Hi all, here we are again.  A reminder that Nikky (Polka Doodles) is on Create and Craft tomorrow at 10am and 4pm with the launch of the new Studio 12 Picnix CD Ginger Snaps.  It has some gorgeous papers, images and elements on it so don't miss it.

Also Barbara Gray (Clarity Stamp) is on tomorrow with her Classroom tomorrow and then shows on Sunday too.

Today I have some projects from the last Making Cards Special issue.  This issue the papers were all designed by the lovely Nancy Watts.  Sadly I didn't have as much time as usual so didn't make as many as I normally do, such a shame as these papers and elements were very usable indeed.  I hope you like them.

Hi all, well I tried to get this post done a bit earlier, I did honestly! but life as they say just keeps getting in the way.

I had a little bit of fun this week making my project for the Polka Doodles Studio 12 Blog.  I didn't use any printed papers or greetings etc from the CD.  All I used was two flower images from the Heavenly Garden section printed three times on acetate.  This I made this into a stencil by cutting out different sections of the flower so I could decorate the front cover of a homemade book/journal/album (not sure which yet) upcyled from an empty paper pad.  It is still a work in progress and I need to add a title, embellish it and add the pages.  Details of how I did this are on the Studio 12 blog if you want them.

Clarity Stamp samples from the last show.  The first is a wall hanging which I rather like, I could have kept that one.

 

The one below was just me playing around with the stamp set before I actually made anything.

and the cards -

Th N on this one is upside down, but with the letters space out it really didn't look right the right way up.

The one below has to be my fave, lots of masking but I really like the end result.

More playing here with just one tiny stamp and two different inkpads.  It interesting just how many patterns you can make.

Germany show samples

TTFN Dee

Ooo eer, how time flies. I really don't know where it's going.  I get up in the morning and before I know it it's time for bed and I'm still working away, and have I got everything done, have I heck.  I think I must be on slow motion while the world around me is on fast forward.  It certainly feels that way at the moment.

Today is my Mum's 70th birthday, we had a little gathering round her house yesterday and we surprised her by taking my nephew (well he's almost my nephew, I think second cousin is the real term).  Alex moved over to New Zealand about 7 years ago with his parents and he's now doing a tour in his gap year before being all grown up and going to uni.  He baked Mum a birthday cake as a pressie for her, how sweet was that?  I have to say Auntie and Uncle are tickled pink to have their grandson home for a short while, but I see plenty of tears on the horizon when he goes off to Europe.  They do miss Alex and his family dreadfully.

Without further ado here are a few pics from the last month or so

This first one is a little Christmas tree for Studio 12.  It's a mixture of all the backing papers from the first three picknix collections.  More are on the way soon, so look out for them at the beginning of September on Create and Craft.  Don't forget to check out the Studio 12 blog, there's a new project from the talented DT everyday.  A great source of inspiration and a wide range of styles and crafting types.

 

Three cards I did for friends.  I do like the first one, it's quite simple, but so effective when seen in the flesh.  The stamps are an old set by Craftwork cards, so sweet.

Studio 490 stamps, distress inkpads, Sizzix embossing folder and Couture Creations embossing folder.  The text is from a pad by DCWV

A very special card now.  This a card for Colin's Goddaughter, I made it for her parents as they wanted a Wow card to give her.  It took a while to make but was so worth it.  The papers are from an amazing pad by DCWV, I forget the name and I really can't go digging around for it right now so forgive me, I seem to remember that Lace is in the name somewhere (I think, lol).  The cream and black papers on the inside are from Craftwork Cards.

And now some Clarity samples.  Here is my little sculpture/ornament/mini installation/thingy, call it what you will.I used the fantastic Studio 490 Artparts to make this.  I did like this stamp set, there's so much you can do with it.  You could have days even weeks of fun just playing them discovering new designs.  I'm pretty sure the tutorial for it will be on there soon if it's not on there already.  

 

 The following cards are from the Clarity shows in Germany.  I wish I could read German, it's quite unnerving using a sentiment when your not sure what it says.  You never quite know if it goes with the card!  Having said that I do know what this one says.  Just thought I 'd point that out before you all thought I was a total dunce hehe.

 Well that's it for now.  It will not be so long before my next post I promise.