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

Have you tried Bleach Blocking yet ....... ?

Morning everyone,

Happy Friday!  I'm actually sat on a ferry, crossing the Irish Sea when this post goes live, so fingers crossed that the weather's ok.  I don't do bumpy water!!!
As of this afternoon, this is where I shall be spending the next 7 days ..... relaxing, hopefully in the sunshine, with the whole family on holiday together ........ that hasn't happened in a while!

Pear Tree Cottage

As it's the second Friday in the month, it's time to remind you all that the latest Craft Stamper Take It Make It Challenge is well under way ..... have you had a go at the Bleach Blocking technique yet?  If not there's a whole new collection of  inspiration pieces from the DT over on the Challenge Blog .... go on why not give it a go!
As always there's a great prize up for grabs ..... this month our sponsors are the fabulous IndigoBlu!

Plus the winner also gets their work published in Craft Stamper magazine too!!

The challenge is all about Bleach Blocking ..... creating interesting backgrounds using Distress Inks, blending foam, and good old clean water to get that bleached out look.

Here's what I came up with .....

You can see I've created the look of a wall behind the flowers.  The colours have come out quite pale but I think it comes across ok.

I started by cutting a piece of white cardstock to fit on the front of a 6x6 square cardblank .... allowing for an extra layer to be added behind (the pink layer).
I then coloured the card using Distress inks ..... Antique Linen, Dried Marigold, Scattered Straw and a touch of Aged Mahogany around the edges.   I took a piece of blending foam and cut it in half, before soaking it with water.  I then 'bleached out' the brickwork design all over the inked card

I stamped the grasses across the bottom using a green Archival ink ........  how pretty are these

They are actually from a new IndigoBlu stamp plate that's available, at the moment, exclusively from Craft Stamper magazine.  They're part of the gift you receive when you subscribe .... how good is that!?  Your favourite craft mag delivered to your door each month and gorgeous, new IndigoBlu stamps to add to your collection ...... thrown in!!!  Sounds good to me ...... I renewed my subscription as you can see!

The cute little tulips were made using the new Penny Black die ..... Dainty.  I've cut the die twice from green cardstock, then cut the flower heads again from pink and yellow cardstock.  They've then been layered up to add a bit of dimension, and attached over the stamped grasses.  They've even got drops of morning dew on them .... well actually it's Glossy Accents that's supposed to look like dew!!!

The words are one of my favourite stamps from Tim Holtz, stamped on a piece of white card inked using the same colours of Distress as I used for the background

A bit of matting and layering to finish it off, then it's been attached to the card to look as though it's hanging on the wall.

No bleach blocking on the inside, just the grasses again.

I've kept things CAS.  A touch of Distress ink in one corner, and I've taken away some of the colour by using the good old water flicking technique (another way to get the bleached look) before I stamped over the top

Are you feeling inspired yet?  It is quite a fun technique to do ..... and remember .... there's that fab prize for the winner.

You have until midnight on Wednesday 25th June to get your entries in, and the winner will be announced on the blog on Friday 27th.  Go on .... get bleaching! 

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend.  I'm looking forward to a week of good food, nice wine and great company.

Good luck in the challenge.

Linda

xx

That Friday feeling .....

Afternoon folks ......

Twice in one day eh!   I said yesterday I was trying to catch up with everything and it's going ok .... so far! Even the household stuff is getting done.

It's time for another Blog Challenge ....... on the last minute as usual, but hey! better late than never.

It's time for Less is More , and this week's challenge is all about .....  COLOUR

 

We've been given a choice too, we can either use

THREE COLOURS

or

THREE SHADES OF ONE COLOUR

Hmmmm .... in the end I went for Three Colours ....... blue, gold, and black (wasn't sure if I had to include my stamping colour so I did, just to be on the safe side)

I've been playing with the latest stamps from IndigoBlu ..... did you see Kay launch them on Create & Craft earlier in the week?

I love them .... especially the Under the Sea set which is what I've used here.

