It's almost time to head home ........

Happy Friday ......

Ahoy there!! ......... from the Norfolk Broads.

Well our week long cruise is almost over (sigh!)  We're making our way, slowly, back towards Wroxham and the boatyard today, ready to handover the boat on Saturday morning.

I was hoping to have blogged a little whilst we’ve been away but unfortunately the internet has been a bit hit and miss.  Fingers crossed that this post has gone live as scheduled!!

I’ve got a little reminder for you today, for this month’s Craft Stamper Challenge

As always the theme is Anything Goes ....... you just have to include some actual rubber stamping on your project.

As we’ve spent the last week or so messing about on the river I thought a water themed project was an obvious choice .....

A really simple card, but I’ve used a few different products and techniques.

I started out with a piece of cardstock I found in my bits box, which I think has been coloured using Distress Oxide Inks with a little bit of metallic/pearlescent ink in there too ..... looking at it, it was possibly a mop up piece from a previous project

I stenciled the scale design over the top using Translucent Stencil Paste ........ I’m going for the mermaid look!!

I then stamped the fish and heat embossed him in gold, coloured him using Sparkle Inks and then fussy cut.

The sentiment was stamped onto a piece of card that had been stamped with a woodgrain design. I added some tiny brads and then attached it to the card front using foam pads.

I added the fish underneath and finished off with a few water bubbles using Nuvo Jewel Drops,

As always there’ll be two winners ..... the Design Winner which is chosen by the DT. They will get their winning project published in the Craft Stamper Magazine, a winner’s profile and, be invited to be a Guest Designer on a future challenge.

The Challenge Winner, randomly chosen, will get their hands on this month’s fab prize ...... four of the new Stazon Pigment Ink Pads AND 2 sets of Jane Davenport stamps!!

You’ve got to be in it to win it though ...... see you in the gallery!

As I've said, this years family holiday is almost over.  We’ve had a great week cruising the Norfolk Broads doing absolutely nothing!!    The weather has been gorgeous ..... we did have rain on the Saturday when we arrived but, the rest of the week has been lovely and warm, with sunshine and an occasional cool breeze ..... perfect sailing weather.

I’ll fill you in on what we got up to once I’m back on the island ........ with proper internet!!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a great weekend!

Cheerio until next time .......

Products used:

Stamps: Under the Sea (IndigoBlu); Woodgrain stamp (Stampin Up!)

Inks: Distress Oxide Inks (various colours - blues, greens a touch of pink), Delicta Golden Glitz; Versamark; Versafine Clair - Nocturne, Morning Mist, Sparkle Glitter Inks (Crafter's Companion)

Others: Scales Backplate stencil; Translucent Stencil Paste (Sweet Poppy Stencils); Gold Embossing Powder (WOW!); Jewel Drops (Nuvo)

Is it time to put the tree up yet? .......

Happy Monday .....

I hope you've had a lovely weekend, and that it wasn't too wet and windy where your are. The sun is shining here this morning so finger's crossed it's going to be a nice week.

We're staying in a cosy little bungalow called Robin's Nest.  It's so cute, has everything we need. We've been settling in over the weekend, as well as catching up with family.

It's the start of a brand new week.  Only 6 more to go ..... and it will be Christmas Eve.  Just saying!!
We were actually looking at Christmas trees over the weekend .... not that we need a new one, but ..... they were soooo pretty!

I'm starting this week with another Christmas tag ...... I'm really getting into the spirit of things now .... Ho! Ho! Ho!  

I'm playing along with the 12 Tags of Christmas with Loll & Friends

I'm up to Day 7 ....... and I've gone for the CAS look again.  (I'll have to make do with this Christmas tree for now!)

If you've been following this years 12 Tags event you will have seen all the fabulous, festive designs from Loll and her Friends, along with all the gorgeous tags in the link up gallery ..... there's so much inspiration, and we all need tags at this time of year!  Go on ..... join in the fun!

As I said, I've gone for the CAS look again, using one of my favourite embossing folders ..... SU's Softly Falling

I stamped the tree first onto my tag, using Olympia Green Versafine ink, and then ran it through my Big Shot using the EF

A touch of glitter on the branches, and random 'snowflakes' adds some festive sparkle.  And of course a little greeting on the bottom .... and that's another tag done.

I'm getting quite the collection now.

I might even have some parcels to put these tags on later.  We're off to the Christmas Markets in Manchester later this afternoon ........ I'm so excited!  Gluhwein and bratwurst, delicious hot chocolate and Stollen, and hopefully a few nice bits and bobs to fill Christmas stockings.

photo from the Manchester Evening News

There won't be too much mulled wine though ...... we're meeting up with some friends there later and then we're off to a Brazilian restaurant ..... I think its Brazilian anyway.

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

Cheerio until next time .....

Two cards ..... two challenges

Happy Tuesday ........

