Time for a Twinchie.

Hello there.  Happy May!

Hello and welcome to my latest follower too. It's nice to have you along.
We're up to 95 now, not far to go to reach the 100 mark.  I'm working on the blog candy, so that when it gets to 100 one of you will be chosen at random to receive a little something as a Thank You for taking an interest in my little part of Blogland.

I'm starting this month the same way as I finished last - playing catch up!
I can't mess about this month, I've only got a little over three weeks to get everything done, then it's time for me to get on a plane again.  Italy here I come.  Two weeks of great scenery, delicious food and the odd bottle of Italian red or two.  Can't wait.
Before all that happens though I have my usual DT stuff to do, Blog challenges to enter (hopefully), blog posts to schedule, melt pot to play with, and I've got Lauren and Alex coming over at the end of next week.  Busy, busy, busy.

I think it's time for a Twinchie don't you .........we haven't had one for a while, and the challenge finishes on Saturday morning.
Just in case you don't know what a Twinchie is, it's a 2inch x 2inch piece of artwork.  It doesn't sound very big I know, but once you start it's amazing what you can get on such a small space.

Over at Show us Your Twinchie, the current theme is ............... SPRING
There's some great inspiration on the the Blog from the DT, and lots of fab entries so far.

The island is slowly coming to life after all that snow and cold weather.  The snowdrops and the daffs are out, and there's lambs up on the mountains again.  All we need now is for the temperature to go up a little, even though the sun is shining, it's still a bit chilly out there.

Here's my Spring Twinchie .......

ahhhh ...... cute little bunny!  This little guy is one of Clarity's remountable set of Bunnies, which I bought at the Craft Show in Harrogate.  He's been sat on my desk ever since, waiting patiently to be inked! 
I had a good old rummage in my box of bits and bobs too.  I came up with the branch and punched flowers.  Not quite cherry blossom, but you get the idea.

That's another thing I can cross off my really long 'To Do' list.  Every little helps I suppose.
I've also posted on the Indigo Blu DT Blog today. If you fancy a look, it's all about the pretty Ella Bella 

Well, I think that's it from me today. Back to the craft room it is ........ what's next on the list?

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

Cheerio for now.

Linda

xx

I think it's time for a Twinchie

Hello there,

Happy April!  Month number 4 already.  This year is flying by. 
Only 7 weeks on Friday until we go away on holiday - whoo hoo!!!  (Not that I'm counting)
Yes, we've actually booked some time away.  We're getting off the island during the TT fortnight, and we're flying to Italy.  Lake Como to be exact.  I can not wait!

We've booked a lovely villetta on the banks of Lake Como ........

Look at that view from what will be our balcony ........ (sigh!)
 
We love Italy ........ stunning scenery,  the food is to die for, they produce all our favourite wines, and the Italians - well need I say more. 
We've got 14 nights, just the two of us, to do exactly what we want.  We've hired a car so we'll be doing a bit of sight seeing.  I'll be taking my new birthday present along with me too, so I'll still be able to blog - hopefully!   Hubby's finally making up for briefly forgetting my special day, he's ordered me a Mac Book (who's a lucky girl!).  Well the old laptop keeps having funny moments, so I thought it was time I had a new one.  I'll have to get used to using a Mac though,  tried one at the weekend  and it was very strange - so it could take a while.  Hopefully there's an instruction manual that's easy to follow ...... a Dummies Guide would be good!

Anyway, enough waffling.  Time for my Twinchie ......... (I haven't said that for a while)

It's Challenge #3  over at Show Us Your Twinchie and the theme for the month is

'Flower or Flowers'

For those who don't know, a Twinchie is a little piece of artwork that measures 2inch x 2inch

Here's mine ........

I've used the Penny Black 'T for Transparent' stamp set 'Petal Party'.  I've stamped one of the flowers and a leaf a couple of times onto white cardstock, and coloured them in using Copic markers.

I covered my Twinchie with some BoBunny paper from the new C'est La Vie range - left over bits from my Tim Tag.  And the edges have been sanded a little to give an aged look.