I masked off the rectangle panel on a piece of white cardstock and then applied my colour (Salty Ocean Distress ink).

I spritzed with a little water to remove some of the ink, then stamped the bubbles over the top using the same blue ink.

The fish was stamped and embossed with a clear powder, then coloured using the IndigoBlu English Cottage Acrylic Paint in the brand new Metallic Gold colour. 

 Just look how this paint shines when the light hit its ...... gorgeous!

I finished off by adding the words above the fish, and of course a little something on the inside ....

Job done!!

Right .... need to get a move on now.  We're out this evening (no Grandma duties!)  

We're off to a Wine Tasting at our favourite wine store ..... The Wine Cellar in Douglas, then probably into town for a bite to eat later. I'll have to try and be good though .... I don't want all that hard work on the treadmill this week to go to waste.  Yes I have actually been on 'the beast' ..... I've done an hour every morning, nothing too strenuous mind, just a nice brisk walk whilst watching 2 episodes of Emmerdale.  I haven't really been watching what I eat ..... you know me, I love my good food but, I have lost 3lbs, so it's a start! If I keep that up every week I'll be pleased.

Thanks for popping by (again!)

Enjoy your Friday evening and I'll see you again soon

Linda

xx

Where did April go ....... ?

Evening folks,

A bit of a late one I know ...... busy day and all that.
Welcome to my latest followers .... thank you so much for taking the time to read my ramblings.  It's nice to have you along.

It's back to normal in the old craft room this week ...... a 'To Do' list as long as my arm, DT projects to do, weekly blog posts to prepare, and it's the last day of the month tomorrow ..... and guess what? .....  still no Tim Tag done.  What have I been doing all month ..... who knows!!!

I did have a fab day last week, spent with three lovely crafty buddies playing with rubber stamps, inks, gilding flakes, you name it ...... and there was cake ...... and chocolate!!!

Here's what we made ....... first up another version of one of my cards from the March issue of Simply Cards & Papercraft

Using that gorgeous Rose Blush stamp from IndigoBlu ..... my current favourite (have I mentioned that!)
Here's the orignal that was in the magazine

I designed the cards for the day, to show how you can create different looks using the same stamp.

Card number 2 ....... a bit of black and white

This is so simple, just a stamped image, in black, but then part of the design stamped again and highlighted with a touch of colour, and attached using foam pads

Finally .... card number 3 ....... a bit of masking, distress inks and spritzing

If you really don't like colouring in a stamped image, colour your card first and stamp over the top.
One of my favourite ways to do this is to mask off a section of my card, add my colour, remove the mask then stamp the image over the top of the inked panel so that some of the design overhangs the edge .....

We also added a touch of gilding flakes ... the easy way.  Just use strips of double-sided tape (I use the ultra tacky stuff) and apply the flake over the top.  Smooth down and scoochy off in the usual way .... simple but effective

We're hoping to make it a regular gathering I think, taking turns on hosting, which should be fun.

It's back to normal though this week ...... you'll find me back on my weekly blog spot at IndigoBlu tomorrow.  Here's a little sneaky peek for .....

Pop over to the DT Blog tomorrow morning (Wednesday) to see this in full detail.

Oh well,  it's nearly bedtime.  An early start tomorrow .... the car needs to go into the garage first thing, hubby is off to London for a couple of days, with work, and then I'm off out for a spot of lunch and a craft workshop in the afternoon ........ but before all that I have an urgent job to do in the old craft room ..... my Tim Tag!!!  Let's hope I have what I need eh!

Thanks for popping by ........ night night!

See you all tomorrow .....

Linda

xx

It's Wednesday ....... it's the 21st ....... it's challenge time!!

Morning everyone,

Happy Wednesday!  It's the 21st of the month again, and the start of a brand new Forever 21 Challenge over at Indigo Blu.  First though, Congratulations to (drumroll please) ...........

Norma A   

our fab winner from last month.   Thanks to everyone that entered, there were some great Christmas designs.

Onto this month though, and the new theme is ........

