Last job on the list .......

Happy Sunday,

How's your weekend going?  We had a lovely day yesterday, starting off at the Queenie Festival.  We did the usual, ate our Queenies, bought some lovely seafood, and caught up with the local chefs and their cooking demos on how to serve one of the island's delicacies.  This year it was pan fried Queenies on a Saffron Risotto with Cherry Tomates and Parma ham - nom! nom!
As always, we had a wander around the craft market and I treated myself to a little something ........

A beautiful shabby chic, vintage mirror.  Needs a little touch of paint here and there, but hey, I'm sure I can sort that out!  Something else to add to the 'to do' list.

Speaking of the list, there was just one job left on it for June - my tag for Tim's 12 Tags of 2013.  Seeing as today is the last day month, I thought I'd better do something about that.

This month it's all about watercolouring using the Distress Markers.  Here's Tim's tag ......

and here's my version ......

Not quite as colourful, the same design though, with a little LindyLou touch added.

I didn't really have a lot of time to play around with this month's tag - nothing new there, I'm always on the last minute!  So, I  followed Tim's instructions pretty much to the letter.  The only things I changed were some of the colours.  I used Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass and Crushed Olive to colour the wings, blending the colours with my waterbrush, and Faded Jeans for the body.

I added in a touch of Worn Lipstick, and Dried Marigold into the background and used Pumice Stone for the shading.
Doing the splatters and spots onto the background was fun and gives a really nice effect.

To colour the tag itself, I used Gathered Twigs Distress ink, Salty Ocean Distress Paint and just a touch of Wild Honey stain.  Everything was stamped using Black Archival, first and second generation stamping, and I decided to add some words to the bottom (from the Dylusions stamp set 'Quintessential Quotes')

I also added some co-ordinating vintage seam binding ribbon, and mat the watercolour artwork and my finished tag onto some black cardstock.

To finish it all off I added a touch of  Clear Rock Candy Glitter to the wings ........

Phew!!  All finished in plenty of time.  That's June's list all done and dusted, July's is already pinned on the craft room wall.
It's going to be a busy, busy week next week, I've got some DT samples to make for Sam Poole's Create & Craft show on the 22nd - brand new stamp designs, looking forward to that.  I've got some DT work to do for Indigo Blu, and loads of prep work for something that's happening in a little under 3 weeks time .........
I can't say too much yet (because I don't know that much), but what I can say is, it's really exciting and it's going to be lots of fun.  It also involves me getting on a plane so whatever it is ....... it's happening in the UK.

Thanks for popping by today.
I'm off now to share the kitchen with the other half.  Tonight on the menu it's Hot Smoked Salmon for starters, followed by fillet steak, and a nice bottle of red.  Hubby cooks the steaks, and I do all the trimmings.  Pity he doesn't share in the tidying up afterwards though.  Thank goodness for the dishwasher!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Thank Goodness it's Friday!

Hi there,

Finally I've got chance to grab a quick coffee and sit down and blog. 
How is everyone?  I've managed to keep the germs at bay thankfully - I haven't time to be ill!

Where has this week gone!  I don't seem to have done that much but I haven't had a minute to spare. The old craft room looks like a bomb has hit it - no change there then!  The rest of the house is beginning to look the same, but at least the mountain of ironing has disappeared, for now!

I've been busy all week trying to catch up with everything. There's just my Timmie Tag to do over the weekend and then that's June done!  Half way through the year already - eeeek!!

I've spent most of this week working with the Craftwork Cards Goody Boxes .......

I showed you a few samples on Mondays post, using the Happy Days box.  Here's some of what I made using the Black Magic ........

Just adding a touch of colour changes the look of one of the papers that you get in the kit

I've used Copic pens, but you could use watercolour pencils, chalks, inks, whatever you've got on your workdesk.
Of course I had to add, not one, but two of those adorable bows from the Paper Bows pad

Something quick and easy .......

A touch of Candi added to the centre of a punched daisy gives a nice finish.

I also made something for the craft room .......

Now you don't get the doorhanger in the Black Magic kit, I made mine from a piece of chipboard, and it's been covered using one of the papers.  It's then been decorated with die cuts, ribbon and candi all from the kit.  The only other things I've added are the words, done using the Printers Block Alphabet stamps and the bow .....

I've finished this one off with a piece of silver candi just for a different look.

