DISTRESSED SKIES

Sounds really depressing doesn't it? Distressed Skies, but it's great fun really.

I caught up with Lindsay Mason at Cardcraft UK, Lancaster yesterday and she showed me the technique to make distressed skies. I've had a go in the past with varying results but apparently it's all down to the cardstock.

The 2 shown above have come out with different effects mainly due to the card base. A bit of a coating on cream card works best. I have all the current Distress ink pads so have had fun again. The gorgeous tree stamp is one of Lindsays latest designs and works so well for this scene. Once I have mastered this technique a bit more, I think I'll have a go at a full size Xmas card!

PHALAENOPSIS

I am hooked on Phalaenopsis.

'What?' I can hear some say and just for you - orchids.

It all started with a mothers day present of one from my son and has steadily grown to a collection of 7!!

Lovely Bill, a neighbour, is a gardener by trade and although retired now and in his 80s, still keeps his hand in. He is no orchid expert but gathers his information from the professionals when he visits the shows. I am lucky to have been taught by him and now know how to repot them, when to cut the flower stem, how and when to feed and water them and how to keep them happy. So far so good - but - I am going away for 3 weeks next week so will have to accommodate them in the van because they will die if left - home alone! Trouble is, they don't really like too much change either, so a trip down south might not be for them. Oh! what a problem.

Anyway, have a look at them and see if you like them too.

A FEW MORE ATCs

Just a few ATCs I've made over the last week or two.

Check out my Flickr for more. Thanks.

B for BIRD

Must have been on a roll yesterday because I made a couple of ATCs too.

This one is inspired by an article in the August Craft Stamper magazine called 'Alter That!' The challenge was to alter a clock but Gail Milburn, the designer, also made a tag which I think is fab. It looks a bit Tim Holtzy and that's what caught my eye.

I used grey card for the base which I stamped swirls on with Ranger Archival ink in black. I then used some worn lipstick distress ink down one side. I gathered some black and white tartan ribbon and roughly sewed it to keep the gathers which I stuck to the bottom edge of the card. I have some sticky webbing which I struggled to fray before adding that to the card behind a chipboard letter B. Both the bird and crown are acrylic stamps which I have stamped, blended and added to the card with 3D foam.

It's different anyway!

OFF TO THE ALLOTMENT!

No not me I'm afraid. I should have given some time to my son and daughter-in-law's allotment this year, especially as they have had so much on these past few months. But, alas, my shoulder won't even let me do my own garden. I will be so glad to get it sorted but goodness knows when that will happen.

Anyway, this gorgeous Sarah Kay stamp just spoke pink and brown to me for some strange reason, probably because those colours are the only matching copic caio pens I have - at the moment! - and I just so wanted to have a go with them. I used a peachy one and a brown one on the trousers and tried to blend them a bit with the clear blending pen. Didn't have a clue what I was doing, but bits went grey just where it looks ok. I was amazed.

I chose the papers from Papermania Simply Elegant. I just love these papers and will definitely have more once they are all used. Some flowers and leaves from my recent Prima purchase and job done.

My dad was an artist, amongst other amazing things, but was always disappointed that I couldn't draw or paint. I can wallpaper and paint almost as good as him though. I think he would reckon I have improved a bit, at least on this card anyway.

BUDDING CRAFTERS

There may be some competition in the making.

My 2 step grandchildren appear to have gotten the bug. Some time ago, my eldest, Natasha, took one of my ATCs but never sent one back in return. Having reminded her by sending more, I received 3 in return but her little sister, Jenna, promptly claimed one of them - are you following this?

To cut a long story short, Nat has now sent me 6 and Jen Jen has sent 2.

I've photographed some of them and you can see that competition is on the horizon, particularly as Jen is only 6yrs old and would not let her mum help her, I think her star and flower cards are gorgeous. Nat is 12 soon and has been crafting for a while now. She even joined in the effort last year to make Xmas cards for the troops abroad. Both her dad and step dad have only recently left the army after nearly 25 years service each. Truly a heart-felt effort on her part.

So folks, watch this space. I had better get more practice in myself!!

PRIMA FLOWERS

Like many crafters, I love Prima flowers. However, they are really expensive.

I searched Ebay many moons ago and found a supplier who sells little packets of flowers at reasonable prices and, if you spend £10 even the postage is free. Ebay, being what it is, has become so expensive for many of these 'small' suppliers, that this particular supplier has now decided to go it alone.

I have contacted her and asked permission to let you all know about her. She kindly agreed. So, her new shop is : http://www.thecraftgarden.com/ and is up and running now but it will be September before it is fully stocked.

The picture is of my stash, all from this lovely lady.

PRECIOUS MOMENTS

That's just what I have when there's craft on the tele - precious moments.

However, that is the title of this gorgeous Sarah Kay stamp. I am in love with her stamps and now have 5 of them. Each is a detailed image which has been so cleverly drawn. They are easy to colour using allsorts of different pens, pencils or inks and look amazing once done.

I cannot take full credit for the design of this card as the original is on a blog I found a few weeks ago, but I have adapted it to both papers and flowers in my stash and I also had to use alcohol ink to colour the corner peel offs. The final card is really quite lovely, though I say it myself.

VINTAGE QUEEN

Take a look at this ATC. It's 1 from the latest bundle from Sharon, one of my swapping buddies. I just love this card - reminds me of what my figure used to look like LOL - all the little bits go together so well.

I keep trying to make ATCs like this, you know, either altered vintage or a combination of old and new, but I just don't have the imagination, so this card rocks my boat. Well done Sharon and thank you so much for sending it, along with the other gorgeous cards which I will put on my Flickr.

TAYLOR

Just look who I've been cuddling this weekend. Isn't she just adorable?

At only 12 weeks old, she is the most intelligent little bundle of fluff I've ever met. She was chasing this remote car around as though she was herding sheep. Her energy was amazing and seemed never ending, but when she did finally give in to sleep, she just laid on her back - flat out!!

Taylor belongs to 2 lovely people who we met a few years ago and again when we were at Weston Park air show earlier this year. We will all be meeting up throughout the years at various places so I shall be able to watch little 'Tay' grow and learn. Just wonderful.