I've layered the flowers and the leaves, and added a large pearl to the centre.  The tiny tag on the side is made using a Nestabilities die (Labels One) to cut around the computer generated word.

I love how this little project has turned out - perfect for Springtime I think (as you can see in the picture, we've got sunshine again on the IOM - has Spring finally arrived? - Lets hope so eh!)  

I don't normally give my Twinchies away but,  I do think this one will make a nice card.  I'm off now to see how it turns out.  Watch this space.

Thanks for popping by today.  Enjoy your evening.  I hope it's as nice where you are as it is here on the island.

Cheerio for now

Linda

x

Love is in the air.............

Not in our house it's not!!  I've been like a bear with a sore head today, because I've had no internet for most of it. And then it's just taken me about 3 hours to post this because Blogger has been playing silly beggars again! 

All day I've had internet problems, there seems to be something wrong with our wireless thingy.  After finally speaking to tech support (aka .... hubby) he told me where to find an 'ethernet cable' so that I could actually plug my laptop into the internet (plug it in ......... how quaint!!)  Well. it worked.  I'm now connected again (yeah!) by a bright red cable that's running across Stephen's office floor - no blogging in the craft room then, the cable's not long enough.  He'll just have to put up with me taking over a desk for this evening.

It's the end of another busy week (still haven't got around to finishing those wedding invites - oops!).  I've got loads of other stuff done though, and even found time yesterday for a lovely chat with a friend, over coffee and cake in town.

It's Twinchie time again, and we're going all romantic for Challenge #2.  The girls over at Twinchie Towers have given us the theme ......

Love is in the air!

The DT have come up with some fabulous inspiration twinchies as always.  Here's my take on this month's theme ..........

I covered my twinchie with a leftover piece of paper from my bit box and then inked around the edges with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink (I think this is my favourite colour at the moment)

I covered another piece of card with the same paper then die cut the heart shapes using a Tim Holtz  Movers and Shapers die.  Again I used the same ink around the edges of the larger heart and coloured the whole of the smaller one.  I added a touch of faux stitching around the edges, some black ink for a bit of shading, then attached both hearts to my Twinchie.

 

The words are made up of one from the Tim Holtz Chit Chat pad (together) and the other's are a stamp from the stamp set 'Petite Pairs' from Stampin Up!  A bit more inking around the edges and a spot of matting and layering and the jobs a good un'! 

 

I think it says it all, don't you!?  I think this may just end up on a card for my someone special (so Stephen, when you open the envelope next Thursday, please act surprised - love you!!!)

 

Well. I think that's me done.  Looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend.  But first I'm off to check my emails, pop onto Facebook, and  then catch up with all your blogs that I follow.  Well I haven't been able to do it all day, I don't want to miss anything.

Before I go, a quick reminder that it's my day on the DT Blog over at Creative Studios (better late than never!)  Here's a little sneaky peek just to tease you ........

 

Thank you for popping by today.  It's always nice to know that you're with me.  I notice I have a couple of new followers too, it's nice to have you along.

Have a lovely weekend.  I hope the weather's kind to you.  I hear there's more snow forecast for the UK over the next couple of days.  Stay cosy and warm, and keep crafting!

 

Cheerio for now

 

Linda

x

First Twinchie of 2013

Morning eveyone,

What a busy start to the week.  I got loads done yesterday.  Lets hope I can keep it up for the rest of the week.

I found my missing Tim Holtz dies over the weekend, as well as a few other bits and bobs I'd forgotten about (oops!).  It took me most of Saturday though, before they turned up.  I went through all my Christmas stuff, all the boxes under my table (and there's a few).  I went through all my ribbon boxes and searched through the pile of stuff that's not been used yet.  Eventually, there they were - sitting in a box full of Cuttlebug stuff!!!! No idea how they got there, but never mind at least I don't have to rush out and buy new ones.  Phew !  -  panic over.

The reason I got so much done yesterday is I'm home alone (sigh!) - well apart from Christopher that is, who I saw for all of 5 minutes yesterday. 
Stephen's gone to Dublin for the week with work so I've no distractions.  I can basically do what I like for the whole week - I might just get those wedding invites finished you never know!