More Candi finishes off the design.

Speaking of Candi, Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog are showcasing Craftwork Cards Candi in their latest challenge ....... Anything Goes
There's 2 prizes up for grabs ........ a fabulous Card Candi Box from Craftwork Cards, full of lovely Candi designs and a set of Alphabet stamps that fits perfectly onto Candi, and there's also a $50 voucher to spend at the Simon Says Stamp store
Seeing as the theme is 'Anything Goes', I think my door hanger qualifies don't you.  Why don't you give it a go.  You don't have to use Candi on your projects, but it would be nice if you did!

I hope your weather's a bit nicer than we've got here today - it's raining!!!  Let's hope the sun decides to show his face again this weekend though, it's time for the local Queenie Festival down at Port St Mary

If you don't know what queenies are, they're Queen scallops, a Manx delicacy.

This weekend sees a celebration of the sea, with lots of events and entertainment going on. Local chefs will be doing cooking demonstrations on what to do with your Queenies and there'll be a market down there selling local produce.  So it's seafood on the menu here this weekend - yum!

Hope you have a good one.
Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Monday again ......... and time for a winner

Morning everyone,

Happy Monday!  Hope you've all had a good weekend.  I've spent most of mine avoiding the rest of the family ....... they've got the dreaded lurgy!  There's been a lot of coughing and sneezing going on, so I'm keeping well out of the way.   I think Lauren started it all off last weekend when she came over, (what a nice sharing family we are).   I'm probably speaking too soon, but I've managed to avoid it so far, let's hope it stays that way.  The craft room door is staying firmly closed for now, with me on the inside!

First job this week is to announce the winner of the Create a Wreath Kit from my post last Thursday, as part of the Craftwork Cards UK/US  Blog Hop.
All the names were put into a hat .......

 and the winner was chosen at random (my son picked it out)

and the winner is .......... (drunmroll please) ............

It was the first comment on my blog post frommm ........  

 Lizzy

Well done Lizzy!

Please email ...... info@cratftworkcards.com with your postal address, and your prize will soon be on it's way - enjoy!

You'll find a full list of all last weeks winners, both in the UK and the USA, over on the Craftwork Cards blog  tomorrow.  Have you been lucky too?

Speaking of tomorrow, it's also my day to post on the Craftwork Cards blog.

I've been busy playing (oops!  there I go again) I mean ..... working with, the new Craftwork Cards Goody Boxes.  I was lucky enough to get all 3 just before I went away on holiday, and this is the first time I've had chance to have a look at what's in them.
They're great value for money, there's load in there.  The one I've been using is the Happy Days box ....

here's what you get inside ........

20 cards and envelopes

Brand new Happy Days 8x8" paper pack

Messages

Message bands

Ribbon

Diecuts

Flowers

Candi

Wow!  It's a really colourful selection, great designs, nice and bright for all those summer projects.  Here's just a few quick and easy card ideas ......

Do you like the pretty bows?  Aren't they cute?  They're available in a die cut Paper Bows pad that's absolutely full of them - 144 in fact!!!

They come in two sizes (you can see both on my cards),

the large one ....

and the smaller version

There's lots of different designs that all co-ordinate with the current Goody Boxes, and they are so simple to put together.  Definitely a must have, I think.

If you check out the Craftwork Cards Blog tomorrow, you'll find more of my designs using this kit.

I suppose I'd better get a wriggle on and get everything finished.

Before I dash off though, I'd like to say Hello and Welcome to my latest followers.  It's nice to see the number's still growing.  I really do appreciate you all taking the time to share my crafty journey.  It's nice to know I'm not talking to myself! 

Thanks for popping by today.   Have a great Monday, and enjoy the rest of your week.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Summertime ........ Forever 21 Blog challenge

Happy Friday,

And it's the longest day too ....... more daylight time to spend in the old craft room - yeah!!
I've been up since stupid o'clock this morning so it really will be a lonnnnng day for me.  Just as well though, I had an early doctors appointment and I've still loads of catching up to do.  Well, I will go away on holiday I suppose!

As it's the 21st of the month it means we have a new challenge over on the Indigo Blu Blog. Before I tell you what the new theme is ....... thanks to everyone that took part last month, as always there were some amazing projects, you're such a clever bunch!  But, there can only be one winner, and  CONGRATULATIONS go to .................