Shabby Chic

What exactly is 'shabby chic'?  Well, if you're not sure, you can find a description on Wiki   My idea of 'shabby chic' is vintage style, distressed yet feminine looking, something that's been treasured for years.  The look of worn paint, with hints of ribbons and lace.  Lots of flowers and pearls.

What do you think? .......

 

I found this lovely photo frame in a little shop in Broadway, in the Cotswolds. (I actually bought a couple as they were really cheap - wish I'd got more!) 

I removed the glass panel and just did a touch of dry brushing on the frame with some of the Indigo Blu English Cottage Artist's Acrylic Paints - Pink Iced Gems and Frosty Sky, to give that aged look.

I then lightly rubbed over the frame in places, with some Flitter Glu and added Winter Dawn Mega Flakes
(my favourite of the flakes I think ....... apart from Chariot of Fire, Royal Peacock, Autumn Blaze .... oh well, I guess I just like them all!)

The stamp set I used is called Music Hall.  This was one of the first sets of IndigoBlu stamps to find it's way into my collection - I just love the words.

I cut a piece of white card to fit inside the frame, then added some colour using Distress inks - Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick and a touch of Pumice Stone just around the edge (I'm loving this colour at the moment!).  You can see I left the centre of the card white as I wanted the words to stand out a little once the frame was finished.

I stamped the words onto a Post It note, cut around them and made myself a mask.  With the mask in place, in the centre of the piece of card, I stamped the sheet music from the Music Hall stamp set using Onyx Black Versafine ink, second generation stamp.  I then removed the mask and stamped the flourish in two opposite corners using FlitterGlu and the Winter Dawn Flakes

 

The actual words have been stamped onto the front of the glass panel, using Black Stazon ink, then both the glass and the stamped card were put back into the frame.

To decorate the frame, I added lots of paper flowers, resin roses, and metal leaves.  I've added a couple of pearl hat pins, some vintage seam binding and a pretty metal bird cage charm. 

The final touch was the banner across the bottom.  The words are from the Music Hall stamp set again, stamped onto a scrap of white card, cut into a ribbon shape and curled to add the look of movement.

Hope you like it.  Are your inspired to create something 'Shabby Chic'?  If you are, you have until 8pm on the 20th September to get your entries in.  I can't wait to see what you all create - Good luck!


I'm also entering this into a couple of other challenges that are running at the moment ......
There's one over at CountryView Crafts, where the theme is Quotations and Sayings  I think it fits the bill there.
And then there's Our Creative Corner.  Their current theme is Words, Words, Words, again I think it qualifies, don't you.
Not bad eh, 2 challenges and a DT piece in one! Whoo Hoo!!

Thanks for popping by.  Enjoy the rest of the week.  Mine's going to be a busy one, I need to get back in the old craft room and get some work done! 
I've had my hands full for the last few days, with this cuddly little monster .......

...... no time to craft, what with train rides, looking for pirates, carousels, walks on the beach and an exciting day at a party, there just wasn't enough hours in the day. 
He went back home yesterday (sigh), so it's quiet again around here.  Lots to keep me busy though.  I need to get samples done for the weekend (eeeek!) - Kay's back on the telly on Saturday.  I'm not sure of the show times yet, I'll check on that and get back to you.

Oh well, can't sit around here chatting I'm afraid. It's time to grab another coffee and lock myself away for the rest of the morning.  See you later.
 
Cheerio for now

Linda 

xx

Christmas ........in July!!!!!

Season's Greetings, and a Happy Monday,

I'm sorry to mention the 'C' word again, especially as the sun is still cracking the flags outside.  We're all thinking about barbeques and salads along with tall glasses of something cool, not trimming the tree, roasting a turkey and hot chocolate by the fire.

But, it's that time in July again when there's a brand new Indigo Blu Forever 21 Challenge., and this month's theme is ..........

CHRISTMAS IN JULY  (Ho! Ho! Ho!)

