Feathered Friends

Good morning,

I hope everyone out there in craft land is well - I'm hoping to pop over to Blythe Craft Studio later today - they are having a demonstration day (bet I can't get home without spending any money!)

I have another make for you today for the new challenge at Fantasy Stampers and for the next two weeks the new theme is

'PEACHES & CREAM'

So, here's what I made using a pretty little stamp from Clear Impressions ...

I have layered some peach 'Adorable Scorable' cardstock onto a cream card blank, then added my pretty flecked paper (it is cream with a slight peach fleck embedded into it).

I stamped directly onto the paper with my Spiced Marigold distress ink (I added a little Versamark ink to the stamp first, which seems to give a clearer stamped image when using distress inks). The gorgeous little birdie was from a freebie set that I got with a magazine some time ago - it is from Clear Impressions and is called 'Feathered Friends'.

I added a piece of cream ribbon, together with a bit of peach twine and a little pearlised heart embellishment to finish off my triple bow.

Other embellishments include a stamped sentiment using a brand new stamp set from Stampin' Up called 'Endless Birthday Wishes' (I can see this is going to be another favourite!) and three tiny little peach buttons.

Why not pop over and check out some more fab inspiration from my design team over at the challenge - hope to see you there.

Hugz, Jan xx

Shake, Shake ...

Hello again,

I'm back today with my DT inspiration for the next challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz, and this week Amy chose the theme

'SHAKER CARDS'

Now, these are not my favourite style of card to make (I find them very fiddly), but here's what I came up with ...

I just made a small 'shaker' element to be the focal point of my card layout. I stamped inside it using an old freebie stamp from a Craft Stamper magazine, then added some fine white glitter and some little silver sparkly bits, before sealing the square and adding the die-cut frame.

The tiny little sentiment was on the same stamp and I framed it with a smaller version of the main topper.

A scrap of book paper, some ribbon and a few blue brads to finish off.

That's all for today,

Hugz, Jan xx

Butterflies in Flight

Good morning,

I'm back today with my DT make for the new theme over at the Alphabet Challenge, and this time Jackie has chosen the theme of

'K for KINDNESS'

What a great reason to send a lovely hand crafted card, just to be kind - there are so many reasons I can think of. Here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

I decided to stay with the summery colours today and chose yellow and cream for a nice cheery look. 

I used a Sue Wilson Mini Striplet die called 'Butterflies in Flight', cutting it three times to make the background, then enclosed it in a little frame made from Creative Expressions Custard cardstock.

The flowers are stamped using a Honeydoo stamp set, then cut out and layered up with a little pearl centre. The die-cut butterflies are part of the Striplet die, and I added a stamped sentiment using my 'Sassy Salutations' set from Stampin' Up.

Why not come and join us - I'm sure there is a reason to send a 'Kindness' card to someone you know.

Hugz, Jan xx

Whatever Makes You Happy

Hello there everyone,

I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine - the temperatures here have been unbelievable this week! It has been lovely to spend some time sat out in the garden - I even did some colouring out there yesterday.

So, today we have a brand new theme over at Cardz 4 Galz, and this time Babs has set us the challenge of using

'NO PATTERNED PAPERS'

Now, I must admit, I do love my design papers and do quickly turn to them when making a card - so this challenge was a pleasant change and I decided to get out my distress inks and get messy. Here's what I created for a little inspiration ...

As we have been enjoying all this glorious sunshine, I decided to use some lovely bright colours - I inked up a piece of white card using Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold and Shabby Shutters distress ink.

I created lots of depth to the colour by using a stencil, a few abstract stamps and a little piece of sequin waste. I stamped the two corners in black and then added some Black Soot distress ink around the edges.

The sentiment (corner stamp and the little dragonflies) are from a set by Sheena Douglass which I got free on a magazine some time ago. 

I die-cut some flowers from a scrap of the inked card and layered them up, with a few punched leaves, to finish the card.

I really enjoyed making my project without delving into my stash of design papers - why not go and check out how the rest of the design team managed without their papers too?

Hugz, Jan xx

Lost Marbles!

