Scrap! (but it may not be what you think)

When we go away I almost always take my 'monster' pencil case - I try to fit in some crafty time - usually with an art journal! I do have supplies there but my pencil case has all my favourites in!

This is how I like it to be but it had become a bit of a quick storage for little scraps and was becoming harder to close - so, time for a sort out - it was raining on Friday morning so I tipped everything out and just put back in my essentials!
This is only part of what came out-

There were also bits of ribbon, twine, a button, a couple of small stamps and a lot of fluff!!
Now I know many of you would bin this but you know me better than that!
I had taken my smallest journal(31/2" x 4")with me so set myself a challenge of using up some of these scraps!
This is the first page

I used Distress ink to edge a mop up page that had also had some splashes on too! 
I then stamped on the butterfly and edged that. The heart was inked with some red Distress ink and stamped with another Kaisercraft background stamp.
Went round the edge of the butterfly with a B4 pencil and smudged it to make a shadow and added a chit chat sticker.

I am entering the That's Crafty! Challenge blog 'Wings 'n Things challenge 

and also linking to Brenda's Visual Journal at Bumblebees and Butterflies.

Thanks for looking, Chris

WOYWW 226 In a rush!

What's on my worktop? A bit of rushed activity that's what, so please excuse the rushed photo. Why the rush? - I'm off to Italy at the weekend and I'm trying to get a journal ready! So why am I at my computer showing you a photo? - because I just love being part of Julia's happy family of desk sharers(see here for details)
The desk

I'm using the last small moleskin in the pack along with some Crafty Individuals papers and pics, lots of inks, some stamps all of which are around my desk. At the back of the desk you will see my Kaisercraft letters(my fave at the moment)or rather you can see two sets propped up - one is minus the 'y' which went missing in action last week. Came back after lunch and - GONE!! - searched everywhere! Fortunately I was able to buy a new set at Happy Stampers at the weekend and if the missing in letter turns up I have at least a spare set (minus mr y) to take away to the caravan. 
The journal is open so that ink can dry - want a quick look?

A bit of masking, and monochrome stamping as well as the ghosting stamping with a torn CI page taped in. Still a way to go and I'll be back in two weeks to show you some more!

Off now to add some some more then to tackle the ironing - Rita's on holiday!!! 

See you later, Chris

I'l be making more of these...

...little sandwich bag flowers.I bought some brown paper sandwich bags from our local Lakeland shop, having read about how storing food in plastic bags altered the flavour of food - and since they are better for the environment anyway thought I'd give them a try - or will I? Looking for something different to stamp onto with paint I tried a bag to make a little bird atc. I could see that the paper would make nice little flowers so made a layered flower(with the tattered floral small flower die) using the paper which I had stamped with a script stamp.
Got a kraft tag out then went to the cinema to see Les Miserables(a fantastic, must see film - in fact may be a must see again film lol!)
Anyway, came back, chilled, watched tv and then got it into my head that the tag needed lace(Cosette's Wedding dress was gorgeous!)too late to start last night, but up early this morning and using Kaisercraft lace and music stamps and a little bit of Frantage shabby white embossing enamel, a Crafty Individuals quote(I think)stamped onto leftover waxed kitchen paper and lace and ribbons from my box I have come up with this

I must confess I didn't stop to think it through and maybe that shows? I just had a need to go with the flow... or follow my muse so I thought I'd enter it for the challenge here at Frilly and Funkie. Then got totally distracted with a bit of blog hopping and although I had originally thought I might enter it for Hels' "Dream" challenge this week I'd also like it entered into the "Lace Love" challenge here at Simon says stamp and show.

Here's the little flower in case you didn't get to see it yesterday

Soo! maybe, just maybe, Mr Mojo is heading back to my craft room - just to test I think I'll head back in there after lunch!
Thanks for looking, Chrisx

Tag(s)

I don't often make tags, no particular reason why not it's just not the first thing I turn to when I just feel like playing. However, yesterday while having a bit of a sort out I came across some I'd started but not finished. Didn't feel in the mood for anything else this morning, so while waiting for the washer to finish a cycle I finished them off.

This one had been stamped and heat embossed using a Tim bird stamp and a Wendy Vecchi leaf stamp onto a distress inked and spritzed background, so I just darkened the edges with Tumbled Glass ink over a stencil and drew in  a branch.

This was just an inked and spritzed stamp so I used a Brilliance orange over a leaf stencil then added Spiced Marmalade and Brushed Corduroy around the edge, stamped with Tim birds, Lost Coast bird, and Kaisercraft word. 


We've been told there will be a bit of a delay with the flat - red tape stuff - so instead of sorting stuff this weekend we're going to get away for a few days. We've already got enough for a boot sale so hopefully we can get a pitch in a few weeks time at a local indoor one.I haven't done a boot sale since the boys were in primary school and hubby has never done one - I understand they start so much earlier these days - used to be 9.00 back then!!


Hope you all have a lovely weekend, thanks for your lovely, encouraging comments, Chris

A journal page..

 a birthday card and a sneaky peek!
I started these pages some time ago in my little moleskine but it's taken me until now to finish it. I thought it would be just right for Dawn's 'inclusion/tags' journal challenge. 

