Fun and Funky cards

Well I was hoping that by today at least I was going to be 100% over this bloomin' cold BUT it has got it's teeth well and truly into me and I can't shake it off so my apologies for not getting around your blogs this week... I am hoping to catch up with everyone over the weekend :D
Not much creating going on here cos I really just can't be bothered but I thought I would pop in and share with you a few cards I did a little while ago just for fun and to fill up my card box... seeing as my memory doesn't stand up to the birthday test quite often... I like to have a little supply of standbys.

This one was made using Kate Hadfields Halloween downloads ( I know Halloween is well gone!!)but I think the characters are so much fun and I enjoyed thinking of different ways to use them :D The little bubble stickers were from one of my £1 shop finds and I even used some ribbon... which I almost never do on boys' cards.

The next card was created from papers and sentiment from Willow Design Stamps (Occasions cd)... along with the obligatory bling...lol

Another character from Kate Hadfields Halloween downloads for my final card... well black cats are supposed to be lucky aren't they... with the addition of some Cosmo Cricket velvet and twill ribbons :D

I think I'll nickname this handsome cat Buddy cos he seems to have acquired a little following and made himself a couple of cute friends... courtesy of Photofunia... boy I love that site...lol

Tiny things please tiny minds eh...rofl

Okay that's all folks... will hopefully be back after the weekend with a tutorial for you and some colourful creations made with my new alcohol inks...whoooohoooo Yes they did arrive but I haven't played with them yet (now you KNOW I'm sick don't ya!! lol)

Have a great weekend all

hugs

Chris xx

Christmas tag... (weekend taggers challenge)

Well I've been going to join in with the weekend taggers challenge for a while so I've succumbed this week. The lovely Kath has set this weeks tag challenge which is Red and Green. Well seeing as my favourite colour is red... how could I resist... I just had to make one :D
I used Ellie again from Cen's crafty bits... but this time just the outline printable so I could colour her in myself and colour a matching sledge which I filled with handcut snowballs :D

I love the fact that you can print out smaller images onto A5 or A6 paper so that they fit in with various projects such as this tag, atc's and inchies as well as cards. I also added my bling and ribbon on top of some red netting to give it a feel of luxury and I'm going to use this tag on one of DD's Christmas pressies :D Need to make lots more for DG's gifts too so think I had better get cracking...don't you :D

Have a fun day

hugs

Chris xx

Gothic arch challenge - sillhouettes (and some altered bits)

Well I was going to do all sorts of things... including some tutorials for you to check out this week... but the best laid plans often go out of the window for me...lol I developed a cold on Friday and it has blown my socks off... I have sneezed, coughed and spluttered my way through the last few days so as you can imagine it's not the best way to attempt any crafting. I gave up on the tissues and adopted a pack of quilted loo roll which has been my best buddy and never been far from my side and oh if that loo roll could speak what a good tale he would tell because believe me I am NOT a good patient and even whinge at myself...rofl.
I have had a little smooth with the rough though, through watching this years "I'm a celebrity get me out of here" I don't usually get really involved a lot with these tv programmes... choosing to watch them only now and again... but hey I am going to be tuning in to this series and waiting every evening for the next episode!! I caught the first episode by chance because I had forgotten it was starting and I am sooooooo glad I did because I haven't LAUGHED so hard and for so long in many a long month. I laughed so much that I almost wet my pants... WHY ANY sane person would put themselves through the ordeals of putting their hands on huge creepy crawlies or eating such unappealing morsels as eyeballs and kangaroo testicles is totally beyond me... urgghhhhhh with a capital U.... rofl Mind you as daft as THEY are... I guess I'm dafter for watching and most of it is seen from behind a pillow as I cringe and squirm ;-)
Anyway on to nicer things.... I finally managed to create my arch for this weeks Gothic arch challenge and as I have been in the mood to experiment lately I decided to watercolour the background and the paper for the edging and flowers. The black base card has a slight marble effect on it but unfortunately doesn't show up well on the photo. The silhouette is a printable from Cen's crafty bits.