The challenge is actually launching a day late this time, but we do have a good reason for that .......... we were all a little busy with the Indigo Blu Open Weekend.  Thanks to everyone involved and to those of you that came along and made the opening a huge success.

Before I show you my DT inspiration though, Congratulations to the winner of the last challenge ......

 No. 14   Almo

Well done and thank you for taking part in the challenge.   I hope you enjoy your prize.

Indigo Blu recently launched their brand new range of Christmas stamps, so we thought it was the perfect time for you get your thinking caps on and start designing this years Christmas cards. I know some of you will have already made a start, but  if you're anything like me, the festive stash is still well and truly locked away (well it was!!!)  Panic usually sets in about the middle of November when I realise just how many Christmas cards I need!

Each year I have good intentions.  For instance, in January this year I said I was going to make at least one Christmas card every week.  How many have I got so far ........ 0!   The only Christmas cards I've made so far are the one's for the TV.  Not to worry, there's still loads of time ...........

Here's some inspiration to maybe get you started ....

I've used the Stag Cliffhanger stamp - love this!

You can see it is all one stamp, but just by masking off the bottom part (the Christmas sentiment), you could actually use the stag all year round - great for men's cards I think. Don't lock this one away at the end of December.

I've made a large 8x8 design here, but you could make this smaller.  Or, maybe just use the stag scene for the cards you send to everyone and his dog (well, it is Christmas) and use the larger design for family and special friends.

The background panel was done using the Baubles Flourish (another of my favourite stamps - this is going to get used a lot!).  I've stamped the flourish part around the edge of a piece of cream cardstock using Coffee Archival ink, then inked the edges with a touch of Vintage Photo Distress.  I've also picked out all the dots within the design, and used a Quickie Glue pen over them, left the glue to go tacky then covered them with Chariot of Fire Mega flake.  Left it to dry completely, then scoochied off the excess.

The winter scene was created using masks, hand cut from copier paper, and Vintage Photo Distress ink.  I masked off the bottom of the stamp, inked it up using the Coffee Archival again, then removed the mask BEFORE I stamped the stag.

The extra bits of foliage around the edges were done using just the tips of the tree - first and second generation stamps, to create a bit of depth.

Everything was then mat and layered using red and Kraft cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment part of the Stag Cliffhanger onto cream card using Crimson Red Versafine.  I then cut around it, mat and layered to match the rest of the card, and added a pretty organza bow.

I finished off with just a touch of fine crystal glitter to highlight the snow .....

Are you feeling festive yet? Want something a little quicker to make?  How about this one .....

Really quick and easy, using the stunning new Baroque Bauble.
8 x8 again.  Stamp the bauble, towards the top left hand corner, using Flitter Glu.  Cover with Mega Flake, I used Winter Dawn, and scoochy off the excess.
Make yourself a mask to cover the bauble.  With this in place, stamp the bauble again, this time using a metallic ink, and stamp slightly overlapping the one that's masked.
  

Add a pretty bow and some gems to finish.

Have you got the festive spirit now?   Why not dig out those Indigo Blu Christmas stamps and get creating.
You have until 8.00pm on August 20th to get your Christmas in July entries in.  It may just have cooled down a bit by then - or not!

Have a great week.  I'm looking forward to seeing all your festive designs.  Good luck to all of you.

Happy crafting!  Oh, and Merry Christmas!!!!!!
Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Remember, Remember .....

Morning all,
Just a quick post to remind you that the lovely Kay Halliwell-Sutton from Indigo Blu is back on our TV screens this evening.
Tune in to Create and Craft between 6 and 7pm, Sky channel 671, Freeview 36 or Freesat 813.
Kay will be demonstrating with some favourite Indigo Blu stamps,  as well as launching some brand new sets, here's a  peek at one of them .....

It's a special set of stamps perfect for all those mens cards and gifts, and ideal for the month of Movember.  Kay will explain why. 

If you really can't wait until the show, details can be found on the Indigo Blu Website.

I've had some fun with these stamps, even done a couple of pages in my Altered Art Dictionary .....