It started out by being a mop-up page for a flower stencil to which I added some watercolour paint, flowers dabbed through a small flower that I had used on a card,some ripped leftover paper and some hearts cut out of some more mop-up paper(anyone would think I don't own any paper he! he!)I made the tag by swiping with distress stains and dabbing more paint through the flower shape and then turning it over to make a further flower shape. I was going to stamp the words but then decided that Sakura pens might look nicer(not sure about that tho')
I sent this card to a good friend the other day, I hope she liked it even though it was made from scraps!!

The stamped image is part of a Crafty Individuals stamp, which I stamped onto some more mop up paper using Adirondak ginger ink. This was then mounted onto  scrap of fabric from a bundle I bought in a sale, little flower cut out and then built up with more cut out flowers and all mounted onto a script stamp from Kaisercraft. A leftover peel-off(I've given loads away)and a coloured insert and I was quite pleased with this one.
I'm still battling away with sorting 'stuff' but took time out this morning to prepare a background for my 365/11 journal (see Kate's blog here)so here's just a sneaky peek at what I've started.

 Right back to work, I can't take everything!!!
Enjoy the sunshine!! Thanks for looking, Chris

Journal starters

I had a job getting started yesterday with 'the task', so what to do but make some backgrounds and chill first! 

This one using a Big and Juicy Happy Birthday pad on my craft mat, sprayed with water then smooshed around, then sprayed cosmic shimmer paint and twinkling H2Os with a paint brush, a bit of stamping with Kaisercraft background stamps and I was beginning to feel more worklike! 

For this one I use the same process using the Hydrangea B&J pad,another Kaisercraft background stamp and Perfect pearls pearl mist.

I also ended up with this lovely piece of mop up paper:)

Looking forward to using these but had to get on and even though I hardly stopped there's still looooaaaads to do!! 

Craft today at Sale, looking forward to seeing everyone and we're sewing today, should be fun!!

Thanks for looking, Chris

So True!

Just a journal page to show you.

I certainly feel as though I'm dreaming at the moment! Things are happening so fast too!
The panel with the text on was from trying out some water colours and along with the bird was from Elusive Images. Background was made by 'smooshing' with distress stains then I used various background stamps from Kaisercraft and dabbed ink through the wing of a Tattered Angels bird mask. The flying birds are of course Tim's and the little flowers at the bottom are MollyBlooms.


Bit concerned at the minute as they are knocking down a building close by and I keep feeling the ground shake!!!


Thanks for looking, Chris

Three sided coin anyone?

I've got a dilemma, I'm going to a Kate Crane(yes,the Kate Crane!)workshop with my friend Sarah and I'm supposed to take a small journal.The thing is I don't know what to do....should I take one I've started already...or should I take said 'one I've started already' and turn it upside down and start from the back....or do I take a new one(I do have one that I bought as part of a special offer)? I'm also so excited that I'm not thinking straight at all and with de-cluttering, thinking we may have found our new home and having our decking re-vamped - it's now a lovely shade of green thanks to hubby and eldest son, I suppose come Saturday morning I'll grab both and decide when I get there!


It was our anniversary on Tuesday and my son who was staying with us went off with my grandson for the night to go camping(in his words "to leave us lovebirds on our own"!!)It was nice to go out and not feel guilty about leaving them with baked beans on toast he!he!We found a lovely pub, 'The Lunesdale Arms' in Tunstall near Kirby Lonsdale and had a fabulous meal in peaceful surroundings! 


I didn't have much time for crafting other than make fish and sharks with my grandson - lots of shiny stickles involved(a very aptly named product where my grandson is concerned!!!)

I did however complete a journal page that I'd already started.One night I went out onto the decking and looked up and through the stars could actually see the Milky Way - I know....small pleasures, but it inspired me to make this page.
The background was a very bright pink but by the time I'd added Weathered Wood and Faded Jeans distress stains and let them move around before spritzing then mopping up, then dabbing Corduroy Distress ink around a star, sprayed everything lightly with Silver Perfect Pearl spray and stamped with some spotty Kaisercraft background stamps I was happy enough to add a Crafty Individuals image and add some words and a bit of doodling!


So, tomorrow we are off for a couple more viewings to confirm (or not) whether we are actually going to make a decision!!


Thanks for looking and Thank you too for your comments, they are much appreciated, Chris     

A SCRAP BOOK!

or rather, a book made from scraps.I don't know how I manage to get so many scrappy bits of paper OR worse still why I hang on to them! I mean, some of them are really the tiniest of scraps and although some do end up in the bin I often end up putting them into a little box until the lid won't fit!(if I'm honest I don't just have one scrap boxlol) Sooo here is the result of my latest clear out. No theme, just a folded book of scraps although I have done contrasting sides.

                      The front and back cover

The oranges and greens

The purples and pinks

There is room in the middle for some post-it notes - if only I can remember where they are! 

There are quite a few Crafty Individuals images here and I used a combination of Kaisercraft, Paper Artsy and Artemio stamps to help the scraps out!!