Now then last week when I spent some crafty time with my pal Chriss I was itching to do some altered dominoes... 'specially since the prize I won last week from Karen's Christmas card challenge was stamps that fit so beautifully onto them. I had no alcohol inks... but I hate to be beaten so tried all sorts of inks ...drawing inks, printer inks, etc to try and get a similar effect :D ... nope it wasn't going to happen... BUT I had another electric light moment (need one of those symbols for my blog..lol) and decided to try my Sharpie pens because they are permanent to see what would happen.

Well after hours (and I mean hours!!) of colouring the dominoes and attempting to smudge the ink with the pads of my fingers... it worked a little :D Almost had no skin left on my fingers ... so I wouldn't recommend trying it..lol but I was happy enough with what I managed to do and went on to decorate this tin...

so I have now got something to put my tiny stamps in AND something pretty to look at too.

I will however NOT be attempting to recreate any of these project until I get some alcohol inks ( which by the way... I ordered today..rofl...naughty girl!!) Well a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do ;-D

Sorry it was such a l-o-n-g post... congrats if you are still awake :)

hugs

Chris xx

Cen's crafty bits...

is now up and running and what a treat you have in store... there are going to be lots of downloads in printable pdf form available to use in your crafting and you can get the newest downloads here now :D
I used one of the images from the Sillhouettes downloads to create a special card for my Mam's Birthday. I used digital papers and frame from Cen's stuff Victorian Memories kit which you can find here for my background and handcut elements.

Lots of paper sculpting and doodling again on this card with some of my favourite bling and gorgeous sticky ribbon that I bought many moons ago to add a feel of luxury. Well we've only got one Mam right :D

I hand drew the scalloped edge and punched holes because I don't have a waterfall punch... but where there's a will there's a way right :D

Now I have already introduced you to Ellie below on my 1st Christmas card so now I want you to meet Jo :D You can find these two cute characters over at Cen's crafty bits ready to download for printing... there is a coloured version and also one that you can colour yourself using your copic markers, pencils etc.

Here is my first Christmas card using Jo... I think he is so cute and like every little boy he loves his Christmas tree :DMore paper sculpting and bling with printed papers from Cen's stuff Victorian memories digital kit. This kit is one of my all time favourites... I just keep using it again and again and I just love doing hybrid creations.
I hope you will pop over and visit Ellie and Jo and one more thing before I go... if you haven't already... then you really need to pop over to The Papergirls blog and see the amazing entries in the altered cd challenge... they really are all stunning... and don't forget to vote for you favourite too :D

Have a great day

hugs

Chris xx

Willow sketchie challenge

Today's card is one I made for the first Willow sketchie challenge There will be a new challenge sketch every Thursday... I'm a bit late with this one as the new challenge will be up today but better late than never eh :D
I turned things around a bit from the sketch because I wanted to add a flower under my brad and I also used lace instead of ribbon but I think sketches always give you a head start in whatever you are creating so I love them.

The main image is from Crafty Individuals stamped in black and coloured with felt pens (cos I don't have any alcohol inks yet boo hoo) and the papers are a freebie from here...

the sentiment is a rubbon and finally I added it to my with my twisted wire.

Thanks for looking everyone and have a fab day.

hugs

Chris xx

Big art adventure challenge- chunky atc

I soooo enjoyed doing this challenge as I haven't painted so much since I was a kid... it's amazing how you don't really forget... just that the ability to do something lies dormant in you until you rediscover an interest. I am so inspired by Linda's paintings that I wanted to do something similar but I always manage to end up with something on the twee side...lol Maybe that's just part of my personality which comes out in what I create.
Anyway I am slightly impressed with myself that I managed to finish her... even though I re-painted her face so many times it's a wonder it doesn't stand off the block an inch on it's own... she had small eyes and big lips, then smaller lips and a nose, then big eyes big lips and no nose... honestly a face lift from a surgeon would've been quicker. I can draw cute faces but when it comes to filling them in with the paintbrush I was totally kak handed. The paint was going in every direction but the one I wanted...lol

I also found that what looks like delicate painting in reality.... looks quite splodgy when you take the photo to put on your blog... but then that could also be my eyesight :D I am glad that I have finished my piece and even managed to add a wee bit of bling...well I just had to didn't I.... but I think I need to keep on practicing to enjoy my art adventure more :D

have a great evening

hugs

Chris xx

OMG... I won...

