Polkadoodles Challenge Day

Good morning everyone,

I've got that Friday feeling, which means it must be challenge time over at the Polkadoodles blog.  This week we would like to see your 'Square cards' that include a 'Round element' on them.  Simples!  Here's my DT card for a little inspiration ...

Back to the Christmas cards this week - I used the 'Here Comes Christmas CD' to print papers, the snowman and sentiments before assembling the card.  The snowman image is decoupaged to give some depth to the card and the 'round element' includes a little snowman joke. Well, what do snowmen eat for breakfast, I hear you say ...

Snowflakes, 

of course!! Lol.  

Just twist the top circle, which is held in place with a brad, to reveal the answer hidden underneath.

I shall look forward to visiting your blogs to take a peek at your entries - don't forget to pop over to the challenge blog to see some more fab inspiration from my teamies.

Hugz, Jan xx

I'm so excited ...

Good morning to you all on Remembrance Sunday,

Sending out special wishes to all those remembering someone today - it's the anniversary of my dad's death this weekend and although he wasn't in the forces, it's still a time to remember for our family.

I don't actually have anything to show you today - but I do have some very exciting news.  I was fed up at the beginning of the week, returning to work after the half term break (most of which I spent crafting!).  But the week definitely got better as it went on.

My first bit of excitement was mid-week when I was invited to join the Design Team over at 'The Alphabet Challenge Blog' by my good friend, Cazro.  Of course I said 'Yes' and my first DT project for them will be included in next week's challenge - if you would like to go check out the blog click here.

My second bit of excitement happened this morning when I was checking the blogs I follow.  To my utter surprise, I have been chosen as a Guest Designer over at the 'Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog'.  So, watch this space in the not so distant future for my DT project :)

I'm also willing this week away too, as I'm attending a craft workshop next Saturday where I will meet the fantastic Hels Sheridan.  I'm a big fan of her work and can't wait to get all inky with her - if you would like to check out her blog, click here.

Right, I'm off to lie down in a dark room now - don't know if I can cope with all the excitement (it doesn't take much to please me, does it!) Lol.

Oh, just realised that I have no piccies - so thought I would share one of my gorgeous furbabies sharing a moment :)

See you all soon,
Hugz, Jan xx

Xmas Decorations at Studio 12

Good morning,

I hope the weekend finds everyone well.  It's my turn to post over on the Studio 12 blog today and I thought I would show you a simple little Christmas ornament that I made using the Picknix 2 - Gingerbread Twist CD ...

It's made using two papers and a sentiment from the CD, plus two die-cut scalloped circles and lots of bling!   I cut a scalloped circle from dark red pearlised card, then added a slightly smaller scalloped circle cut from one of the red papers, which was inked around the edge with Walnut Stain distress ink.  The next layer is a concertina paper rosette made using the second red paper and the topper is a sentiment from the CD mounted on another dark red scalloped circle.  Bling it up to your hearts content and add a piece of hanging ribbon and 'Voila' - a simple decoration.

You could easily adapt these to include an image in the centre, or even personalise them with family greetings.

See you all soon,

Hugz, Jan xx

Clarity Christmas

Happy Sunday everyone,

Just a quick post from me today - I am getting ready to go back to school tomorrow (groan!)

I have spent quite a bit of time watching the very talented Barbara Gray on C & C this weekend and decided to have a go yesterday with my new 'Letterbox' stamp set which I bought at a recent craft show.  So, armed with my brayer, splodge mat and stamp set away I went - here's the outcome:

I followed Barbara's lesson from the telly yesterday, although I don't have the same stamps as she did - so I improvised with a set from my stash.  The splodge mat has opened a whole new door as far as brayering is concerned and the new 'Letterbox' stamps are a dream to use.  I find it totally fascinating to create cards simply using ink and stamps - my normal style is to add a bit of everything! Lol.  I am really pleased with the result and the design looks so clean and simple.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend,

Hugz, Jan xx

A Tag in a Pocket

Morning everyone,

I'm a little late posting this morning, have been engrossed in my art journal since 7am this morning! Yes, you heard right - I couldn't sleep!! Lol.

I have a different project to show today - as the title says, it's a tag in a pocket! Couldn't think what else to call it - see what you think ...

I made the pocket from some champagne card stock and then covered it with lush paper from the 'Prima Almanac' paper pad and a postcard from my stash.  I have recently bought the TH die to make paper rosettes and I can't stop playing with them.  The extra flowers are also Prima to match the Almanac range.  Embellishments include black die-cut swirls, buttons and adhesive pearls.

Here's the tag that nestles inside ...

I absolutely love this photo (can't remember where it's from, but there are several on one sheet).  

I would like to enter this in the 'Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Pearls and Flowers'

Hope you all have a great weekend,

Hugz, Jan xx

Bright and Sparkle

Hi there everyone,

It's Friday again, which means two things - my half term break is almost over and it's Polkadoodles challenge day!

As Bonfire night approaches quick and fast we would like to see your 'Bright and Sparkle' projects this week over at the challenge blog.  Remember, it doesn't have to be a card - it can be any project at all as long as we can see some 'bright' and 'sparkle'.

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

I thought I would have a change from Christmas this week and made a bright cheery card for a 'Special Day'.  The square paper pieces are all printed from the 'Sugar Plum Daisy CD' and are inked around the edges with matching distress ink.  I made the centre panel on my pc, using letters from the 'Picknix 2 - Gingerbread Twist CD' to spell the word 'Sparkle' (I exported them to Paint and played around with the colour to make them all bright).  The sentiment is also made on my pc and I added a sparkly star (printed from the 'Sundae of Seasons CD') then treated it to a generous helping of glitter for some lovely sparkle.

Go on, pop on over to the blog - you know you want to! Lol.

Hugz, Jan xx

Silhouette

Good morning,

Yay, I have finally managed to master my brayer! How did I do this I hear you ask?

Well, after watching a demonstration with the brilliant Barbara Gray at a recent craft show, I decided to spend some of my hard earned cash on a 'Splodge Mat'.  I then tucked it away carefully in my craft room, a little afraid to use it in case I failed again!  But boldy pushing my fear aside yesterday, I prepared all my equipment, chose my inks and had a play - finally achieving some success!

I wanted to enter the Joanna Sheen challenge this week, which is 'Silhouettes' so had a play around with a brayered background for my card.  This is what I came up with ...

I used Spun Sugar and Tumbled Glass distress inks with the brayer to make the background for both the picture and the card blank.  I over stamped the card blank with a swirly stamp and highlighted this with some pearlised chalks for a little extra interest.  The silhouette scenery stamps are mainly Clarity stamps and I added a little sprinkle of crystal glitter from the fairy (not easy to see on the photo).  A piece of black ribbon and bow, some black adhesive pearls and a stamped sentiment finish the card. 

It was very different for me not using any paper products on my card, but I must say I'm very pleased with my attempt and the 'Splodge Mat' definitely made it easier to manage the brayer - I can see my little brayer might not spend quite so much time in the cupboard now. Lol!

Enjoy your Thursday, 

Hugz, Jan xx