12 Tags of 2014 ...... flaming June!

Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a good weekend.  It's the last day of the month again ..... half way through 2014 (eeeek!)  That means it must be time for my June Tag ...... for Tim's 12 Tags of 2014 challenge. 
One of these days I'll surprise you all and get this done at the beginning of the challenge and not on the last minute ..... I'm guessing it won't be July though, I'm off the island more than I'm on it, I think next month.  The old craft room is going to wonder where I am.  Only 2 more sleeps then it's off to Gatwick .... an overnight stay ...... then it's Las Vegas here we come!!

I think everything's just about finished in the old craft room ........ I've even got my desk tidy!  I just need to get some parcels in the post tomorrow then I can start on the packing!

As always, last task of the month is my Tim Tag.
Here's Tim's inspiration masterpiece for June ...... how gorgeous is that!

And here's my version ......

I won't go into all the details here, you can check out the techniques and the products used over on Tim's blog.  As always there's fabulous step by steps to follow to create your own little work of art.

I kept things pretty much the same, except different stencil for the background and different colours of Distress. I wanted hot summer shades ..... hence the title of this post.

My butterflies are actually from the Papillon Stamp set ...... I've got the French Flight stamps and dies set on pre-order but it hasn't arrived yet ..... these work fine, you just have to cut them out yourself that's all!

I watercoloured them using Distress inks ...... and attached them with foam pads

I added a few Idea-ology pieces, coloured some crinkle ribbon using the Distress inks and tied a nice full bow ...... a technique from Paula Cheney

To finish off I added a touch of shimmer to the words, using a Stardust Gel Pen

Phew!!  Finally finished ..... with only hours to spare. 

Thanks for popping by ..... time to get the ink off my hands and be the domestic goddess now.  Someone's hungry and apparently can't get to the kitchen ..... well, I suppose the football is on at the moment. 
Hmmm ....... that's why hubby was home from work early!!!

Cheerio until next time.

Linda

xx

Let's get festive ........

Morning!  Happy weekend

Have you got something nice planned or are you just going take it easy? 
It's a bit of a busy one over here ....we have the Queenie Festival going on down in Port St Mary.  A celebration of the sea, they call it.
It's the Poker Stars Annual Pub Crawl today (Saturday).  They hire a coach and then tour the island stopping off at popular watering holes here and there ..... always fun!  This gets underway at around 2 and finishes ..... when it finishes!  I'm giving this one a miss ...... there's still too much to do in the old craft room.  If I go on a pub crawl today, that means tomorrow is going to be a bad day.  So ... I'm taking full advantage of the house being empty, and spending the whole day in the craft room ..... let's hope Mr Mojo has the same idea!
There's also a rather special sporting event happening today.  Never mind the World Cup, or Wimbledon  it's the Nursery Sports Day - whoo hoo!  The nursery where the little man goes is holding their annual Sports Day on Noble's Park this morning ......... Go Alex! Go Alex!
It's his first one bless him ...... so we're off, with the camera of course to cheer him on.

But enough of all that ..... lets go all festive to start the weekend. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Yes I'm still trying to keep up with the Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge
This week we have to use Sparkle, Shimmer or Shine  on our cards .....

Here's mine .....

I went with Sparkle ..... lots of glitter!  I used the Mistletoe Wreath stencil from Sweet Poppy, with white glossy stencil paste. While the paste was still wet I covered it with Glamour Dust, crystal and gold to give the sparkle

The sentiment is from Magnolia, stamped using a red Versafine ink .... I love the delicate font

And to finish off I added a festive red ribbon to the wreath

Did you notice there was no Merry Monday from me last week (oh no!)....... I missed the challenge, because I was away on holiday!   Well ........ I may not have made the challenge but I have made the card! 

The theme was Pink, White and Silver
The white is my card (obvioulsy) the pink is the tree ..... (one of the stamps from Lovely as a Tree from Stampin Up!)

and the silver part is the sentiment ..... it's actually foiled with Silver Gilding flakes but it doesn't show up too well in the picture.

I'm going to be missing another week while I'm in Vegas but I'll catch up when I get back.

Oh well, better get a move on ..... busy day ahead.  At least the sun is shining this morning, it should be nice in the park.
Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy your day and have a lovely weekend.
See you soon.

Linda 

xx

Water, water ..... part 2

Hello again!

Well .... that was a busy morning!  Dropped the little one off at nursery and picked him up again at lunchtime.  Got all the jobs done in town ..... including sorting out the Dollars for next week (it's not a bad exchange rate at the moment!).   And I managed to get my holiday shopping done too ...... not a bad mornings work!   No bargains though .... why is it I never find anything on the sale rail ..... (sigh!)