the Christmas card challenge on Karen's blog.... SQUEEEEEL SQUEEEEEEL SQUEEEEEEEEL... whoooohooooo.... can you tell I'm excited!!! I NEVER win anything (now I'm not feeling sorry for myself..that's just how it goes :D) so my hair was standing on end when I got the e-mail to say my card was chosen last night and I am still on a HIGH this morning...can ya tell...rofl
I really loved making this card because apart from it being the first Christmas card I made... I love doing hybrid creations :D The papers are from Cen's stuff Forgotten digital kit which I printed out and this sweet little girly is "Ellie" ( created by June)... who will be available soon as downloads for cardmakers too :D

I did lots of hand doodling and paper curling...

added some lace and paper sculpted flowers and squirls...

and of course there had to be some bling :D

I will be doing a little tut on making a similar card soon... so do pop back for the details.

Thanks for looking and have a great day :D

hugs

Chris xx

Can you help?

After reading this post on Dan's blog about the Butterfly project... I just knew I wanted to be involved. The Holocaust Museum in Houston is planning a major exhibition in Spring 2012, to commemorate the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust.
They will be creating a display of 1.5 million butterflies donated by crafters like ourselves which are sent to the museum. There are more details on Dan's blog and free butterfly templates to download so I hope you will pop over to find out all about this worthy cause. I have used the templates to do two butterflies to begin with but I will definately be doing more.

This cause really touches my heart and I am going to be more than grateful to be able to take a small part in creating something beautiful to remember those children by.

hugs

Chris xx

Papergirls Altered Cd challenge

Just a quickie today as this is DG weekend to stay with me and much as I love my blog... I gotta tell you I love him more...lol This is my example for the little challenge going on over at The Papergirls blog For more info pop over and see what it's all about and don't forget there is a prize of some fab stamps too.
I took this photo of DG ages and ages ago when I had my other blog... but it always makes me laugh and I have been looking for an excuse to create something with it. He was trying to teach me how to curl my tongue... but it is something I definately can't do no matter how hard I try... and believe me I did try... to the point that my tongue ended up pretty sore.. the things you do for kids eh :D He was well impressed that he could do it and I couldn't but I seem to remember someone leaving me a comment the first time I showed this photo about the ability to curl your tongue being hereditary... who'd have thought it eh!!
Have a fab weekend everyone :D
hugs
Chris xx

Big Art Adventure challenge-altered box file

This weeks challenge over at Rosie and Linda's Big Art Adventure was to alter a box file. Mine is just A5 size... the A4 just seems so large a space to fill... and besides I didn't have one so easy choice :D Excuse the pants photos... I really do need to get a tripod cos for some reason lately every time I get hold of my camera I get the cobbly wobbles and shake like a good'un. A 'proper' photographer I will NEVER be... but you get the idea eh :D

Paper is Papermania and I love it cos it's all flowery and summery and makes me feel better about the horrible weather... mind you was glad it rained this morning... got me out of doing a boot sale...lol Really need to de-clutter but will just have to fight my way through the junk for another week... ;-0

It's not difficult for anyone who knows me to see that I am addicted to bling... so what better goodies to put in my box... won't lose it now will I. I love chipboard letters too and I am definitely going to be using up some in the next few weeks... I've decided that all these things in my craft stash that I buy and then just look at are taking up too much space storing them and that I'm being silly hoarding it... what for I ask myself!!! Crafters we're a funny breed altogether if you ask me.

Wonder what you're guilty hoarding pleasure is... do tell...lol

Happy Crafting

hugs

Chris xx

Artygirlz challenge #59 and Big Art Adventure challenge catch up.