I started the week off catching up with Blog Challenges.  Seeing as it's February on Friday I thought I'd better get a move on.  Nothing new there then.  

First off ..... It's Twinchie Time again - the first one of 2013.  (This challenge doesn't actually close until the 4th February)

What's a Twinchie? 
In case you don't know, it's a 2"x2" square piece of Art work, and they are so much fun to do.  Pop over to the Twinchie Blog and see what I mean.  There's a fab Design Team over there that always come up with great inspiration pieces.

Challenge #1 of the year is .........   Anything Goes

 'Time Flies' ...... I've been saying that a lot recently, what with the kid's birthdays, and it being our 25th wedding anniversary later this year, and January's almost gone.........

The background is done with Distress Inks and I've used the cogs from the Clockwork set of stamps from Indigo Blu, stamped in Versamark and then dusted with pearlescent chalks (something I came across while searching for the dies, and thought 'I've not used those in a while'). 
The words are from a Creative Studios set of stamps called Time Flies.  The clock is one of my favourite Stampendous stamps.  I've stamped it directly onto the Twinchie (obviously it's too big), so I stamped it again, cut it out and layered it over the top.  I also stamped the clock face again, coloured with DI and attached that over the top again.  I've add small highlights to the watch using a Stardust gel pen, and also edged around the twinchie with the same.

Well that's 1 Challenge down ......... 3 more to go.  I have done my Timmie Tag,  but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for that.

Thanks for popping by today.  Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday.

Cheerio for now

Linda

x

The last Twinchie ........ for this year!

Hi everyone,

I'll keep this short and sweet as you're probably all busy with your last minute Christmas preparations.  I can't believe that I have nothing to do, the weekend before Christmas.
All the shopping is done, and the presents are wrapped (those that have been left for Christmas Day No 2 that is!). 
I don't even have to prepare for Christmas dinner, Stephen and I are off out for the first time ever.  It's going to feel so strange on Christmas Day not to spend most of it in the kitchen - I can't wait.

Before all that though I do have a few bits and bobs that need finishing off in the old craft room.  One of the things on my list is the final Show Us Your Twinchie Challenge of the year.
Challenge #12 is .......

'Let it Snow'

I probably shouldn't say this but, I wish it would snow!  I'm fed up of all this rain.  I don't think we'll get much over here though - famous last words!!

Anyway, here's my final twinchie of 2012 ........

You can't tell in the photo above what size it is, but it is only 2x2 ......

........honest!

I did the background with Distress Stains - Broken China and Brushed Pewter.  I put the stains down directly onto my craft sheet, spritzed with water then swiped my piece of card through the stains.  I did this a couple of times, drying with a heat tool in between.

The sentiment is from Penny black, stamped in Jet Black Archival ink, then the snowflakes are from a retired Stampin Up! set called Serene Snowflakes, and have been stamped using Versamark then sparkley embossing powder over the top.

A touch of Glamour Dust around the edge finishes it off.

As of January next year the Twinchie Challenge is changing to a monthly challenge, starting on the 5th of every month and ending of the 4th of the following month.  So we'll have more time to design our Twinches - maybe I'll get around to doing the three that we're allowed each month.

Enjoy the weekend.  I'm off now to make my last Christmas card.  My poor son Christopher still hasn't had his.  He's said not to bother if I don't have time, but I can't leave him out now can I!?  Plus, I bought the stamp speacially.

Cheerio for now

Linda

x

Time for a Twinchie

Hi there,

How is everyone?  I hope you're all keeping cosy and warm. 
Have any of you had snow yet?  We've haven't seen a single flake, but it's a bit on the chilly side though.

Things in the old craft room are still not going smoothly.  Minor panic yesterday when a project I was working on just wouldn't do what I wanted it to.  Stephen came home at lunch time, poor thing, and got the full force of a major rant.  Everything went in the bin, I told him to close the craft room door, I was never going in there again, and he could sell the (bleeping!) lot of it!!!
He was very good.   He gave me a cuddle, told me to walk away and take a break, and not to sell any craft stuff just yet!