As promised ..... here's a look at my first attempt at the WATERCOLOUR challenge over at Less is More

The picture's not brilliant ...... and I'm still not sure about the card.  Anyway .... see what you think

I started by embossing the lines onto the front of my cardblank ...... and stamped the words using a grey  Archival ink (that bit I quite like!)

I then cut a piece of watercolour card, to fit in between the embossed lines.
I took a couple of blue shades of Distress inks - Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky, swiped the ink onto my craft sheet and spritzed with plenty of water.
Using a paint brush, I put a wash of colour all over the piece of watercolour card, blending both shades of ink together

I then stamped the birds using grey Archival ink, and then grounded them a little by adding in some green Distress.  I didn't get the colours quite right and i think that's why I'm not 100% happy with it.  I did try it a few times .... this is the best of the bunch!!

Anyway, to finish off I stamped the birds on the inside too, and added a touch more watercolour around them.  Definitely one for the boys!

Well .... after that busy morning I think it's time to put my feet up for an hour in front of the TV .... maybe I can catch up with some of the tennis.   It's either that or start the ironing!   Hmmm decisions, decisions ..... feet up with a cuppa I think!

Thanks for popping by.  I'll be back tomorrow with my festive make for this week (and last weeks!)
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx

Water water everywhere .....

Morning ....... Happy Friday!

Have you all had a good week ..... most of mine has been spent in the old craft room, and there's nothing wrong with that!  Except I've been missing out on all the sunshine ....... apart from yesterday that is.  The  weather's changed over here ..... the wet stuff's back!!  Just in time for the Isle of Man Queenie Festival at the weekend.

Speaking of water ....... it's a 'Theme' week over at Less is More and the challenge is we have to use ....

WATERCOLOUR

Now I'm no artist ..... I never was any good at painting, or drawing, and I must admit I wasn't happy with my first attempt at the challenge ..... the second ones not much better but hey! time's running out!  See what you think.

There's loads of watercolour stamps around at the moment, where you add the colour directly onto the stamp, rather than stamping the outline and then colouring in the image ..... the easy way to do it I call it!

You can colour in stamped outline images using watercolour pencils, and then blend with a wet paintbrush.  Or use your ink pads ...... the Distress Inks are fab for this, they work so well with water.  That's what I've used here ......

Even though we're watercolouring we still have to keep things CLEAN & SIMPLE, not forgetting to leave lots of WHITE SPACE ..... I think I've managed it!

This is my second attempt (I might come back with the first one later .... it's growing on me the more I look at it!)

The pretty bloom in the centre is my 'watercolouring' ...... I think it's an old Inkadinkadoo stamp but I'm not sure

I've stamped it using Watering Can Archival ink then added the colour using a paintbrush, building up the depth with each layer.
I applied Picked Raspberry Distress ink directly onto my craft sheet, spritzed with water then used the ink like a paint.  A touch of Mustard Seed and Wild honey for the centre....... and jobs done.


The words are from a set called The Big, the bold and the Happy, by winnie & walter.  A fab little stamp set full of really useful words to make your own sayings .......

I stamped them using the Archival ink again, then using my paintbrush I picked up some of the Distress ink from my craft sheet and flicked it over the words.

I followed the design on the inside of the card too .....

Same flower, and more ink splats!

A bit of a girly card using watercolour.  My first attempt was a little more masculine ..... if I get a minute later I'll show you.

Thanks for popping by ........ I'm off into town this morning, boring stuff like the bank and the supermarket (oh joy!) .... but I'm meeting hubby at lunchtime to do a little last minute holiday shopping ..... who knows I may just grab a bargain (or not!!)

Enjoy the rest of your day and have a great weekend.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Stop the week ..... I wanna get off!!!

Happy Wednesday!

I can't believe we've been home since Sunday (Sunday evening that is) and this is the first time I've had to blog!  Where is this week going??

This time last week we were relaxing in the beautiful Cotswolds, visiting amongst other places, the lovely Cotswold Lavender Farm in Snowshill.
I love this place, it's so pretty and the smell is just amazing (the lavender shortbread's not too bad either!!) 

As well as the lavender fields there was a stunning wild flower meadow which you could walk through ....

How pretty is this .....

Fragrant lavender ......

and beautiful wild flowers .....

The bees were having a great time .....

We had to finish the afternoon with a lavender tea in the Tea Rooms of course,  and I did bring some of the delicious shortbread home with me .... there's not much left though!