Good morning,

Well, I know I was moaning about it raining on Saturday and now we have a mini heatwave - the temperatures here yesterday were ridiculous and today is supposed to be even warmer. Somewhere nice and comfortable in between would be nice - my little fur babies didn't know what to do with themselves yesterday!

I made sure I was in my craft room early yesterday, as I use my conservatory and in this heat it is like a sauna by lunchtime! So, here's what I made for the new challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz today, and Jane chose the theme of

'MAKE US SMILE'

I must admit I am a little addicted to my 'Crazy Birds' at the moment ...

I was looking for a quote on the internet and this one certainly makes me smile! It describes me perfectly!

I typed it out on my pc, printed it off, then added some funky scribbled lines around the outside of the wording to make boxes. Then I stamped my little 'Crazy Bird' as if he is sitting on top of the pile of words. I used my Promarkers to colour him and added a doodled border to match the wording. I just love the expression on his face - it says everything!

Hope you will join us and 'Make us Smile' with your own quirky creations this week.

Hugz, Jan xx

Birthday Blooms

Good morning,

Well, I have been at home for two weeks now and would have officially finished school for the summer yesterday - and guess what? It's raining here as I write my post!

We have a brand new challenge today at Fantasy Stampers with a nice easy theme for the next two weeks

'CLEAN & SIMPLE'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I must admit, it does have a little more detail than I would normally include in a 'CAS' design - but it is just one layer using the base card.

First I decided where I wanted the circle aperture to go and drew a feint pencil line to guide my stamping. Then I used my 'Stampin' Up 'Birthday Blooms' stamp set and stamped the gorgeous flower along the edge of the circle. I masked out the flower and added some stamped splatters using Milled Lavender distress ink.

Next I cut around the circle to make an aperture in the card, and also cut off some of the fussy parts of the stamp that were protruding into the circle. 

The flower is coloured with my Promarkers and I added a little glitter to highlight the petals. 

I added a piece of polka dot design paper behind the aperture (actually adhered to the inside of the card) and added a stamped sentiment (from the same stamp set). Three little punched butterflies from the scrap design paper finish off the design.

Hope you can come and join us over at the challenge.

Hugz, Jan xx

Time to open the Christmas Box!

Happy Tuesday,

Well I must admit, I'm never very organised when it comes to starting Christmas crafts and the thought of it this early usually sets me running, but we have a new theme over at the Cardz 4 Guyz challenge this week and yes, our Jules chose

'CHRISTMAS IN JULY'

So, out came the box from deep in the corner, a quick dust down before I opened it, and here's what I came up with for some inspiration ...

Papers are from my stash and the I love this little reindeer stamp, which came free on a magazine last year. I stamped him in Aged Mahogany distress ink to co-ordinate with the colours in the design paper.

Hope you can come and join us if you are brave enough to open your Christmas Box!

Hugz, Jan xx

In the Jungle

Hello there,

First of all, it just wouldn't be right not to say 'Happy Birthday' to my big girl who is 27 today (how old do I feel!!) Lol. We are off to the cinema later to see 'The Legend of Tarzan' - ooo, yummy Mr Skarsgard in a loincloth!

I'm back on schedule today and have a brand new theme over at the Alphabet Challenge - this week Amy has chosen for the letter 'J' ...

'JUNGLE ANIMALS'

Here's what I made for a little inspiration using an old set of Kanban stamps ...

Quite a simple design this time because I was rushing to catch up! I love the expression on his face - I seem to look like that most of the time at the minute! Confused, that is - not hairy!! 

He is stamped in black ink and coloured with my Promarkers. Everything looked a little dark, so I lifted it with a hint of blue.

If you have a minute, why not pop over to the challenge and check out some more great inspiration.

Hugz, Jan xx

Thank You

Good afternoon,

I am late posting today - not sure where the day has gone. I am behind schedule because I was out most of the day yesterday - some interesting things happening here, but I can't tell you just yet ;)

I have my next project for the new challenge over at Cardz 4 Galz, and this week our leader Caz has chosen the theme of

'GINGHAM'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

Now, green isn't a colour I normally use - but I had trouble finding some gingham paper (which I couldn't quite believe with the amount of stash I have). I found this one in an old paper pad and I am quite pleased with the results - I think it looks really fresh.

