Seals in Peel and Indigo Blu

Happy Sunday evening everyone,
I hope you've all had a good weekend.  Did you remember to watch the Indigo Blu show on Create and Craft this morning?
Kay did a fine job again with some fabulous demonstrations, and weren't the new stamps just gorgeous!  Which was your favourite?

I showed you a couple of sneaky peeks last week before the show,  now here they are in full, plus a couple more of the samples I sent to Kay ......

daisy

This was stamped onto kraft card in Vintage Sepia Versafine ink, and then coloured with watercolour pencils.  The flake that I used was the new Manchester Tart onto the lovely flourish stamp that comes in the new sentiment set.  As Kay said on the show, this little stamp makes a lovely background.

Next is one of my favourites, the rose ....
 

rose

This is such a pretty stamp and it's one of those that looks different depending on what colour you go for.
Here I've used the stamp with a grey Versafine ink, to completely cover the background, starting in the middle and then masking each of the flowers.
The rose was then stamped again, 4 times, using Worn Lipstick Distress Marker, applied directly onto the stamp.  They were then cut into layers and decoupaged over the centre rose - so pretty!
These stamps also work well with shrink plastic because they're such a nice size. You can see I've used a little rose on the sentiment.

Last one of my sneak peeks is the Iris ....

iris

Another way of using the stamps ..... stamp the image and them cut around it before adding to your card.  The background is the IB Harlequinn stamp done with black ink, and then again with the Flitter Glu and Flakes, this time I've used the new Gin & Tonic (my favourite!). Add a lovely sentiment, a piece of pretty ribbon and some gems - done!
Here's some more of what I sent to Kay, all done using the Distress Markers to colour the stamps, then the matching Distress Inks to add colour to the backgrounds etc. ......

poppy

tulip

The sentiment on this one has been done with the Flitter Glu and flakes first, and then I overstamped it again, slightly to one side, with black ink to give like a shadow effect.
And finally ..... I had to do a tag

These are just a few of what I made,  I will post the rest over the next few days, along with the little tag book that Kay showed on the show.

If you didn't get chance to order from Create and Craft all the stamps, and the flakes etc., are available here on the Indigo Blu website.  I think they're all in stock.

Well, I've another busy week coming up, more DT stuff, so I may not have chance to pop on here as much as I would like.
Lauren and Alex also go home on Tuesday so I'm spending as much time as I can with them.
We went to the beach again today, this time over in Peel.  It was a nice sunny afternoon over there and the beach is lovely.  Alex had a ball ......

Peel Castle in the background

We walked along the quay side looking for dolphins or seals playing in the waters ....

..... and eventually we spotted 3 seals swimming in the bay .....

 

....... sooo cute!  It's nice to see them swimming in the open sea.

Well, that's me done for this evening.  Time to put my feet up and relax before bedtime.

Thanks for stopping by

Have a lovey week, and I'll be back soon.

Linda

x

Glad this is done!!!

Happy Friday evening everyone,

I'm so glad this is finally done, my Tim Tag for July - yeah!  I have not been looking forward to this one I can tell you.
Don't get me wrong, I love doing this challenge but, this month has been really hard work for me.  It's not my favourite tag (Sorry Tim!).

I didn't know where to start with it at all!  I didn't have the stamp that Tim had used and nothing in my stash came close.  Normally that wouldn't faze me, but this time I couldn't think of anything, I had no inspiration at all - my mojo had taken the day off I think.

Not having a clue where I was going with this, I gathered all my supplies together and made a start.
It was fun with the alcohol inks, but unfortunately I didn't have a can of compressed air, so I made do with a plastic straw and a lot of huffing and puffing.
Great technique, but I wasn't too happy with my results, even after a couple of attempts.  I'm now on the look out for a can of compressed air so I can give it another go.  Tim made it look so easy.

Here's my finished tag ....

I stuck to Tim's colours and overall Tag design and added a few of my own bits - extra stamping on the actual tag,  some bunting and a little more baker's twine.
The stamps I've used are ..... the Union Jack from the Indigo Blu 'Pomp and Pageantry' set and 'Firework Frenzy' from Butterfly Kisses. 

Because of all we have to celebrate at the moment over here in the UK, I suppose this challenge should have been easy for me.  I'm afraid my heart wasn't in it this time though.   However  I did get a result in the end.  Well, I couldn't miss one out could I.
I promise I'll try harder with the next one.  Roll on August's Tag.

I've had a little helper around the house today.  Isn't it strange how housework and cooking are so much more fun when a 22 month old joins in ......

He's fast asleep in bed now, the little angel.  I can put my feet up and relax, with a well deserved glass of something red, full bodied and Italian.

Cheers everyone!

Thanks for popping by.  Have a lovely weekend and I'll see you all again next week.