It's been a funny old day ...... it's been foggy here for most it, which was not good.  Our little island doesn't cope well with fog! 
First off the plane that brings some of the mail didn't arrive this morning ..... it couldn't land because of the fog.  Possibly why there was nothing through the letterbox today .... no craft stash delivery!!
And then the practice/qualifying session for the racing, which is due to run this evening because it was cancelled last night, has been a bit of a worry all day.
I think it is finally going ahead, a statement was issued earlier saying conditions have cleared considerably this afternoon on the mountain so, fingers crossed everything goes according to plan.  Did I mention we've got the MGP (Manx Grand Prix) on at the moment.  It's practice/qualifying this week, then race week next.
Oooh ..... the sun has just appeared, so we might just get a nice evening after all.  I hope it's shining where you are.

I'm playing along with a couple more challenges today ....... first up, CAS Watercolor

As you can see, the theme is Sunflower ...... 

I found this piece in my bits box whilst I was looking for something else, and thought it would go nicely with the challenge.
It's actually a leftover from a workshop I did I think ...... a stenciled mono print using a pretty design from Inkylicious.  I'm not sure but it may actually be a daisy, but I think it looks a bit like a sunflower so hopefully I'll get away with it!

I've used Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink (I think!) directly onto the stencil, spritzed with water and then placed the inky side down on a piece of watercolour card

I love how the finished image isn't perfect.

I swished one of my brown ink blending brushes around the centre to add just a touch of colour, and then stamped the sentiment over the top.

Now for something a little more festive .......... the CAS Christmas Card Challenge

I couldn't resist this one .... you all know how much I love my Christmas tree, and I love how this has turned out .... may just make a few more like this

The tree is from IndigoBlu, stamped in Old Olive ink from Stampin Up!

I then ran the card through my Big Shot with the Softly Falling Embossing Folder (again from SU)

I added a touch of glitter to the tree and some of the snow ......

And finished with a simple sentiment ......

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day.
I'm off back to the craft room to check on a mirror.  I'm painting the frame so that I can hang it in the spare bedroom.  It's only been on the to do list for about 5 years!!

You wouldn't believe what I've got done whilst hubby is in Australia.  My craft room has had a major clear out, I've been through nearly everything .... except my stamps.  That's too big of a job for now!  Kitchen cupboards and drawers have been sorted and cleaned.  Wardrobes sorted and tidied.
The refrigerator has been emptied and cleaned, we won't go into what was in the back of there!  And then this morning I started on the window blinds ..... he won't recognise the place when he gets home.  He definitely won't be able to find anything.  That'll teach him to go on a business trip without me!!

Now ..... what's next on my list?

Cheerio until next time ..........

Going for Gold with the Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media challenge

Happy Sunday evening .....

I hope you've had a nice weekend ..... the good thing is, here in the Isle of Man, and the UK, it's not over yet!  We've got a lovely Bank Holiday tomorrow ..... no early Monday morning start, and the weather forecast is looking good! 

It's time for another challenge now though ...... fancy some Mixed Media?  Then pop over to the Happy Little Stampers blog because it's time to get this month's  Mixed Media challenge underway.
The theme for May is ......... GOLD!

I've gone for adding a little bit of gold heat embossing onto a pretty MDF heart, using one of my favourite IndigoBlu stamps .....

I painted the heart with white gesso, and then covered the front using a piece of the Tim Holtz Botanical Collage Paper 

I added a touch of colour to the paper BEFORE I laid it onto the MDF which had been given a coat of Ranger's Glue and Seal.
I used Distress Inks on the back of the paper so that the colour wouldn't run when I applied the medium again over the top to seal the paper to the MDF.

Once everything was dry I then heat embossed the gorgeous flourish over the top with a gold embossing powder ......

On the back, I gave the heart a coat of a pale grey paint and dry brushed over the top with white to give a worn look .....

and then heat embossed that gorgeous flourish in full, again using the gold powder .....

I love how this looks ..... it could be used as a decoration or why not use it as a beautiful tag on a special gift.

As with all the HLS Challenges there's a $20 Gift Certificate for the Challenge winner, which will be doubled if the winner has used Happy Little Stampers stamps on their project.

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day.  And if you have the Bank Holiday tomorrow .... enjoy it!
We're hoping for a repeat of today .... its been glorious!  We've had blue skies, and sunshine all day ...... it's been lovely.

And yes, the BBQ was on again earlier.  I don't think I've used the kitchen at all this weekend .... it's great!
We popped into Douglas this afternoon ...... went to see Chris in his new place and had a lovely Sunday lunch down there. He's had a busy week but the hard work has paid off .... The British looks fab! 
We popped round to see Lauren too, who was putting together a HUGE trampoline in the garden for the little man .......

guess who had a fun afternoon there! No ...... I'm not talking about me ..... although hubby was quick to try it out!!! 
Then it was back home to enjoy the afternoon sun, sat in the garden with a good book.

We drove along the prom and it was really weird ..... Manannan's Cloak was coming in across the bay .... or was it a heat haze perhaps!!

Manannan's Cloak is this strange wall of mist that occasionally comes in low across the sea and covers the island, supposedly to shroud it and protect it from unwanted visitors.  It's fascinating to watch it come in .....