Number 8 ......... Sara 

Well done Sara, your tag was gorgeous.  Enjoy your prize.

On to the new challenege.  The theme is............  

SUMMERTIME

Lets see all your cards/canvases/altered art etc. with a lovely summery feel.
What does summer mean to you?  I think of blue skies, warm breezes, long walks and barbeques with friends (had to have food and drink in there somewhere!)  The blue skies we've had this week, and the warm breeze.  Did loads of walking while we were away on holiday, but not had a barbie yet!!! Maybe this weekend.

Oh well, here's my version of summer .........

I started by stamping the gorgeous Take Flight bird onto some Indigo Blu Stamping card, then I cut the circle aperture around him.  If you saw Kay on Create & Craft last night she gave a fabulous tip for doing this using Nestabilities.
Decide where you want your aperture to be, I place my nestie and draw round it lightly using a pencil.  Cut around the part of the bird that's inside the circle.  Place your nestie back into position underneath  the cut out part of the bird, you can use some low-tack masking tape to hold it in place, then cut as normal.

I then took another piece of white card large enough to go behind the aperture, and stamped the Wild Flowers.  My summer sky was done using Distress Inks and a mask to make the sun, and the poppies I coloured with Copic Markers.

The little bird I coloured using Distress Ink Re-inkers and a water-brush, but you would use Copics/Pro-markers, water colour pencils, whatever you have in your stash really.  I stamped the little guy again cut out one of his wings and layered it over the top to add a touch of dimension .......

I also used my trusty white gel pen to add some highlights, and a spot of Glossy Accents to his eye.

I used the Wild Flowers stamp again just in the corners of the front panel to add a bit more interest, and then added a touch of Distress Ink around the edges.

The little flower scene was mat onto a piece of black card then the aperture piece was layered over the top using foam pads.

A bit of doodling around the aperture finishes the card nicely.  Hope you like it.

It's been hard thinking of summer these last few days, things have been a little on the 'festive' side around the old craft room.  Myself, and the rest of the Design Team have all had our Christmas hats on making lots of seasonal samples for Kays shows on Create & Craft/Ideal World.  Hope you all tuned in to watch the launch of the 2013 Christmas range, what do you think? Have you all got your Christmas cards and gifts planned now?
Don't forget Kay's back on our screens today too - 3pm & 8pm on Ideal World.

Well that's it from me.  I look forward to seeing all your SUMMERTIME entries on the Blog.  You've got until 8pm on July 20th to get your designs in.   There'll be another great prize up for grabs so get those stamps out.

Have a lovely weekend.  Hope it's summertime where you are.

Happy crafting!

Linda

xx

My first Blog Hop

Happy Thursday,

We're having a glorious week over here, so I do hope the weather's behaving itself where you are too.

All this week members of the Craftwork Cards Design Team in the UK,  and our fellow DT members across the pond in the US, have come together and are hosting a  'Create a Wreath' Blog Hop.
Each day there's been 2 posts from each DT showcasing fabulous creations using some of the pretty Create a Wreath Kits, available from Craftwork Cards, and craft shops across the UK.

Now, I do love a good Blog Hop, and I'm so excited as it's my turn today, to join in the fun.
You may already be joining in and hopping, in which case today you'll have already seen Stacey's blog across in the USA.
So, once you've finished here, it's time to go back to the US and visit the lovely Mandee to find out what goodies she's been creating, then it's back to the UK with our very own sparklygirl Tina.
If you've only just found out about the hop and want to catch up with all the posts, you'll find a full schedule of who's posted when over on the US Craftwork Cards Candi Blog

My wreath was made using the Party Time kit.  How pretty is this ....... lovely bright colours, perfect for all those summer occasions.

Everything comes in the kit to make 2 complete wreaths.  You get 2 chipboard shapes, the papers to cover them with, loads of die cut flowers and 2 gorgeous co-ordinating organza ribbons.  Full instructions are also included, but it's really up to you how you decorate them.

 

You'll find more details over on the Craftwork Cards Blog.

Just to add to the fun too, Craftwork Cards are giving away Wreath Kits each day - 2 in the US and 2 in the UK.  To be in with a chance of winning one, all you have to do is leave me a comment, either here on my blog, or over on my Craftwork Cards Blog post today.  The winner will be chosen at random, and they will receive a Wreath Kit of their choice.