I did go back in there later on, started everything again and by the time Stephen came home I was back on track.  So, no huge craft sale just yet.

It's Twinchie time again, don't they soon come around.
It's challenge #11 and the theme is ......

Traditional Christmas Colours 

I must admit I love red and green on Christmas cards, it always looks festive. I do use other colour combinations, but there always has to be at least one of my Christmas designs done in the traditional colourway - call me old fashioned.  

There's some fab inspiration from the Design team over on the Twinchie Challenge Blog.

And here's what I came up with .......

...... a little bunch of mistletoe (mwah!)

The stamp's from an Inkadinkadoo clear set, which I've stamped using a green Versafine ink, then coloured with a Copic pen.  The berries have been highlighted with Liquid Pearls, and a pretty red satin ribbon finishes it all off.  I've mat it onto some red cardstock and added a touch of glitter around the edge.  Twinchie done! 

It's going to go on a card later, so you'll see it again soon.  It's perfect for another Blog Challenge, and as time is a luxury I don't seem to have at the moment, 2 for 1 sounds good to me.

Well, that's me done for today. 

I'm going to try and catch up with all your blogs tonight.  I feel like I've missed so many posts recently, and I do like to see what everyone's up to.

Have a lovely evening.

Cheerio for now

Linda

x

Only two colours!!!?

Morning everyone,

Well it's Friday again.  I would say 'Thank goodness' but I'm not looking forward to this one.  I've got a dentist appointment (oh joy!).  Nothing major, just a routine check-up followed by a clean and polish but I'm still not happy about going.  
So, I'd better get on with things, I don't want to be late now do I. (I'd rather not go actually!)

It's Twinchie time again.  For those who don't know, a Twinchie is a 2 inch x 2 inch work of 'ART'  You can put what you like on there, just so long as it fits in with the rules, (there's not many) and the challenge theme of course.
Over at Show Us Your Twinchies  it's challenge #10 ............ Use Two Colours

What! Only two.  It seems like most of what I've done recently has been nothing but colours, and lots of them.  So, I've put all the bright coloured inks to one side and gone with my trusty Stormy Sky Distress Ink and Onyx Black Versafine.

The stamps are from a mini re-mountable set from Clarity and are a perfect size for this job. (I know Santa normally has eight reindeer, but they wouldn't all fit!)

I started by making a mask for the moon, then brushed Stormy Sky DI over the top half of the card.  I then spritzed with a little water, and dabbed a paper towel over the top to remove some of the ink to give the effect of a snowy sky.
Santa and the forest were just stamped in black, with a couple of the trees stamped a second time.  I hope this is still within the rules of  use 2 colours - it's still just black and blue. (I know there's white on there too, but that's the card).  I'm sure someone will let me know if it's not.

As it's Friday, it's my day to post on the DT blog over at Creative Studios.  Better get over there hadn't I!
Here's a sneaky peek at my project for this week ............

We've all been playing (oops! I mean working) with felt this week.  Pop over to the Blog and see what the rest of the DT have been creating.

Well, time is getting on, I'd better get a move on.
Not only do I have the dentist to cope with today, but Stephen's boss is coming for dinner tonight - eeek!  I only found out when he came home from work yesterday. 
When I get back this afternoon, it's straight into the kitchen for me - no crafting today I'm afraid.  I really need to tidy the house too!

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a lovely weekend - mines going to be spent in the craft room I think.

Bye for now

Linda

x

Feeling Hot! Hot! Hot!

Good evening everyone,

I'm afraid I'm in 'headless chicken' mode at the moment - losts of rushing around but not getting very far!!  Tonight's dinner is in the oven, and Stephen's not home till later, so I thought I'd make myself a coffee, and take a few minutes to catch my breath.

I'm off across to the UK on Wednesday afternoon and I'm frantically trying to get stuff finished before I go.
Memory Box for Alex - done!
Sample Wedding Invites - done!
Christmas Card for my brother to send - done!

