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.

Just a quickie to say I'll be on Create and Craft at 4pm this Thursday, also Nikky will be on with Polka Doodles this Saturday with a new CD.

I'll leave you with a couple of Cards I did for Making Cards magazine that are in the July edition.  Full instructions and templates can be found in the magazine.

Sorry for the delay, I know it's been a while but I've been that busy I hardly know my ---- from my elbow.  I have a few samples for you today but first I'd like to let you all know that's it's Candy time over on teh Studio 12 blog.  All you have to do is follow the blog, leave a comment and mention it on your own blog. 

The lovely Rosemary Merry will be on Create and Craft on the 3rd July 8am and 2pm showcasing the picknix collection so catch it if you can.  Sorry for any spelling errors but the spell check seems to not be working.  Is it just me or is it the same all over?




Here are a couple of projects made with the Studio 12 picknix collection 1 for you. 

Below are some Creative Expressions Samples
Studio 490 stamps and Art Parts, CE Vintage ultra thick embossing powder and organza roses, Spellbinders Bitty Blossons, Distress inkpads and Foundations patterned paper

 The back

 Studio 490 stamps and Art Parts, CE ultra thick embossing powders, mica flakes, Vintage ribbon, Rangers Idea-ology, Distress inks, Vintaj Patina's and Perfect Pearls

 Couture Creations embossing folders used on metal and card with a whole host of products and techniques

Couture Creations embossing folder, distress inks, Spellbinders Labels, Perfect Pearls, CE ribbons and embellies

Studio 490 stamps, Cosmic Shimmer misting inks, clear embossing powder, Distress Inkpads, vintage ribbon and bakers twine

Clarity Stamp Samples now from this weekends show on Create and Craft.
Pattern building and overstamping, adirondack and distress inkpads. Fantasy film for the butterfly

 The same pattern on a large MDF letter.

 Cosmic shimmer mica sprays, embossing powder and acrylic drawing inks

 Lots of repeat stamping on this one using a big and juicy inkpad

 Some lush DCWV papers used here

Couture Creations embossing folder, lots of distress ink, cocoa embossing powder and micro beads on the shoe

 Soft watercolouring on this one

Craftwork Cards papers and gold embossing powder

 Simply coloured in and mounted onto a foiled card blank

Lots of masking