Staying at home ......

Happy Friday ......

Not sure what to say really.  It's been nearly two weeks since I blogged and since then the whole world has changed so much ..... it's scary!

I hope you're all safe and well, that you're able to get what you need and that you're coping with social distancing as best you can. 
Our little island is now in lockdown with only essentials available.  It's so quiet .... we haven't really been anywhere in the last two weeks except to shop for a little bit of food, and we nipped to the garden centre yesterday.  Not really an essential purchase I suppose but we needed a lawn mower ...... our gardener, bless him, can't work so hubby is going to have to do it.  At least it's excercise!

We're doing OK ..... hubby's working from home although that means I don't get much done. 
We haven't seen the kids properly in two weeks expect for video calls ...... Mother's Day was tough, I think it was the first one ever that we hadn't all been together. 
The 'party' on Tuesday night was interesting ..... a four way video call at one point, with us all in our homes watching YouTube and drinking wine!!  The headache on Wednesday wasn't great!  And then Lauren did pop by the other day ....... we had a coffee in the garden, me at one end of the patio and her at the other! It's all very strange.

My crafting is suffering too at the moment ....... I don't know about you but, I just can't seem to settle.  I think my mojo is keeping it's distance.  My craft room is feeling very neglected.  Hopefully normal service will resume shortly.
I thought I would have a change today see if that helped ........ I'm in the motorhome!
I've had my lunch,  caught up with Facebook and emails and now I'm blogging!

Well ...... Remi's been sat on the drive since we brought him home, poor thing so I thought I'd spend some time in here.  It seems to have paid off ....... I've actually got a few things done so I might be in here more often you never know.
One thing I've done is my monthly Brand Ambassador post on the Uniko Studio Blog.  If CAS floral designs are your thing then pop over and take a look.

Thanks for stopping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day and have a nice weekend.
It looks like the weathers being kind at the moment so maybe our new lawn mower will get it's first use.  Might even fill the hot tub too ........ #socialdistancinginthesun

Take care everyone ..... stay safe.  We will beat this!

Cheerio until next time .......

A quick reminder for this month's CAS Challenges ........

Happy Sunday .......

It's been a busy weekend for blog posts.

Time to remind you about this month's CAS Challenges ...... first up CAS Mix Up .
March is a special month for us ..... we're celebrating our 4th Birthday ..... whoo hoo!

To mark the occasion there's prizes to give away ........

a $25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Certifiate for the Challenge Winner

and ....  a $25 Simon Says Stamp Gift Certificate for one random draw from all the entries

(you must follow the challenge rules to be eligible for the prizes)

Our host this month is the lovely Jenny and the theme she's chosen is ........ Acrylic Paint

We all have them ..... we don't always use them though, especially for card making.  But, all those bottles and tubes or tubs of pretty coloured paints can give amazing results and effects.
Still not convinced ...... then check out the CAS Mix Up Blog for links to some really useful videos full of tips and techniques.

I've used my acrylic paints to add colour to the flowers on this design .......

The piece was originally done for one of my workshops where we were using a faux bleaching effect.

The background was coloured using Distress Ink applied directly from the ink pad onto the card and then swiped across using a wet wipe

Once the ink was dry, I stamped and heart embossed the flower bouquet using a white embossing powder.  Then with a water brush and a paper towel I 'bleached' out the colour from the stamped image.  Simply paint with water over the flowers and leaves and then dab away the colour with a paper towel.  This removes the colour from the image allowing you to paint over the top with pencils, or markers, or in this case acrylic paints

I used opaque Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics from PaperArtsy and mixed them with a little water to make them easier to paint with.

I added a simple stamped sentiment to finish.


Are stencils your thing?  Then how about playing along with the CAS Stencil Challenge .....

This month's theme is all about using your stencils with Heat Embossing

I've simply used Versamark ink through my stencil design ....... applied using a sponge ....... and then sprinkled gold and silver embossing powders over the top and heated in the usual way.

If you wanted a little more dimension to your stencil design, use stencil paste instead of the Versamark, sprinkle with embossing powder whilst the paste is wet, and leave to dry.  Heat the embossing powder once the paste is dry.  This also creates a little more texture too.

I die cut the word star from three snippets of card, layered two of them together and covered the third with Versamark ink and used the embossing powders again.  I did this a couple of times, to create a thicker embossed layer

I attached the embossed word on top of the others and then inlaid it into the stenciled panel.
Finished of the sentiment with a little stamping.

