection, all lemons... The topper is from a freebie set and is decoupaged. The lettering, in blue, is cut out from some glitter card stock with my Slice machine from the Noteworthy card and the green lettering is from some sticky backed glitter paper and cut the same as the rest. I have stuck a peel off sentiment across the bottom and a couple of peel off corners, in silver.

Just so you can see the decoupage!
Made the card so that my brother can't miss it!! It measures 12" x 6"...
Thanks for stopping by... :)
Take care...

Just read that lot through .... can see I am in a hurry eh? Should do a preview .... what????
:) :)

Sunday

Well here we all are again! Thanks to Mr.Blogland for putting my last post back on!! Wonder what went wrong???
Okay, so this is just a very quick visit. Have, at last!, finished the bd card I have making for a first bd.
Here it is...

Used Centural Pearl card for the base. Made my own backing paper by stamping some of the small images from the "Sweety" Morehead stamp set in a double line, using a Big 'n Juicy pad,cutting around, then scanning into a prog., I have and made an A4 sheet from it. Matted and layered it. The main image id from the same stamp set and coloured in using a mixture of Inktense pencils and ink from the stamp pad. The lettering and the number were cut out using my Slice machine. The letters were cut out from plain card and then painted using mica paints.
Hope they like it!!
Bye for now, am off to have dinner and then to chat, by SKYPE, to our nephew in Denver!!
Take care...

Naughty Thursday!

Oh my! Have I been naughty today, or what!! So what have I done that's soooo bad??? I have spent some pennies!!! NEEDED some beads, so went on Beaders Companion to, well, just have a look and do you know, before I knew it there were so many things which had dropped into my shopping basket!! Now I wonder how that happens???? :) :)  Haven't told OH how much, but did tell him of the great discounts I received!! Now all I need is some patience!
Apart from that, I haven't done much at all... apart from thinking that is. I have quite a few cards that I really should be making, but just don't seem to have the energy. Will have to find it from somewhere soon as there is a first birthday next week!!! Then there are cards for friends and family and ... oh, you get the idea!!!

This little box is made from silk dupion and embellished with water soluble machine embroidered fabrics. The tassels are made from string which has been machine stitched over using the zig-zag stitch on a very close setting!
Hope you have had a good day ... 'till next time ... take care...

Windy Wednesday

Well, today hasn't been too bad really. Had an appointment at the hospital this am and the consultant said that the test results for CVI aren't too bad at all and for the time being, I have nothing to worry about! That was a sticking point ... the "for the time being" bit! BUT for as long as it lasts, I am worry free-ish on that point. Would be nice if everything else was the same... :)
Haven't done a darned thing crafty at all today ... not yet!!! First things first. I am going to order a "few" beads and things to go with them before I go and begin to get dinner ready and then, because I feel awful, will stay indoors and get my crocheting and tatting on the go again.! Should be some more to show you all tomorrow.
Enjoy the rest of the day and take care...

Chilly Tuesday

Just thought I would come on and say "hello" to anyone out there who is watching!
Was going to do so much today, but as ever, the best laid plans ALWAYS go awry for me. S-i-L called round and I'm not complaining, but just as she was going a mutual friend turned up and stayed with me for over an hour! She has her own computer, but is too scared to use it, so when she wants to order something, she comes round to me! Always leaves me the money, but I do wish she would learn to do it herself!! Makes me feel mean saying that! Well, her visit scuppered me for the rest of the afternoon. Put me all out of kilter it did and the upshot is, I didn't get anything made...
Decided to show you all what I have been doing on an evening of late. Making my own embellishments, no less!!

Bits and bobs of tatting and crochet. Done some twisted tatted "ropes" and some edgings. A few tatted butterflies and some circles in different sizes. The white ones are cotton thread, so I am going to use some of my ink pads to colour them. The big and juicy pads should give some interesting results. Shall be making a few more flowers, but crocheted ones. I have this book which is just full to bursting with patterns for all types of flowers, leaves, fruits and veggies! I am going to be using some of these things on a few cards soon and others will be used on bags and the like...
Time for dinner now folks, so until the next time ...  do take care...

n

Just thought that I would catch up with the blogs I am following and now I am going to have to get a move on!
OH says it's time we ate.... mmmmm well, if he says so!
Before I go, another couple of cards from me and made today.

Nothing very exciting. Just matting and layering and a hand made rosette "flower" with hand cut leaves. All done from stash!

Cut this card from a Grand Nestabilitiy, the flowers were from a standard sized Nestability set and the leaves from a leaf set of Nestabilities. Organza ribbon and paper flowers from stash.
Hope you all have a good evening and until the next time ... take care...

Hello again!
Sorry I haven't been on for quite a while, but every now and then life steps up and gets in the way!! Don't you just hate it when that happens... Well, I had to do some waiting, but eventually I managed to get moving again and today I managed to make four cards, so am going to pop them all on here and nowhere else, for a change!

This is one made from a lovely fabric and all I have done to it, is added some machine stitching... I cut the window using a square Nestabillities and then drew around said square with a Sakura pen...

Same idea, just different colour way...

A simple challenge .... used a fancy cut edged card and the backing paper is from a pack "Woodland Folk", double sided papers and the embellishment is from the stash bucket!! Peel off "With Love"..

This one is for a special someone who has made our daughter very happy ... her partner...
Marriane Heritage frame used and embossed, highlighted with white pastels and fixed using Crafters Companions' "Spray and Shine". The "toppers" were made using peel offs and then coloured in using my Inktense pencils. The "sentiments" are black peel offs stuck onto a die cut Nestabillities shape using my Grand Calibur... A mixture of PVA and Pinfliar glue gel.

Hope to be back again on a more regular basis ... just hope "life" keeps out of the way!!
Until next time .... take care...