I think that's everything that needs to go with me.  Now I just need to do DT projects that are due in while I'm away.  Ooh, and pack of course! 
I've got quite a bit started today, but nothing finished.  Oh well, you know where to find me tomorrow!

I must confess I did get a bit distracted for a while this afternoon, with the latest Twinchie Challenge
It's Challenge #9 and the theme is ......

HOT COLOURS 

Hope this looks hot enough .....

It started life as a piece of white cardstock which I then added a few Distress Inks to - Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade, Barn Door, Fired Brick and a touch of Rusty Hinge.  I then stamped over the top using Onyx Black Versafine ink and a Butterfly Kisses stamp called 'Firework Frenzy'.  I added a spot of Stardust Gel pen to some of the fireworks, and used some ultrafine glitter to add a bit of sparkle.
There's actually fireworks going off as I'm typing this, well it is Bonfire Night I suppose.  We went to the display in Douglas Bay on Saturday night, and the fireworks there were spectacular.  Tonight I'm staying nice and warm indoors.

If anyone is off out to a Firework Display, stay safe and enjoy yoursleves.  If you've already been, I hope it was a good one.

Well, I must dash.  I can smell the lamb shanks cooking nicely, and I need to get my plum and apple crumble in the oven.

Hopefully I'll see you again before I go on Wednesday.  Have a nice evening

Thanks for popping by.

Linda

x

Mwahhaha ........ it's Twinchie Time!

Hello again everyone,
Middle of the week already, doesn't time fly when you're having fun.
I told you I would be spending most of my time in the old craft room this week and I wasn't wrong. It's great, things are actually being crossed of the 'To Do' list, which makes a change!

It's Twinchie time again and the new theme is ....... 

SPOOKY STUFF

If you haven't tried this Blog Challenge yet, you should give it a go, it's so much fun.

Twinchies are little 2inch x 2inch pieces of artwork.  Now you may think that's not a very big space to put anything on but, once you get started you'll be amazed at what you can do.

Why not pop over to the Show Us Your Twinchie Blog and have a look.  The Design Team had done another fabulous job with their Twinchies for the new challenge.

Here are mine ........

You can see I've been playing with my Chocolate Baroque stamps again, and my Dylusions inks, which I am loving by the way.  The colours are fabulous.
I've also used a couple of Penny Black clear stamps (for the Happy Haunting and the Bats).  And the spider is from an Indigo Blu set (Hocus Pocus). 
Definitely getting in the mood for Halloween - can't you tell!  The other half says it's the perfect night for me to go out!  Cheeky!!!

And on that note I'll say Cheerio for now.  I'm off to the old craft room to do my weekly project for Creative Studios. I'll be posting it on the blog on Friday so don't forget to pop over and take a look.

Enjoy your Wednesday
Bye for now

Linda

x

It's Twinchie Time!

Happy Monday everyone, (what's left of it)

Hope you all had a good weekend.  As usual it was over far too quickly. 
I've got a really busy week again this week - nothing changes there then!  And I just can't seem to get going at all.  It could have something to do with a little distraction I have at the moment, called Alex! 
I'll apologise now if this post doesn't make sense, but it's really hard to concentrate when there's a little person riding around the kitchen on his Gruffalo trunki!

And you've got Thomas the Tank Engine in the background, for the 28th time this afternoon!!  It's going to seem so quiet when he goes home on Wednesday.

I thought I'd start this week off with a quick Blog Challenge entry, seeing as I didn't do any last week. 
Yes, it's that time again over at Show Us Your Twinchie. 
It's Challenge #7 and the theme is ANYTHING GOES, which means we can pretty much put what we like on there, as long as it's still only 2inches x 2inches.  The DT have already come up with some fabulous designs.

Here's mine .......

Talk about using up left over bits.  The words are the only thing I did specifically for this.  The butterfly was a spare from a challenge weeks ago and the black, Fran-taged 2x2 was cut from a piece of card left over from something I did last week, which I can't show you yet!
The words are from a set of Dylusions stamps which arrived in the old craft room last week (latest ebay purchases!) and had to be used straight away.
 