Another fun way of using your stencils.

See you in the gallery!

Thanks for popping by ........ enjoy the rest of your weekend.
We've got the family coming round later ..... don't think they're here to see us, they want to check out the new motorhome I think!

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:

CAS Mix Up
Stamps: Hello Lovely (Concord & 9th); Simply Said Blocks (Uniko); Tiny Words (Simon Says Stamp)
Inks: Distress Ink - Picked Raspberry (background colour); Versamark;
Acrylic Paint: Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic - Wisteria, Lavender, Magic Moss, Granny Smith, Lemon Meringue (PaperArtsy)
Other: White Embossing Powder (WOW!);

CAS Stencil
Stamps: Written in the Stars (MFT)
Stencils: Shooting Stars - Funky Fossil
Inks: Versamark, 
Other: Gold & Silver Embossing Powders (WOW!); Shining Stars Die (MFT)

Is Perfectly CAS your style? .......

Hello there ......

Me again!  I hope you're having a nice day. 
It's been raining all day here, not very nice at all ...... poor Remi (motorhome) is getting wet!!!

Anyway, it's time to get the next Perfectly CAS Challenge underway ...... you know the one, where we want you to create CAS cards using only one third (or less) of the space on your card

This month the challenge is to use Die Cuts .......

CAS ..... using the top third of my card ....... with a cute little die cut scene.

I cut a piece of white card to measure 7x5 inches,  and then used a die to cut the cute little scene across the top

I added a little colour using Distress Inks, and stamped my sentiment underneath.

Onto the actual cardblank I sponged some fluffy clouds in the sky across the top, using Distress Inks and a handmade stencil ......

and then I attached the die cut panel over the top using foam tape for dimension.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your weekend.
We've got the little man overnight so it's pizza and a movie for us I think.

Cherio until next time ......

Products used:
Stamps: Sentiment stamps from a freebie set (sorry not sure which one!)
Inks: Distress Inks - Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint, Fired Brick; Versafine Clair - Paradise (to stamp the sentiment)
Other: Stitched Spring Landscape Die (CUTp;lorations by STAMPlorations)

Uniko Brand Ambassador Blog Hop & Giveaway .......

Good morning .......

Happy weekend! I hope you have a good one.

Because there are no new releases coming from Uniko this month, Bev and the Brand Ambassadors are having a Blog Hop today.   We're featuring the gorgeous Pure Florals - Gerbera stamp set.

I do love this set ...... it's full of beautiful, large blooms, in both solid images,  so if you're not that keen on colouring in your stamped images, you can stamp the flowers using different coloured inks. You also get the outline images which allows you to colour using markers, pencils, inks, whatever is your favourite. You also get some great words and sentiments in the set too.

I've used the outline stamps to create my card ...... simply stamped in black ink and then coloured using Distress Ink and a water brush.

I also used the stamp on a piece of co-ordinating coloured card, stamping with a similar colour of ink and masking the flowers as I stamped, to create a pretty all over design .....

I attached the stamped coloured panel to the front of my cardblank.
I die cut the bottom of the white panel using a stitched edge die, and attached that over the top adding a cute little twine bow

I stamped my sentiment and finished with a few dots of Nuvo Crystal Drops.

As with all the Uniko Blog Hops, there is a Giveaway.  To be in with a chance of winning this gorgeous stamp set all you have to do is visit the blogs in the hop and leave a comment ...... simple.
You've got until midnight (GMT) on the 22nd of March. 
Your next stop on the blog hop is the lovely Rahmat ........ Happy Hopping!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.
Mine's going to be spent playing with our new toy I think.  Getting to know the motorhome a little better .... in other words reading all the manuals that came with it!!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stamps: Pure Florals - Gerbera (Uniko)
Inks: Versafine Clair - BlueBelle, Nocturne; Distress Ink - Mermaid Lagoon
Other: Fancy Stitched Edge Die (CUTplorations by STANMPlorations); Nuvo Crystal Drops, White twine

There's still time to play along with the Craft Stamper Challenge .......

Happy Friday .........

I've just realised it's Friday the 13th ........ not that I'm superstitious, well not much anyway.

I hope you've had a good week.
We're travelling home later today after a brief, but busy, trip to the UK. 
It's been a little quiet in The Craft Lane this week, because we've been across to pick up 'the van' finally!   Yes, we have our new motorhome and he's having his first ferry crossing to the Isle of Man.  We've decided it's definitely a He, and we've named him Remi ...... Remi ,the Rapido!