Thanks for popping by.  Enjoy the rest of your day.

Happy Hopping

Linda

xx

Find me on Bloglovin ........

Morning everyone,

Yes I'm finally back from my travels - yeah!  Actually I arrived home on Monday but, I've been so busy that this is the first chance I've had to get on here (no change there then!)
We had a fabulous holiday, can't wait to go back again.  I hope I didn't bore you all too much with my pictures and stuff.  Thanks to those of you that did share in our Italian adventure, it was nice to read your comments everyday.  

I finished my trip off at the weekend with a couple of days in the UK, catching up with family and friends, and of course, I went to see the one and only Mr Rod Stewart in concert at the Manchester MEN Arena, on Sunday night.

What a great night it was, and thanks to Susan for getting us such fabulous seats.  We were about 10 rows from the front, just off to the side, level with the end of the stage.  See him ....... I could almost smell his aftershave we were that close!

It was the perfect end to an absolutely fabulous 2 weeks.

Ah well, back to all the crafty stuff now ..........
Things have been a little busy in the old craft room since the doors opened again.  While I've been away on holiday, my fellow Indigo Blu DT buddies have been working their little socks off so I'm now trying my best to catch up.
Why all the rush? .......... I'm glad you asked.  There's something very exciting happening next week on Create and Craft.  I can't say too much, but all will be revealed very shortly (if you tune in to C&C regularly you may have already had a hint or two).
Starting on the 18th June they're launching ......................... No! Sorry, I can't tell you,m my lips are sealed.   What I can say though is that the lovely Kay Halliwell-Sutton will be there, which usually means lots of new Indigo Blu goodies.  Not only that, she's on air for four days ...... yes,  FOUR DAYS!!!!!  Trust me, you won't want to miss any of it.  Put the date in your diary and keep a look out for show times. 
Here's a little tease of what I was up to yesterday ........ keep it to yourself though won't you!

Any ideas?

Something to do with the 'C' word ............ maybe.

I'm going to shut up now before I get into trouble.  Tune in Ideal World 11pm on Tuesday 18th June, you're in for a treat!

While I've been away, I've read a couple of posts about changes going on with Google, and how Google Reader is closing on 1st July ???!??   Now I'm not entirely sure how, or even if, this will affect my blog in any way, or my followers, or those blogs that I follow regularly.  I'm not that clever when it comes to computers, things have to be pretty basic for me, so,  I'm just going to have to wait and see, and sort things out if and when they happen.

I don't know about you but, I currently get notifications of blog updates from my Reading List when I log on to Blogger, some people seem to think that this will all disappear come 1st July, some say that it won't.  I also have a couple that come via email too, but I don't think these will be affected. 
So, in preparation for 1st July, and, to hopefully make sure that I don't miss any of the posts on your blogs, I've joined Bloglovin (you can find my blog on there too).  I believe that this is the link ....... see this is me just doing what the website tells me ....... I've 'claimed' my blog on Bloglovin this morning and it said I had to post this text in a blog post ...... so here it is

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5770859/?claim=zkegzkbmvkp">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Hopefully I won't lose any of the blogs that I currently follow, and I hope you won't lose me!
You can find the Bloglovin button in my sidebar.

Oh well, I'd better get back in the old craft room.  There's still a lot to do before next week.

It's nice to be home!

Thanks for popping by, enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Why not finish on a HIGH ......

Morning,

And what an early one it is for me.  I'm not used to this getting up with the birds lark.  It's been 2 weeks of relaxing mornings, with coffee by the lake while we decide what we're doing/where we're off to that day.

Oh well (BIG sigh!).  All good things must come to an end so they say.  So ......  it's stupid o'clock, the birds are singing, and I'm blogging!!! Just wanted to fill you in with the last of my Italian Adventure.

Well I said we were going to make the most of yesterday, didn't I    Where did we end up then - ST MORITZ!   That's right, we had a 'quick' drive over to Switzerland.  Stephen wanted to see some real mountains, so we headed into the Alps.

Oh boy!! He certainly got mountains.

We drove up to Bellagio and caught the ferry across to Varenna, then we drove the 100 (ish)  mile trip across the Italy/Swiss border and headed up the Maloja Pass to St Moritz.

What a fabulous drive, breathtaking scenery all the way ......

and lots of mountains ........