Well, that's one job done this week.  Unfortunately though my 'To Do' list just keeps growing and growing.  Never mind, I'll eventually get to the end, sometime!

We had a lovely afternoon out yesterday.  We went for a walk in one the National Glens on the island - Groudle Glen.

It was so pretty down there, and so quiet.

There's quite a few of these glens on the island, Stephen says he intends to walk them all.  We've done a few of them, and they're all different. 
Groudle Glen runs from Onchan, all the way down to the sea. There's a railway line that's open during the summer months which takes you up to the tea rooms at Sea Lion Rocks.  And in December they run 'Santa Trains' into the glen which take you to see the big man himself.

walking with Grandad

look Grandad ........ is that a bird?

If you're interested, you can find more info on Groudle Glen on Wikipedia

the Little Isabella

strange looking funghi

Lauren's 'arty' shot

time for a Tic Tac

Towards the end of the Glen we came across this guy.  He was amazing, someone's been busy. It looks as though he's been carved from an actual tree, recently, as the date 2012 was carved into the back of him.

Not quite sure who is, Stephen thought perhaps he was the island's mythological sea God - Manannan.

The glen does run all the way to the sea after all ....

Phew!  That was a long post.   If you're still reading, well done!  I promise I'll keep things shorter for the rest of the week.

Have a lovely evening. and I'll see you again soon.

Linda

x

One twinchie, two twinchies

Happy Friday night, (although it will probably be Saturday morning by the time this is finished!)

Hope you've all had a good day, mine's not been too bad.

Alex liked his birthday cards I sent.  (see them here)   Apparently he keeps wanting to play with the train, and when he opened the dinosaur one, he roared! (Awww ....... bless him!)  Wish I'd been there to see his face.  Never mind, we'll see him soon.  Lauren's bringing him over for a week at the beginning of October, I can't wait. 

As part of his birthday present Uncle Chris sent him (Uncle Chris didn't know much about this until I told him!) one of those cuddly toys that you can warm up (in the microwave) and use like a hot water bottle.  I think he likes it ........

......... here they are, cuddled on the sofa watching Thomas the Tank Engine.
I've told Lauren not to let him see when she's putting bunny in the microwave - you never who you might find in there next. Hopefully not the neighbour's rabbit!! (Oh dear .... )

Anyway, on to things more crafty.
First task today was to do a Twinchie for the latest challenge over at  Show Us Your Twinchie

Twinchies, are little 2 inch x 2 inch pieces of artwork, and are so much fun to do. There's some fabulous inspiration from the DT as always (check out Eileen's Frog, he's sooo cute!)

It's Challenge #6    ADD A STAMPED IMAGE

I've actually got two to show this time - did have three, but I really didn't like the third one so ...... wait for it ...... it went in the bin!!! 

Here are the two that survived ....

Twinchie 1

Twinchie 2

I'm definitely feeling festive at the moment, plus these stamps just happend to be on my desk.

I masked a tiny edge around the Twinchies and then spritzed the backgrounds with Cosmic Shimmer Vintage Mists in Antique Rose and Egyptian Blue (the pink doesn't come across very well, sorry that's my lack of photography skills!)
I added a little bit of Stormy Sky Distress Ink just around the edges to add a little bit of shading, then, with the masks still in place I stamped the snowflake, just off the edge.  This particular one is from one of my favourite SU stamp sets - Serene Snowflakes.  It's actually retiring from the current catalogue, which is a shame.
The first one was stamped in black Versafine ink, the second was done with London Fog Memento.  Both snowflakes have had a sprinkling of glitter, and the added words are stamped in black. 'snowy days' is from an old Woodware clear stamp set which I think is called Polar Fun (don't quote me on that) and the 'Let it Snow' is from an Inkadinkadoo set (not sure which one - sorry!)
In true Barbara Gray fashion, both designs have been edged with a fine liner pen (one finer than the other!) To finish off they've been matted onto a piece of co-ordinating blue card and a gem has been put in the centres of the snowflakes. 
I may just make these into Christmas cards, they are quite pretty when the light catches them. That'll make a grand total of 4 done then.  Only another 50 or so to go!