We all had a lovely week in Pear Tree Cottage, I would recommend it to anyone.  We're already planning our next trip!

So ..... it's back to normal.   The old craft room door is open again, and as usual it's busy, busy, busy!
This time next week, I'll be running around, doing last minute ironing, checking lists, making sure I've got passports, tickets etc., etc.  Yes ..... I've just about got time to unpack, wash and iron everything then pack it all again before we leave the island on our next little trip ...... LAS VEGAS this time!  Have you seen the temperatures out there ........ over 100 degrees and rising every day ........ it's going to be a HOT one, better not forget the sunscreen!!

But, before I can board that plane I need to get some work done ..... that means I can't sit around chatting all day (unfortunately!)  So ..... off to the craft room it is .... for the morning anyway!

You can also find me on the IndigoBlu Blog today, with a little home decor project for you ....... something to 'light' up those summer evenings perhaps.  Hop over and take a look if you have the time.

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day.  I'm going AWOL from the old craft room this afternoon (don't tell anyone will you!)  I'm off out for coffee (and probably cake!) then I'm going to someone else's craft room ...... I've been asked to take a brayer with me (oh no!).  It's the one craft tool that makes me really nervous ....... so as you can problably guess mine's hardly been used.  It took me a while to find it actually ...... I'll let you know how I get on!

Cheerio until next time

Linda 

xx

It's challenge time again - Tag ........You're it!

Morning folks,  Happy Weekend!

Well, the holiday is nearly over (sigh!) We'll all be back on the Isle of Man tomorrow evening .........  for a short while at least anyway!

The old craft room door will be open again Monday, and things should get back to normal ..... busy! in other words.

We left the beautiful cottage in Bourton-on-the-Water yesterday (Friday) and are now back in the North of England, spending time with family and friends.

Today's main task is to drive over to Sheffield and clear out Christopher's student flat .... oh joy!  Uni is finally over, and he's decided to come home to the Isle of Man.  We just need to get all his stuff and hope that it fits in the car!!!  Then it's the long wait until he actually graduates later in the year ...... I'm one proud mum!!!

Anyway, another important event today is the launch of a brand new challenge over on the IndigoBlu Blog.
Thanks to everyone that entered last month, we had some fabulous Monochromatic designs, glad you all had fun with the theme.
Congratulations to our winner ......  number 17

Eve

and also the Top 3 chosen by the DT.

This month's theme for you to all have fun with is ......

Tag ..... you're it!!

Create something fabulous but use a tag on there somewhere.  Your projects could be tag shaped, use an actual tag, make a tag book ..... the choice is up to you.  Just remember to use IndigoBlu stamps ONLY, and have fun!

You know me .... I love making tags.  I've got an oversized, hinged version for you today using images from  the IndigoBlu Boadicea stamp set .........

I started off with a large black tag (approx  5x10.5 inches) and cut off the bottom 2.5 inches.  I then punched 3 holes across the bottom of the large section and three across the top of the small one, so that the two pieces can be joined together later on.

I applied Flitter Glu through the IndigoBlu Flourishes stencil, randomly over both pieces of the tag, covered with Manchester Tart Mega Flakes and scoochied off the excess in the usual way

Don't forget, if you use Flitter Glu through your stencils you need to wash them straight away .... just like you do with your stamps.

I then stamped the Boadicea image onto a piece of Kraft cardstock using a brown ink, and cut it out using the Sizzix Alterations Vintage Cabinet Die

I added some shading around the edge using Aged Mahogany Distress ink, and also a little onto the stamped image.
I used a Stardust Gel pen to add some highlights around her, and then using a very fine paintbrush I painted some strands of her hair with Flitter Glu and then added more of the Manchester Tart Mega Flakes

I stamped the word 'Courage' from the same stamp set, onto some Kraft card, cut around it and attached it to the bottom, and added another of the sentiments to the top. The whole thing was then attached onto the large part of the hinged tag

For the bottom section I cut a piece of cardstock big enough to fit the large sentiment from the stamp set, added a touch of colour using Distress inks and this time I used the same Flourishes stencil but inked through it instead of the Flitter Glu.
I used my Flitter Glu around the edge along with the Mega Flakes, to give a nice border

I added some eyelets to the punched holes in both tag pieces and then joined them together using jump rings. The words were attached onto the hinged section, and then the tag was finished off with some painted Altered Egos.

Tag! .... you're it!   Now it's your turn.  You have until 8pm on July 20th to get your entries in ....... and you could be our next winner.  Have fun and good luck everyone!