I made the 'Thank You' card to take into school next week for my colleagues, just to show my appreciation for the lovely gifts and flowers that they all bought me when I left last week. I still haven't got my head around it yet!

I used my Spellbinders 'Scalloped Borders One' dies to create an edging, and then layered up the different pieces. I added a strip of white mesh, topped with a piece of green organza ribbon. The stamped greeting is from my Stampin' Up 'Sassy Salutations' set, and I decorated this with some pretty flowers which were stamped onto parchment and heat embossed with white powder. The centre of the flowers is die cut, along with the foliage from scraps of the background layer.

Hope you will join us over at the challenge.

Hugz, Jan xx

In the Country

Hi there,

It's a happy day today - off to the airport later to pick up my girlies after their week in Zante. Can't believe how much I missed them!

I have my new DT inspiration for the next challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz today and the new theme is

'IN THE COUNTRY'

Here's what I made using one of my LOTV stamps ...

The stamp is called 'In the Country', so a perfect choice for the challenge. I coloured it using my Faber Castell colouring pencils for a change.

Why not pop over and take a look at some more fab inspiration over at the challenge.

Hugz, Jan (DT) xx

Wish upon a Star

Good morning,

Well, both my girlies have been in Zante together since Tuesday and I can't believe how quiet it's been without them! I grumble at all the noise when they are both in, but I sure have missed them both. They will be back next Tuesday evening, so I'm looking forward to hearing about all their adventures (well, maybe not all of them!) Lol.

Over at Fantasy Stampers today we see the start of the next challenge and the new theme is

'WISH UPON A STAR'

So we are looking for any of your project using stars - here's what I created for my DT inspiration ...

Think I went a bit overboard with the stars - but you get the idea!

The backing papers, stamped image and sentiment are all LOTV. The stamp is aptly called 'Wish upon a Star' and is coloured with my Promarkers (and a little added glitter sparkle). The 'Wish' letters are cut using an old Sizzix alphabet die, then added to my card. 

Why not pop over to the challenge blog HERE and check out some more fab inspiration from my design team.

Hugz, Jan xx

My News

Good afternoon to you all,

Well, for those of you that don't know, I can finally reveal my news now ...

As many of you know, I have worked in primary school for a long time now, and although my job has been challenging at times, I absolutely love working with the children.

But, I had a bit of a bombshell dropped on me at the end of May that literally knocked me sideways. At a meeting just before the half term break in May our Headteacher announced that she was planning to re-structure the staff in September and had to lose one of her support staff. As there are three Higher Level Teaching Assistants at the school, they had decided to reduce to just two posts in September. And what job do I do - yep, a HLTA!

At the time I went into a flat spin, literally driving home in tears - but after much careful thought and consideration, I decided that it was time for me to go and I have taken the voluntary redundancy package they had on offer. So as from September, I will be unemployed - now that's a scary thought!

It was a very emotional day yesterday, my last day at school, but I finished at 3.30pm for the very last time, leaving with so many memories - lots of them good (and a few bad ones too). I was bombarded with cards and prezzies and flowers and so many good wishes (and lots of hugs from the children too). So I can't be sad, but only time will tell whether I made the right decision.

I'm not sure what the next chapter includes, but for the time being I am going to spend some time at home after the horrible year we've had here, which began last June with my hubby being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (he has had to take medical retirement) and finishing with losing my mum earlier this year. There have been lots of other things in between too, which have just added up to a really bad year. I'm now working on the principle that 'things can only get better', but without a pay check every month I think we will have to tighten our belts a little!

I have lots of ideas that I want to pursue, but first I need to get my head in order and figure out what is the best route to follow. I am hoping that my crafting will play a big role in my future and I am looking at ways to expand my horizons whilst incorporating my addiction (sorry, hobby)!

But until then, I have a 'To Do' list as long as my arm that needs some attention (all those jobs I was too tired to do while I was working!) So as they say, it's 'onwards and forwards' for me - who knows what the future will hold (but I am secretly hoping it has some good things to offer).

Big hugz, Jan xx