Linda

x

The weekend starts here

Just a quick one .... are you a PINK person?

Hello again,
Another late post - have to catch up when Alex (my Grandson) is in bed.  He certainly keeps me on my toes all day - I'm worn out!  Loving every minute though.

There's a couple of things I want to share with you .......
Firstly, there's a brand new Challenge Blog starting up on the 9th August,

I found it on the lovely Mrs B's blog earlier today and it sounds like fun.
Click here and take a look.  Find out what Priscilla and Patricia (AKA Christine and Sylvia) are up to.  I'm definitely going to try to join in - I LOVE PINK!!!

Secondly, not much in the way of craft to share tonight I'm afraid, except a couple of pages in my Altered Art Dictionary, one from last week and then one I managed to squeeze in this afternoon.
When I started doing this I said I was aiming to do a page a day.  And, it was going so well, but,  I just got all this other stuff to do, and something had to give.  I know they're only small projects but they can take quite a bit of time colouring in. 

frog

This little guy is a Magnolia stamp from the Fairytale collection.  I don't normally do frogs, but I couldn't resist this one - he's sooo sweet! 
I've kissed a few frogs in my time -  eventually found my Prince though - aawww!

mushroom

Another Magnolia stamp, again one I just had to have.

Well that's it for this evening - it's past my bedtime I think.  I'll be back tomorrow at some point, with my Tim tag.  Yes it's finally done!  I'm not 100% happy with this one though, it's not my favourite one.  But, seeing as I haven't got a lot of time to mess about with it, it's going to have to do.  I'll try harder with next months.

See you all again tomorrow,

Night night  xx

Linda

x

Busy again!

Hello everyone,
Yes it's me, it's a bit late I know, but I wanted to do a quick post to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you.  I haven't been around for a couple days because I've been REALLY busy in the old craft room.  Burning the midnight oil and all that.
But, everything was finally finished this morning - or should I say yesterday, as it is now.  It was all photographed, parceled up and in the post at lunchtime - Job done! It's such a nice feeling when everything's finished and I'm happy with what I've come up with.
I've been busy playing with new stamps from Indigo Blu, and they are GORGEOUS.  Loved every minute of it, well almost (smile!).  I can't wait to see what the rest of the DT have been creating.

Kay's back on Create and Craft on Sunday.  It's a 2 hour show this time (yeah!),  so hopefully there'll be lots of demos.  It starts at 12 noon so set your Sky boxes to record,  it's going to be a great show. (Sky Channel 671/Freeview 36/Freesat 813)

Unfortunately I can't give too much away about what's coming up, but I have got a couple of sneaky peeks for you ....... don't tell anyone though will you!

Well, what do you think?  Are you tempted?  Tune in on Sunday, you won't be disappointed.

There is another reason why I haven't been Blogging the last couple of days .........

meet Alex

........... our Grandson, Alex and his mummy are over for a few days.  They arrived on Tuesday evening - eventually.  It was a bit touch and go as to whether they would make it.
At the beginning of the week the Isle of Man was covered in thick mist for two days.  Planes where having trouble landing at the airport it was so bad.  On Tuesday (when they were due to arrive), flights were being cancelled all morning and nothing actually landed at Ronaldsway Airport until 3.15 in the afternoon.  I spent most of the morning checking websites and weather reports, inbetween making show samples.  But, they finally landed  just after 7 in the evening, only 50 minutes late which, considering the day we'd had, wasn't bad at all.  
They must have brought the sunshine with them, because Wednesday was totally different.  It was absolutely glorious here.  We made the most of it and spent the afternoon in Douglas Bay, walking along the prom,

eating ice cream and playing in the park.

 We even went down on the beach, it was lovely (I've actually caught the sun!!).

Let's hope this weather lasts for a while,  they're here until next Tuesday.

With the DT commitments and because I have other things keeping me busy at the moment, mainly one rather cute little 22 month old,   I haven't had time to do any Blog challenges this week - oh no!  And, I've STILL got my Timmie Tag to do for July!   Hopefully, I'll be back at the weekend with that.

Normal service will resume shortly - please bear with me.

Enjoy the sunshine this week, if you're lucky enough to have some and I'll see you all again soon.


Thanks for popping by,

Linda

x

Ta Da!!

Morning everyone,
Hope you're all enjoying your Sunday.  I had a bit of a late start - oops!  so I'd better get a move on.
Before I crack on again with my Design Team samples for Indigo Blu,  I just want to do a quick post and share with you the FINISHED (finally!) Christening card from last week ........
....... yes,  I even made a box for it

...... and here's what's inside

It was nearly finished when I showed it last week, here it is in more detail

The image on the front is a Magnolia stamp, coloured with Copic pens.  The papers I've used throughout
are all from My Minds Eye (I think the range was 'Wild Asparagus', I'm not sure).  As you'll see there's lots of faux stitching around the edges, and everything has been inked with Distress Ink - Stormy Sky.  There's a little bit of everything on here, embossing, die cutting, rubber stamping, inking with masks.   I really enjoyed making this, even if it did take a while.
I know it's for a little boy, but I've used lots of ribbons, a few gems, charms, and paper flowers.  at least they're blue ones - mostly.