Well, I said it would be Saturday by the time this was done.  It's now well after midnight, and time I was in bed.

Thanks for popping by.
We're off the the Isle of Man Food Festival tomorrow, so I hope the weather's nice.
Have a great weekend, whatever you're up to.

Bye for now

Linda

x

Twinchie time

Good afternoon folks,

First off, Welcome to my two latest followers, it's so nice to have you with me on my crafting journey.  I do hope you enjoy reading my ramblings as much as I enjoy writing them.

Yes it's Twinchie time again.  It's Challenge #5 and the subject is .......
                    AUTUMN

It's my favourite season of the year. Summer's over with again (that's if you can call what we had 'summer').  There's a slight chill in the air, along with the chance of the odd frosty morning. The shops are starting to show signs of the summer coming to an end as the autumn/winter fashions appear on the rails - much prefer those to the summer ranges (is that an age thing I wonder?).  Ooh, and what really makes it Autumn for me is, my 'Cinnamon Stick'  and 'Red Apple Wreath' scented Yankee Candles come out of the cupboard.  Now that's Autumn!
I love it when the leaves start to change and fall from the trees, especially when we get some Autumn sunshine too. The colours can be spectacular.   I would love to go to New England in the US and see the fall over there, it's on my 'Places to See' Wish list -   one of these years eh!

I Wish .......

Here's my Autumn Twinchie ......

Sorry, it's not a brilliant picture, the colours are much more vibrant in real life.
I've blended Distress inks for the background, in Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed,  Dried Marigold, a little touch of Peeled Paint and finished off with Rusty Hinge.
The leaf is from an SU  Hostess stamp set - Faith in Nature and it's been stamped in Black Archival ink.  The edges were then sponged with a tiny bit of Flitter Glu and covered with Brighton Pier Flake.  This one is made up of gold shades, bronzes, a bit of silver, orange and a hint of plum, perfect for Autumn.  A couple of gems just  finish it all off.

These little 2x2 pieces of artwork are so much fun to do.  There's already some fabulous inspiration from the DT on the Twinchie Challenge Blog, and some great entries too.  Why not pop over and have a look, you never know, you may just be tempted to give it a go.

Thanks for looking.

Bye for now

Linda

x

Twinchie Time!

Hi folks,
It's only a short post from me this afternoon.   I've just taken a quick break to share my latest Twinchie with you.
It's Challenge #4 and the subject of this one is ......  Add a flower
There's some fabulous inspiration here on the Twinchie Blog from the DT members.  Here's my take on the challenge ....

Can't quite believe how much I've managed to use on this little piece of artwork  ....
2 colours of Distress inks (Antique Linen and Tattered Rose)
2 colours of Versafine ink (Vintage Sepia and Onyx Black)
1 script background stamp (from who knows where I've had it that long!)
4 individual little stamps from a new set by Prima from the Tea Thyme range
Some Glossy Accents
and a small silk ribbon bow .....
.......... all on a piece of card 2x2inches in size.  Amazing!
I only wish all my projects were as quick to do.

Well, I said it was short.  Back to the ironing. 
I'm doing what we women are good at - multi-tasking.  I'm waiting for some stuff to dry in the old craft room so, I thought I'd make good use of my time and tackle the ever-growing mountain that is my ironing pile.   Once I've finished that,  it's a quick check on my craft projects then I need to get the dinner on.  I'm out this evening at a craft workshop so I need to be organised.  It's all go here.
  
I've noticed I have another new follower again today.  Hello Lynn and welcome.  It's so nice to have you with me.  Only 1 more and that makes 60 of you.   I'm delighted that you all like to read my crafty ramblings,  thank you so much.

Well, must dash.  see you again soon

Linda

x

Time for a Twinchie

It's weekend!!!
Hi everyone, just having a quick break from all the madness that's going at the moment.  Busy is not the word.  I am on schedule though, I think, sort of, which is a bonus.  Just hope the old mojo holds out for a couple more days.  I'll let you all have a sneaky peek when I've finished.