It obviously did it's job today ....... we're still here!

Cheerio until next time ......

Why use one tag when you can use four ......

Happy Monday .....

Brrrr ..... it was a bit chilly here this morning.  Glad we finally switched the heating on last night ...... still can't believe we lasted this long without it!   Could be something to do with me having my own personal summers .... you know what I mean!!!

I hope you all had a good weekend ..... ours was fab! Lots for great food, nice wine, the best company ever and lots of laughs.  I won't go into details but ...... I'm now known as Lola!!!  Don't ask!

It's the start of a new week and it's a short one for me ..... I'm off across to the UK on Thursday (whoo hoo!!)  More about that later though ..... I've still got lots to do before I close the craft room door.

First up this week is ....... November's Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenge

As you can see, this month's theme is ..... Tag!

Now you know me I love making tags ..... and I seem to have done quite a few recently, so when I saw this month's theme I decided why stop at one .... why not use lots of tags ...... so here we are with four of them ..... on one card!

The tags all started out the same size ..... approx. 4.5 x 10.5 cm and they were cut from red cardstock, black, kraft card, and a manila tag.
Let's start at the top ..... with the red one

Simply stamped using a grey ink and Black Versafine and a couple of the layers from an Altenew stamp set.

Next up was the Kraft tag ....... covered with patterned paper and then stamped over the top with a gorgeous flourish stamp, heat embossed in white ......

One of my favourite IndigoBlu stamps next .... the gorgeous Jane

Stamped onto the manila tag using Black Versafine ink with a tiny bit of colour added using Zig Markers for the eyes, and Distress Ink for the cheeks and lips.
I then masked off the face before I stamped the script in the background

Last but not least .... the black tag

Stamped with the gorgeous flourish again and heat embossed in gold.

I took some red, black and white inks and splattered a piece of Kraft card

 
The edges were brushed with Aged Mahogany Distress ink, and the sentiment stamped and heat embossed in gold across the bottom

Each of the tags was cut to a different size before attaching them to the card and a little piece of lace knotted on one of the tags adds the finishing touch.

Now it's your turn ....... don't forget, there is a prize for the challenge winner ......  a $20 Gift Certificate to spend in the HLS Store
Happy stamping!!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day.
I've been busy in the craft room trying to get through the To Do list. As I said earlier we're off to the UK on Thursday.  Hubby and I are having a few days away ... he's off to spend time with his buddies whilst I'm off the Happy Little Stampers Craft Retreat ..... can't wait. 
I am keeping my eye on the weather though ...... we're on the boat!!!  Last week, the sea was like a mill pond everyday.  It's been a little bit on the choppy side today but ......... that can all change by Thursday ......... it could get worse!  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a smooth crossing.

Cheerio until next time ......

Only 156 days to go ...... until Christmas!!!

Good morning everyone,

Happy Monday to you all ......  
Yes I'm back from my holidays, and just about over the jet lag!

It's the 21st of the month again and that means the launch of a brand new challenge over at IndigoBlu.

Before I give you this month's theme though, Congratulations go to .......

Claire C

our winner from last month's Tag You're It! challenge. Well done Clare ..... enjoy your prize!
As always there were some fabulous entries, thanks to everyone that joined in.

I know it's only July but ..... have you started thinking about your Christmas projects yet?  Well now's your chance.  This month's challenge theme is all about ......

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Ho! Ho! Ho! and all that .... it's time to get festive.  There's even some brand new IndigoBlu Christmas designs for you too, all available on the website.  I've used a couple of them on my inspiration piece for you today ......

The pretty new Snowflake Lace ...... a beautiful new background design, and the cute little Dinkie Merry Christmas Circle  (popular stamps with the rest of the Design Team too!)

I started by cutting a piece of white cardstock 5x5 inches square and added a touch of colour around the edges using a couple of shades of blue distress inks - Broken China and Stormy Sky.  I then flicked a little water over the top, let it sit for a few seconds, then mopped up the excess using kitchen roll.

I then stamped the Snowflake Lace over the top half of the card, using Majestic Blue Versafine ink, then sprinkled with a sparkly clear embossing powder

I then cut a layer of navy cardstock, and using the Snowflake Lace again, I stamped part of the design randomly around the edge using Versamark ink.  I then dusted over the image with a pearlescent white chalk

Next, I stamped the Dinkie Merry Christmas Circle onto white card, using the blue Versafine again and embossed as before

I mat this onto a larger circle of navy card, and attached it underneath the snowflakes.

I added a satin ribbon bow, and some clear crystal gemstones to give the look of a hanging bauble

A few more gems dotted here and there on the front of the card, and of course some of the design on the inside finishes everything off nicely .......

Now it's your turn ....... come on, let's get into the Christmas spirit ...... Ho! Ho! Ho!
You have until 8pm on August 20th to get your entries in ...... have fun and Good Luck!  Oh ..... and Merry Christmas (sorry .... couldn't resist!)

Thanks for popping by.  Have a great week.

Cheerio until next time

LindyLou

xx