But, enough about 'the van' for now.  It's time for a little reminder about this month's Craft Stamper Challenge.

The theme is Anything Goes ..... as long as there's actual rubber stamping on your project somewhere.  Be sure to check out the Craft Stamper Blog for the full challenge guidelines ...... you need to follow those to be in with a chance of winning one of the prizes.

As always we have two prizes up for grabs .......
(1) the Design Winner chosen by the DT.
They will get their winning project published in the Craft Stamper Magazine on a two page spread!!! A winners profile on the Craft Stamper Blog and, an invitation to be a Guest Designer on a future Craft Stamper challenge.

(2) the Challenge Winner ....... randomly chosen from all the eligible entries.
They receive the Blog Challenge Prize and this month it's a cracker!  I wouldn't mind getting my hands on these little babies ......

OK, now for a little bit of inspiration ......

I love these new large stamps from AALL&Create.  Designed by the fabulous Tracy Evans, they're perfect for cardmaking or journaling but also they're a great size for creating pieces of home decor.

I simply took a piece of mop card from my stash, and stamped the full image using a black ink. I love all the details.

I also stamped the flower heads onto some scraps of white card, heat embossed them with a clear powder, and coloured them using ZIG markers before fussy cutting.
I then layered up the flower heads and attached them onto the stamped image using foam pads to add a bit of dimension

I found an old photo frame that fit perfectly ...... well almost.  Not a problem though ...... I just removed the glass from the front and because I'd used foam pads to attach the flowerheads they just fit nicely over the edge of the frame.

I finished off by adding a layer of Glossy Accents to the bottles .....

The challenge closes on Wednesday 25th March so there's plenty of time to join in.
Happy stamping!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.
I'm hoping for a nice calm crossing this afternoon.  We have a cabin though so if it is a little bumpy we can try and sleep through it.

Cheerio until next time .....

Products used:
Stamps: Daisy Elegance #266 (Tracy Evans for ALL&Create)
Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne
Others: Clear Embossing Powder (WOW!); ZIG Clean Color Brush Markers; Glossy Accents

We've got it!!! ..... let the adventures begin

Happy Thursday .....

Well the day finally arrived when we picked up our little motorhome  .......

Here he is ....... isn't he pretty!?   We've decided it's definitely a HE.

We picked him up on Tuesday, and we've spent the last two nights at the dealers on their special members area, getting used to being in 'the van'

It's like our home from home, only no craftroom ..... although I do have a journal with me and a few supplies, not that I've had time to use them.
We've been busy finding out what we need and what we don't need.  Turns out, Motorhomers are really helpful and always willing to share their experiences and knowledge ..... much like crafters!

Fancy a little look inside ....... not great pictures I'm afraid
Front to the back .......

Back to front ......

We've got all the essentials ....... the barbeque for outside, folding table and chairs, various hoses and things (leaving hubby in charge of all that stuff).
Cute whistling kettle .......

Nice glasses for the gin .......

And the bed of course ......

We had our first little trip out yesterday which was fun ...... don't think I will ever be doing the driving though, I get into enough trouble in a car!!!!

We're having a few final checks done now and then we start our journey home.   Up to the north west later today to see the family,  spend our first night on an actual campsite this evening and then we're off back home tomorrow. 

We're going to have so many adventures! ..... Living the Dream!

Thanks for popping by ..... have a great day.

Cheerio until next time ......

Birthday Fishes for the CAS Stencil Challenge .......

Happy Wednesday .....

Guess what ..... have I mentioned it's my birthday tomorrow!!!
I'm 29 ..... again, and again, and again. In fact I'm 29 again for the 29th time (hubby worked that one out!!)

Anyway, enough about my birthday ...... it's time to get this month's CAS Stencil challenge underway.
Viv is our host for March, and the theme is ..... Heat Embossing

This is another fun way of using your stencils.
We've all sponged inks and paints through our stencils,  applied some texture paste perhaps. Well, how about trying some heat embossing.  Use your stencils instead of stamps ........ apply Versamark or an embossing ink through the design, sprinkle on some embossing powder and heat in the normal way ..... easy!

Use your coloured inks too, all you need is your ink to stay wet long enough for you to get the embossing powder on the top.
I've used Distress Oxide inks on the above design.  These inks do tend to stay wet for a little while so if you're quick enough you can sprinkle your embossing powder over the top and then heat in the usual way.
Regular Distress Inks also work, Versafine and Versafine Clairs work well too, and I'm sure there's lots more brands that you could use,  just play around with the inks you have.