First pages inside  .....  I've left some space so that things can be added, photos, journaling etc., and there's a little pocket with a tag to write down the guest list etc.

The cute sentiment is from Penny Black.

You've probably guessed I used two 8x8 scalloped square cards to make this, and joined them together through the middle using some pretty ribbons.

There's another pocket on the left hand page, with a tag to write on.  And  there's also a little space to write the date  (when I got asked to make this card they didn't know when it was going to be).

Final pages ......... somewhere for them to write, and a pocket for photos maybe, or a gift card perhaps.

I couldn't resist using more ribbon, lace and a pretty button to finish it all off - so sweet!

I hope they like it.  I'm sending my brother a link to this blog page then he can have a look. (Wish me luck!)  
Well,  he asked for something special,  and a bit different -  I think that's what he's got.

I suppose I'd better get back to the old craft room.  Still lots to do with the new Indigo Blu stamps. The good thing is I'm liking what I've done so far.
Once they're all done, it's onto some samples for Stamp Addicts.  They have a show at the beginning of August so I've more new stamps to play with.  There's no rest for the wicked!

Stephen's home later today too - yeah!   I've missed him, even though I wouldn't have seen that much of him the last few days.  Good job he's been away really, what with all the craft stuff, and Mr Grey (that's what the late start was all about. reading into the early hours - I'm on the last book!)  It's been a bit of a busy week!! 
Next week isn't going to be any different either.  Samples to do and I've got my daughter and grandson coming on Tuesday

I hope I haven't taken up too much of your Sunday.  Enjoy whats left of the weekend and thanks for popping by.
Ooh, I haven't said 'Hi' to my latest followers.  I've had another couple of you join this week.  Welcome, and I hope I can continue to keep you entertained.

Bye for now

Linda

x

All By Myself ......

Good morning,
Happy Friday!  Is everyone looking forward to the weekend? 
I'm still home alone. Well, apart from Christopher that is, but I don't really see much of him, he's usually in bed till lunchtime - students eh!.
Stephen's still living it up across in the UK, having fun (!?) at the GUKPT (that's the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour).  That means he's playing cards most of the night and sleeping all day so I don't even hear from him until the early evening.  This is great! 
Don't get me wrong, I am missing him  - sigh!  But it's just as well he's not here really, because the next few days are going to be taken up with Design Team stuff.  I'm going to have to spend ALL weekend in the old craft room preparing samples for the TV.  It's a tough job but someone's got to do it!
Sshh ....  don't tell anyone, but here's a sneaky peak of some of the new Indigo Blu stamps .......

look nice, don't they ......... that's me busy all afternoon (yeah!)

First thing this morning though is to finish a card I started earlier in the week.  (Sorry about the picture quality, but I'm really struggling with the light this morning - I think it's just about to piddle it down here in the IOM)

It's for my brother and sister-in-law.  NO, I'm not an Auntie again, it's not FOR them, it's to give to someone else.  One of their bridesmaids has recently had a little boy and they wanted something a bit different, I do hope they like it.
It's not quite finished yet, but I'm getting there.

One more page to do and then a box, should be done by lunchtime. Just hope it's what they had in mind.

Another quick update on my Altered Art Dictionary.  I'm still trying to keep to the one page per day, here's the last couple of days

teacup

I love this stamp.  It's from the Stampin Up! Tea Shoppe stamp set, stamped in  Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Marina Mist and Certainly Celery SU inks.  Each time the teacup was masked before stamping the next.








Yesterdays page was TIME .  This was done with a Kaisercraft clear background stamp, stamped twice, and some Distress Ink brushed around the edges just to highlight.   The 'Time Flies' is from Stampendous and the quote is from another SU set - Sense of Time.
I originally stamped the saying directly onto the page but you couldn't see it clearly, that's why it's on a seperate piece of card.  Looks ok though.




Well, better be off.  There's a coffee cup waiting in the kitchen with my name on  it.
I'll be back to show you the finished christening card later and maybe some snippets of the new Indigo Blu - we'll see.

Have a great day

Linda

         x         

Summertime (and the living is easy) .........

......... that's the title of the latest challenge over at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Hello everyone,
Yes I've finally got around to doing my entry.
The challenge has now moved to a monthly one - yeah! So there's no more rushing around on the last minute which is good.  All the rules remain the same, we just have more time to do it.
Here's my July entry ....