Thanks for poppin by ...... enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio until next time

LindyLou

xx

CC3C .... Challenge #4

Morning!  Happy Thursday,

Another lovely day here in Bourton ..... we're having a lazy day today I think.  It's our last full day before we load up the car (with more stuff than we had when we arrived!), and head off back up to the North West.

Before we do all that though I've got a little craft project to share with you - yeah!!!  It's my entry into the latest Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge.

Hosted by the lovely Linda Ledbetter, the challenge is sponsored this week by the Funkie Junkie Boutique,

There's a $25 Gift Certificate for the winner, along with a fabulous collection of goodies from Tim and Mario for the Curiosity Crew's Choice.

So what's challenge #4 all about then ........

 

Oooh ... texture paste .... great fun!!  I won't go into any details here, you'll need to refer to the book to learn about the technique, but here's my finished project ......

A tag ..... with the stencilled texture paste in the background .

I followed the technique from the book and coloured the tag, and then used various stencils and stamps to add in more detail.  I used the Wendy Vecchi Brick Wall stencil with white texture paste ......

and the colours of Distress stain I used are Antique Linen, Bundled Sage and Victorian Velvet.

The mannequin is from the Stampers Anonymous set Haberdashery (CMS105), stamped onto manila cardstock, and then cut out and decorated.

I used some fabric flower ribbon, coloured using the Victorian Velevet Distress Stain,  and tied a pretty satin bow around her waist

Her wings are the large butterfly from Papillon (CMS106), stamped using a green Archival ink then cut in two and attached to the back of the mannequin.  I added a metal heart charm from my stash to finish it all off.

 She was then attached to the tag using foam pads to add dimension.

The words are one of the stamps from Random Quotes (CMS182)  and have been stamped using the green Archival again, then each line has been cut individually and arranged on the top of the tag.

To finish off I added some metal cogs and gears and another butterfly from the Papillon set, and used the same colours of Distress Stains to colour the ribbon for the top.

All done ..... that just leaves one more DT piece to blog at the weekend, and then it's back to business as usual .......... for a little while. 

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

Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx

Finally ....... a minute to blog

Happy Wednesday folks!

Welcome to the new followers who've joined me recently ....... it's so nice to have you along. Thank you for spending time here.
There's not a lot of craft going on in the old Craft Lane this week I'm afraid ....... I'm enjoying a nice relaxing week spending quality time with the family.

The cottage is beautiful ... a real home from home with everything we could possibly need and more .....

This was waiting for us when we arrived on Friday ...... soooo good with a nice cup of tea after the drive down ...... yum!!
 
Here's bit of a whistlestop tour of the week so far ...... Cheltenham at the weekend  for the Food and Drink Festival.  Lots of good food, fine wine and a 'zebra' burger sat in the park ......

Sunday was Father's Day ..... and we had a lovely day in Bourton-on-the-Water.  The kids took hubby for a drink ....... Cheers!  Happy Father's Day Grandad

We sat by the river after a nice lunchtime meal out  (we went Italian even though they beat England the night before!!!)

And the afternoon was rounded off with a family game of football ........

Could this be the next David Beckham? .......

Monday was a busy day ...... a trip to Thomas Land over at Drayton Manor .......where we rode on buses, cars, planes, troublesome trucks and of course Thomas

We even met the Fat Controller ......

Tuesday we were in Birdland in Bourton, home to, amongst other things,  England's only collection of King Penguins ......

There was also pretty flamingos .....

Owls .......

 And Chris found a friend too .....

A nice refreshing beer by the river while the little man fed the ducks .....

saw the end to another beautiful day in the Cotswolds ..... this is the life!!

Oooh ....... a rare picture - our two together ......

And I think the little man enjoyed his day .....

Well, I think I've gone on long enough about the holiday .... thanks for sticking with me.

I'll leave you with a little crafty something ...... last month's ATC's for the monthly swap that I'm part of.  The theme was ANIMALS .....

I went with frogs .... not my favourite creature but these little guys are soooo cute .....

They're all from a Penny Black 'T' for Transparent set, which I think is called Toadily Happy .... and they've been coloured using a mixture of pencils, Copic Markers and Distress Inks.

The sentiment on the last one is from the Dylusions stamp set ... The Right Words, stamped and then each line cut individually before positioning onto the ATC

Phew!! what a busy few days ..... and the holiday's not over yet.

I'll be back later in the week with the second half of our Cotswolds break.

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy your evening.  It's football and a bottle of red here ...... cheers!!

See you again soon

Linda

xx