I wasn't too sure about the pass though ....... I don't really do heights ......

You can see how the road winds it's way up.  We were already pretty high up but this thing went up to 5955 feet - now that's high!
But, we drove up there .......

wiki picture

Steep climbs, and hairpin bends at every turn, I'm glad the other half was driving.  Eventually we reached the top .......

Wow!!! Stephen saw his mountains.

We had dinner in St Moritz, then of course we had to drive back.  I didn't fancy going back down there in the dark so we didn't have much time to look around.   We headed off back to Lake Como ....

And there it is ........ My Italian Adventure. 

The bags are all packed and it's time to say Goodbye to Lake Como and leave for the airport.  It's been a fabulous 2 weeks, we've really enjoyed the break - seen a few places too.  It's back to the UK and time to plan the next one.

Thanks for sharing it all with me, and for the last time ......

Arrivederci!

Un sacco di amore dalle rive del Lago di Como xxx

Have a great weekend.  hope the sun's shining when I get there.

Hugs

Linda

xx

Venice ......... part 2

Ciao!

Ah well, it's our last full day on the banks of Lake Como (big sigh!).  After a storm last night, we had thunder, lightening, the lot,  the sun is shining again so we're going to make the most of it.
I've started the packing and the tidying up of the villa, finished the book that I was reading (not sure if it was worth it, but I had to know what happened at the end), so I think we're going to have one last trip out somewhere today.

But first I wanted to share what we got up to on our day in Venice.

After the lovely evening we had listening to the music in St Marks Square ........

........ we got up Wednesday morning and wandered back in there.  No rain clouds in sight, just beautiful blue skies and fluffy white clouds

We'd missed breakfast at the hotel (why is it always so early???!!!) so we decided we'd sit at one of the many cafes and enjoy a scrumptious continental breakfast al fresco ....... (now that, I could get used to)

It was rather delicious, I won't say how much it cost ........ although dinner in some places would have been cheaper!!!!  We're worth it though!

After 'brunch' we went for a stroll around the beautiful streets of Venice.  I just love this place, everywhere is so magical and romantic .......

We walked down to the Rialto Bridge .......

and watched the world go by for a while ..........

I have this thing about Venetian masks, I know some people say they're a bit scary but I love them, I'd have them on every wall if I could.

The shops are absolutely full of them and they're all stunning.  How I would choose one I've no idea

The mask I have at home didn't actually come from Venice, mine was bought in the next best place though - the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.  It made it all the way home in one piece too.
One of these days I do intend to buy one of these stunning pieces from Venice.  I'm hoping that one year we'll make it to the Carnival - wouldn't that be fab!

We wandered along to the famous Harry's Bar .....

and had Bellini cocktails (hic! hair of the dog and all that) .....

Then sadly, it was time to go back to the hotel, collect our bags and head back to Lake Como ........

It had been a fabulous two days, busy, but so worth it.  Hopefully it won't be eleven years before we're back again.

We stopped off at Lake Garda as planned and had dinner, before getting on the motorway for the drive back.

Garda is so different to Como, it's huge! and so still ....... 

We stopped in a place called Sirmione, down at the bottom of the lake, on a little peninsula.  It's only a tiny place but apparently one of the busiest, and I can see why.

It's tiny streets were filled with shops and restaurants .......

and they've even got a castle ......

Well that's just about it from Italy.  We've had a lovely trip, crammed just about as much as we could into it.  I think we're all rested and relaxed ready to get back to normal next week.

First though we have a couple of days in the UK to look forward to - the holiday's not quite over.  We arrive back in Luton on Saturday then we're spending the weekend with family and friends. 

I'm off to see Rod Stewart in Manchester on Sunday night, I can't wait. 

And of course I'll be catching up with all my craft buddies at some point too.  Here's to yet another great weekend.

Thanks for popping by today, and thank you to all those of you that have shared in my Italian adventure.  Hope you've enjoyed reading about my trip.  Don't forget it's not quite over yet though.  Watch this space!

Also why not pop over to the Creative Studios DT Blog this afternoon.  It's my day to post and I have a couple of quick and easy designs for you today using one of the lovely Sam Poole's latest stamp sets. Here's a little sneaky peek of one of them ......

Have a great day, and enjoy the weekend.

Arrivederci!! 

L'amore da lago di como

Linda

xx