My background is a mop up piece from my stash ....... I think its just Distress Ink on plain white cardstock, nothing fancy.
I then used a Funky Fossil stencil and applied Distress Oxide Inks through the design

I quickly sprinkled sparkly embossing powders over the top and heat embossed .....

It looks so pretty when the light catches the fish .....

I added a sentiment, and finished off with a few dots of Nuvo Drops to look like bubbles

Need more inspiration?  Then pop over to the CAS Stencil Blog for more fun ideas from the rest of the Design Team and, our lovely Guest Designer ..... Cat (Cat Luvs Paper) who's joining in the fun this month.   You'll also find some useful video links on there too.

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

Not sure if I'm looking forward to tomorrow or not ....... we're out in the evening which will be nice but, I have an appointment at the hospital in the morning.  A simple routine check for a woman of a certain age ....... yes it's time for a mammogram ..... Happy Birthday Me!!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stencils: Shoal of Fish (Funky Fossil)
Stamps: Gill Friends (MFT) - for the sentiment
Inks: Distress Oxide Inks - Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Twisted Citron; Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass (background); Versafine Clair - Warm Breeze (sentiment)
Other: WOW! Embossing Powers - Under the Sea, Glacier, Golden Pine; Nuvo Drops - Sea Breeze

CAS Mix Up Challenge .........

Happy Sunday .....

It's the first of March ..... and this is going to be a busy month!
There's a few birthday's coming up ..... including mine!  We've got Mother's Day and of course the first day of Spring ..... yeah!!! 
And only 9 days until we pick up the motorhome ...... not that we're counting.

A new month always means new Blog challenges ....... more fun themes for you all to play along with.
First up, it's the CAS Mix Up Challenge and guess what? It's our birthday this month ..... whoo hoo!!

Yes CAS Mix Up is 4 years old ..... can you believe it?  And we're celebrating!
There's some special birthday prizes up for grabs ........

a $25 Gift Certificate at Simon Says Stamp for the Challenge Winner 

and ..... a $25 Gift Certifcate at Simon says Stamp for one random draw from all the entries

(you must follow the challenge rules to be eligible for the prizes - check out the CAS Mix Up Blog for details)

OK, this month our host is Jenny  and the theme she has chosen is ...... Acrylic Paint 

There's loads of different acrylic paints out there and lots of fun ways to use them. 
If you need a little inspiration don't worry, check out the fab links on the CAS Mix Up Blog, to some great videos.

One way of using acrylic paints is on a Gelli Plate.
I must confess the Gelli Plate was one of those things that I had to have, in more than one size, but ...... they don't get used very often (shame on me!)  Saying that, when I do use them they are so much fun.
I haven't done anything amazing on the Gelli Plate but, just playing with a few colours of paint, a couple of stencils or stamps you can create some fabulous backgrounds.  And the good thing even if you're not completely happy with your results .... don't throw them away!  Use them with your dies or punches or, like I've done here for this card ........ stamp onto them, fussy cut and paper piece.

I've used one of my favourite stamps from ALL&Create.  I simply stamped it using a black ink, directly onto a card base, and again, onto a piece of card from my stash, coloured using the Gelli Plate.  I also heat embossed the images using a clear powder

I then fussy cut sections of the coloured one and paper pieced onto the image on my card.

If you're not that keen on colouring in your stamped images, this is a nice easy way of adding colour. It also gives a little bit of texture too.

I added some words onto the bottom using a co-ordinating ink. 

So .... that's Acrylic Paint - check!  Rubber stamping - check!  My Choice ..... paper piecing (or it could have been heat embossing) - check! 

I do hope you join in with our birthday celebrations.
We have a fabulous Guest Designer too ...... the lovely Betty (created by bjk) is joining us this month so please stop by and say Hello.

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy what's left of your weekend.
It's Sunday lunch at the Walmsley's today, the whole family round the table plus a couple more ... just the way I like it.  Good food, nice wine and great company .......  what better way to get March started!

Cheerio until next time ......

Products used:
Stamps: Hexagonal Stem #256 (Tracy Evans for ALL&Create); Bloom - for the words(Tracey Hey) 
Inks: Versafine Clair - Nocturne, Charming Pink
Other: Gelli Plate background from my stash made using acrylic paints; Clear detail embossing powder (WOW!)