I began this project for last weeks Big Art Adventure challenge to make a 3d house but didn't manage to complete it on time with Dad being in hospital and everything but the Artygirlz challenge this week gave me an extra push to complete it :D This weeks Artygirls challenge is to include a hand drawn element in your project ... so I combined the two challenges (hope you girls don't mind) to come up with my little fairy house :D

This side of my house has lots of my favourite things... bling, flowers, pink paper and chipboard :D
The papers I used are all from Willow Designs Occasions Cd ....

and these are two of my favourite stamps... the 'for you fairy' and cute little doggy friend (sorry I forgot his name...lol) also from Willow designs :D Aren't they just scrummy!! The other side fits in with the Artygirlz hand drawn element :D I decorated it with more papers from the same Occasions CD but I drew some curtains, window boxes and a door on the pink dotty paper before cutting them out and sticking them on and then sketching in the windows and flowers... loads of fun ;-)

I am just so happy with every little corner of my little house and I even added some bling fairy lights... imagination overload happenin' right now...lol

Had to eat lots of chocolate last night while I was finishing my little project as I got together with my pal Chriss for a crafty get together... surprising how company and chocolate seem to give my crafting a push in the right direction.... 'specially if the air is sprinkled with a fair amount of laughter. Not quite so happy today when I look at my 'Nanna' arms... you know the type... underneath hangs like bat wings and the rest looks like curdled custard...rofl... BUT can't blame anyone but myself, lack of exercise and a bad diet will do it every time!! A long way from looking like a pretty little fairy... those days are well gone... but I guess soon I will manage to take the part of Grandma in Little red riding hood... eeeeeerm... oooooh what big teeth you have Grandma... all the better to EAT you with my dear.... ha ha ha

have a great evening :)

hugs

Chris xx

We're Famous....

... well ALMOST...lol Check this out... Becks has got DD tattooed over his six pack and has her photo on his mobile too :D
Posh thinks my layout of DG from Halloween just totally rocks!!

and ME I've got one of my photos on the front cover of VOGUE ;-0

What more can a girl ask!!!

Okay now I know you're jealous...rofl... so I am going to share with you how this miracle happened... check out Photofunia and make all your dreams come true and then share your dreams with me so I can see how famous you've become too.

Back with some crafting soon :D

hugs

Chris xx

Altered wooden photo holders (Family)

These wooden photo holders were from a children's paint it yourself craft kit that I got from my favourite shop...yes you guessed it... the £ shop lol. I didn't want to just paint them though I had other ideas in mind.

I love the new Anita's Christmas papers and thought if I covered one side of the photo holders completely with this design...

and used some to cover the chipboard on the other side... I could then give them to someone as a Christmas gift :D

I think they will look fab holding some cherished photographs. I used matt poster paint as the base as I don't particularly like shiny paint and it worked a treat.

Okay another little challenge for you today... and these stamps by Tanda stamps are up for grabs at the Papergirls blog ...so if you fancy adding these lovelies to your stash then pop over to see what the challenge is all about. You have until the 10th November to join in :D


Oh nearly forgot... Dad is coming out of hospital today... everything went wonderfully with his op this time. He is in fine spirits and looking really well and hopefully will be pain free for the first time in a long time. So thank you for all your good wishes xxxxxx

Be back soon

hugs

Chris xx

Artygirlz challenge #58 - Fabric

Well due to my hectic week this week here is another ' I made it earlier project ' but it fits in nicely for this weeks Artygirlz challenge which is to use fabric. You may recognise the fabric as being the same as the one I used to create this weeks arch too... I just sooo love the colours I needed to make more than one thing with it. So hope you like my 'He loves me... He loves me not' little house :D

More ribbon used on this one.. love the texture of it and these letters that slide onto it (meant to decorate a watch strap...one of my £shop finds).

A gorgeous piece of lace that my pal Chriss shared with me... took some using though because I could hardly bare to cut it never mind stick it down it is so beautiful.

Lots of bling (getting withdrawal symptoms because I haven't used any in a while) created my little ladies question mark over the image from Art-e-zine was printed on fabric too.

I finished up with the hand written words... and I'm sure whoever she is dreaming about loves her don't you :D

Now then... if like myself you haven't even begun to start making your Christmas cards then what you probably need is a little incentive to get started... well I popped over to Karen's blog to find these gorgeous lovelies up for grabs. She has a little Christmas card challenge going on so if you fancy getting your hands on these stamps... then pop over and check out what it's all about :D Thanks for looking and hope you all have a fab weekend

hugs

Chris xx