Top Hat

moustache

So make a date, today, 6-7pm, Create and Craft.  You won't want to miss it.

I'm off now to the craft room.  I have a date with some sample wedding invites.
See you again soon.

Linda

x

Happy Birthday Dad!

Morning folks,
Friday again.   The weeks are just flying by!  I'm looking forward to the weekend though, nothing planned this week (makes a change) so we're just going to see what happens.

It's Stephen's Dad's birthday today - Happy Birthday Dad! (don't think he reads my Blog, but you never know, so I'll say it just in case!).
Now you know I don't make a lot of MEN cards - they always prove a bit of a challenge.  So I couldn't exactly go to my card supply and pull one out ready to go in the post.  I had to get my thinking cap on, put aside my pink inks, ribbons and lace (oh no!) and make one.
Here it is .......

Indigo Blu does it again!  I love these stamps, they're great for mens cards.  I used 'Take the Time' (my favourite, favourite set!) for the pocket watch and the cogs (both embossed),  'Grand Tour I' for the air ship (coloured with Distress markers),  Map - background for one of the layers, and the splodge from 'Yorkshire Evening Post' on the backgorund paper.  This is one of those really useful stamps to have in your collection, it's great for backgrounds, or adding that distressed, aged look to a project - I love it!
I used papers from the gorgeous 12x12 Ledger Pad by Prima (the brown square is from my bit box - not sure where that came from), the Weathered Clock, and the wings on the pocketwatch (Tim Holtz Sizzix dies) are cut from Kraft-core cardstock.
The picture isn't brilliant - sorry about that.   The lighting is rubbish in our house, but as I wanted to get the card written and in an envelope ready to go, it was taken about midnight.  Anyway, you can just make out some 'Fran-tage' embossing on there. (If you click on the picture you can see it a little bit better).   This is my current obsession, so no doubt you'll be seeing a lot more.

I've had the powders for a while but hadn't really used them.  After watching Fran last week on C& C I decided to get them out again and play. 
This is what I used .......

They're Embossing Enamels, which give a 'shabby chic', vintage, aged look.  They're a little bit different to your normal embossing powders, they're thicker, chunkier crystals mixed in unique colours to give a worn look.  The one I used on Dad's card was the 'Aged Silver'.
The cogs have been stamped in Versamark then Fran-taged.   Then I've just rubbed the Versamark pad along the bottom corner of the brown layer, sprinkled the Fran-tage on top, but didn't brush off the excess, then heated from underneath.  As the powder starts to melt you can add more on top until you're happy with it.  I think it's a fab effect.
I bought the set because I wanted to try a few of the colours (well I couldn't just get the one pot now could I!)  They do come in bigger, individual pots too. Once these have run out (which won't be long the rate I'm going) I shall be restocking my favourites and more.
I bought mine from The Stamp Man.  It's a great little craft store, fab service too.  They also have FREE P&P on orders over £20, even to the Isle of Man! 
They stock the full Fran-tage range, all the glitters and fragments too - gorgeous!  They also have some fabulous stamps on there, why not take a look.

Speaking of deliveries to the IOM, look what my lovely Postie brought me this morning ......

oooh .......  a box from 'Art From the Heart'.  What could possibly be in there .....

...... my first pieces of the yummy new Christmas Idea-ology from the King of Distress - Tim Holtz!  Can't wait to play with those trees.  I've got my hands on the new Metallic Distress Stains too, and the glitter.  Exciting or what! Just need the new Alterations dies now, and the paper stash, and the trinkets, and the chit chat and ......... best leave it at that I think!
There was also the Daily QVC Delivery (as my other half likes to call them!).  This isn't exactly true anymore, I was the QVC Queen at one point but I don't shop with them that often now.

I do still have to have my skin care fix every now and again.  Well, I need all the help I can get!

On that note I'll say Cheerio!
Thank you so much for popping by, and thanks for all your lovely comments this week.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
Crafty hugs from a rather breezy Isle of Man

Linda

x