At least it's kept me quiet while hubby is still recovering, hopefully he will be back to work next week!

Thanks for looking, Chris

MY TREASURES

A while ago I attended Sylvia Woods Burnt Offerings workshop, I made a little book with one of the pieces I made. 

I wasn't sure what to do with it,let it sit for a while but then decided to turn it into a 'Gran's brag book'
To match the burnt look I printed the photos out in sepia, having first given them 'interesting' borders using Print Shop.

I stamped some of the pages using my favourite Kaisercraft background stamps.
I look forward to taking this with me whenever I go away.
Have a lovely day, Chris.

New look

Good Day to all, I think at long last I'm beginning to get the hang of this. 

I promised a look at a little notebook I've made. It started out as something I could take away with me, and something to use up scraps and it just went on from there - a little bit of collage,stamp in and just enjoying myself!!  

Kaisercraft text stamp, scraps, heart from a bargain sheet 

when a shop in Morecambe closed down,Studio G letters

   Crafty Individuals image, Kaisercraft stamps, 

Martha Stewart lace punch

Kaisercraft stamps, Crafty Individuals image, Eiffel Tower image from card bought in Accesorize, Martha Stewart leftovers from craft club project, scraps

 Kaisercraftstamp, Cuttlebug text, squared paper 

Darkroom door stamp, Penny Black stamp, scraps, 

music napkin, Crafty Individual bird stamps.

                 Tim Holtz salvage sticker, tissue tape and adage ticket, scraps and Kaisercraft stamps

I really enjoyed doing this and have already started another,I kept it thin enough to pop in my bag but on reflection don't think I will (not just yet anyway).

Woop! Woop! and not so Woop!, garage just rung to say car will be ready tonight - then gave me the cost!$!?! Oh well.....

Thank you for looking and for your comments, which I love reading, Chrisx

                             

A NEW PEAR!

While on one of our trips away we went into Morecambe, having walked around in the wind for a while we were on our way back to the car when hubby suggested I might like to go the little craft shop just off the front. Having a little look around I found a Rubber Stampede pear stamp which I just had to have, then I found it had been reduced - great!!
So, while waiting for the garage to ring on Monday(btw car still not been fixed -boohoo!)I set to and made 6 cards no less!

Plain and simple - Martha Stewart 'lace', 

Kaisercraft text and 'the pear'

Plain and simple - twine, ricrac, Kaisercraft text, birthday sentiment that I've had for ages and 'the pear'

An experiment,LOL, I had been cleaning off stamp in between using it and liked the look of the wipe so after it had dried I stamped on it, so - Martha Stewart lace,kraft paper, Craftwork cards sentiment and 'the pear'

Another experiment - a background using a pear napkin, 'the pear' stamped and embossed onto kraft paper with just a hint of 

bundled sage on the paper

Another plain and simple - 'the pear', stamped and masked, Kaisercraft text stamp,ribbon and a sentiment from my box

Finally, another experiment,'the pear' stamped and masked onto baby wipe, Kaisercraft text stamp, mounted onto card stamped with Kaisercraft music stamp and edged with Martha Stewart 'lace'.

I also carried on with a little notebook I am making, here is the cover

I hope to be back soon with it finished.

Off now to get my head around how to get all the shopping without a car - although my youngest has offered to take me. It just goes to show how reliant I have become on having our own transport, my mum used to do the shopping for the family without one, so how come I feel so darned grumpy about this!!

 Thanks for looking, please feel free to make a comment, I need cheering up:(
Chrisx

A Loverly time....

I have been having a great time! Friday - craft show in Manchester - not particularly impressed, but did meet some old friends and met two kindred spirits, one of whom I have followed on her blog -Liverpool Lou
Bought some lovely Kaisercraft background stamps and some masks for when I want to get really inky!
On Saturday my hubby drove us through the pouring rain and massive puddles all the way to Meadowhall at Sheffield where we met up with my brother and his wife who had come over from Lincoln. We hadn't been able to meet up at Christmas so it was pressie swap time!(they gave me a beautiful scrapbook kit which will be great for scrapping a book about my mum and dad) We spent a lot of time either sitting drinking coffee/tea or eating, so that we could chat and the time whizzed by and we were soon on our way back to find that the puddles had got even bigger.
Sunday saw me driving through the puddles - rain had fortunately stopped- To Dawn Bibby's Design Studio for a day art journaling with Lindsay Mason. I went to her Introduction to Art Journaling workshop last year as I had just started to journal during the Summer. This time we learned some new techniques and revisited some old ones but in a different way. We used spray inks, acrylic paints, stamps, inks - all the things I love. We used magazines to help to build a page - my theme was "the race against time".

When I have added a few finishing touches I'll share the rest of it with you. We used Gesso to help us draw a figure. The most challenging task was to paint a face. We all showed our work(with lots of giggling)

The whole day was made so much better by sharing it with a lovely crafting friend, Sheila and several other lovely crafters. Joanne popped by to say hello to everyone too. It was the most enjoyable day and was over far too quickly!
On Monday I spent some time taking photographs of my existing journals so here are some pages.



Thanks for looking and for all the lovely comments you make.
Chris