I used the PB 'Sugar Sweet Dreams' stamp and coloured it with Copics.  The sunflower is made up of individual petals stamped in So Saffron and More Mustard inks, each one cut out and layered behind the stamped image.  (Couldn't have done this late on a Friday afternoon). 
The papers are from the K & Co 'Wild Saffron' collection - one of my all time favourites (I love the colour combo).  I've used 3 co-ordinating designs to mat and layer, and the flower embellies are also cut from one of the sheets.
You can see my usual faux stitching is all around the edges and I've added some red vintage seam binding.  There's even a little strawberry hanging there too - a metal charm that's been coloured with permanent markers and then coated with glossy accents - looks good enough to eat!

Summer eh ...... what's that?  Maybe we'll be lucky and the weathermen have got it right - summer starts next week.  I'll believe it when I see it.

I'm going to be a little busy for the next few days.  The postman delivered a box this morning, from the lovely Kay at Indigo Blu, full of gorgeous NEW stamps, NEW flakes and other fabulous goodies to work with.  It's time to put on my DT thinking cap again and come up with designs for the show on Create and Craft at the end of the month.  Don't worry, I'll tease you with some sneaky peaks when they're done.

Have a great day whatever you're up to.  I'm off to the old craft room to play.

See you soon

Linda

x

It's Twinchie Time

Happy Wednesday everyone,

Another quick post today.  Loads of things on the go in the old craft room.  I've made a start on a few projects at least - not finished anything yet though.  Not sure if this was a good idea or not - multiple things on the go -  there's stuff  EVERYWHERE!!!!

One thing I have done though is my Twinchie for the Show Us Your Twinchie  Blog Challenge.
A twinchie is a 2 inch x 2 inch  little 'work of art'.  I know it sounds small but once you get started you'll be surprised what you can get on there.

It's Week #2 and the challenge is SUMMER

Now in my dictionary it says .... summer  the warmest season of the year, between spring and autumn, extending from May to September (yeah right)

I don't know about you but my summer so far has been a warm week sometime in May, a mixture of cold, windy, rainy days since, with the odd bit of sunshine here and there, and the heating still on in June - what's that all about?!
Mind you the weather here can be a little bit, shall we say changeable even at the best of times.  We've been known to get all four seasons in one day on the Isle of Man. 
However, the weathermen are now predicting that it's all going to change next week, SUMMER is finally going to arrive.  Hmm ...... we'll see.  Not putting the raincoat and brolly away just yet.

Anyways, here's my twinche ........ my bit of summer

I can just about remember what the sun looks like.
I used Mustard Seed and Dried Marigold Distress Inks to create the sun and rays sponged onto the piece of card with the edge of some paper as a mask.  The birds are from a Timmie clear set of mini stamps and the grasses at the bottom are just the tip of a Stamp Addicts Wildflower stamp, coloured with Distress Markers.
It made me dream of summer days anyway.
 
Ooh, here's yesterday's Altered Art Dictionary page too (I only managed the one).  The word is bathe

bathe

I've used an old Penny Black stamp I've had for ages, called 'It's you Day' and it's coloured with watercolour pencils, without the water.
I'm so used to reaching for Copics these days I'd forgotten how nice it is to use pencils.  The colour doesn't bleed through the paper either.
I also added Glossy Accents to the bubbles and the champagne glass.
I'm going to try and do at least one of these pages everyday, it's so much fun.   And, you should see the artwork from some of the others doing this, it's stunning.  Why not give it go.

As it's now lunchtime (where has this morning gone!) and I still haven't made a start in the craft room I'd better get a wriggle on.

Have a lovely Wednesday.  I do hope the sun is shining where you are.  Hopefully I'll get something finished this afternoon.

Bye for now

Linda

x

 

All the 3's

Hi there,
Hope you're well. Just a quick post from the not so sunny Isle of Man.
That's right, it's raining again.  Good job I've lots to keep me busy inside. In fact, where has this morning gone! Not that I've spent much time in my craft room - Mr Grey has a lot to answer for!!

I have got my Less is More entry to show you though.
It's ONE LAYER Week (yeah!) and the recipe is .....

That's three of anything - three colours, three stamps, three words, the number three ...... you get the idea.  We still have to keep it clean and simple, lots of white space and of course just the one layer - simples!

Here's mine ..... it's full of 3's

I used the Penny Black 'quite dandy' stamp (3 flowers)
Using a mask, I inked circles around each flower head with 3 different Distress Inks - Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and the new Picked Raspberry  (3 circles & 3 colours)
Added a Hero Arts sentiment (3 words)
And the final little touch was a tiny gemstone in the centre of each flower (3 gems).

I think I've managed to keep to the recipe don't you.

Must dash, hubby's off across to the UK later (sigh!)  I'd better check that he's got everything packed and ready to go.  Where would he be without me!

Thanks for looking.

Bye for now

Linda

x