I have managed to squeeze in an entry for the latest Show us Your Twinchie Challenge
Challenge #3 is ..........  BRIGHT COLOURS.  The design team have done a fantastic job on theirs, you may need to put on some shades to view, they're certainly bright!
Here's mine  ..........

I used the Summer Collection Distress inks, a Magenta rubber stamp and Copics to colour the flowers.  I stamped the flowers twice and layered them up just to add a little dimension.  Added a little bit of bling and some doodling - twinchie done! 

Sorry it's a bit short and sweet.  Well, I said it was a 'quick' break.  Better put my Christmas hat back on and find the festive spirit again - no, not the alcoholic type, not yet anyway!  However, I may need a small G&T at the end of all this lot though! (Hic!)
Have a lovely weekend, hope the sun shines for you.  I'll see you all again next week.
Bye for now

Linda

x

PS  While I'm here, there's a couple of new pages in my Altered Art Dictionary ........

support

bouquet

Thanks for looking!

It's Twinchie Time

Happy Wednesday everyone,

Another quick post today.  Loads of things on the go in the old craft room.  I've made a start on a few projects at least - not finished anything yet though.  Not sure if this was a good idea or not - multiple things on the go -  there's stuff  EVERYWHERE!!!!

One thing I have done though is my Twinchie for the Show Us Your Twinchie  Blog Challenge.
A twinchie is a 2 inch x 2 inch  little 'work of art'.  I know it sounds small but once you get started you'll be surprised what you can get on there.

It's Week #2 and the challenge is SUMMER

Now in my dictionary it says .... summer  the warmest season of the year, between spring and autumn, extending from May to September (yeah right)

I don't know about you but my summer so far has been a warm week sometime in May, a mixture of cold, windy, rainy days since, with the odd bit of sunshine here and there, and the heating still on in June - what's that all about?!
Mind you the weather here can be a little bit, shall we say changeable even at the best of times.  We've been known to get all four seasons in one day on the Isle of Man. 
However, the weathermen are now predicting that it's all going to change next week, SUMMER is finally going to arrive.  Hmm ...... we'll see.  Not putting the raincoat and brolly away just yet.

Anyways, here's my twinche ........ my bit of summer

I can just about remember what the sun looks like.
I used Mustard Seed and Dried Marigold Distress Inks to create the sun and rays sponged onto the piece of card with the edge of some paper as a mask.  The birds are from a Timmie clear set of mini stamps and the grasses at the bottom are just the tip of a Stamp Addicts Wildflower stamp, coloured with Distress Markers.
It made me dream of summer days anyway.
 
Ooh, here's yesterday's Altered Art Dictionary page too (I only managed the one).  The word is bathe

bathe

I've used an old Penny Black stamp I've had for ages, called 'It's you Day' and it's coloured with watercolour pencils, without the water.
I'm so used to reaching for Copics these days I'd forgotten how nice it is to use pencils.  The colour doesn't bleed through the paper either.
I also added Glossy Accents to the bubbles and the champagne glass.
I'm going to try and do at least one of these pages everyday, it's so much fun.   And, you should see the artwork from some of the others doing this, it's stunning.  Why not give it go.

As it's now lunchtime (where has this morning gone!) and I still haven't made a start in the craft room I'd better get a wriggle on.

Have a lovely Wednesday.  I do hope the sun is shining where you are.  Hopefully I'll get something finished this afternoon.

Bye for now

Linda

x

 

Brand New Blog challenge

Hello again,
Bit of an unexpected post but I came across a brand new Blog Challenge this afternoon and it sounds like fun.
 
I was reading my friend Maria Simm's blog and she was talking about 'Twiniches'.  What are those? I hear you say, I asked the same question.   Well, apparently they're little pieces of artwork 2 inches square - cute or what!
Maria had put a link on her blog to this new challenge so I just had to check it out.  I must say it looks fab.

You'll find all the details and rules for the challenge here.  It's called 'Show us your Twinchies Challenge Blog' and it's currently Week #1 Anything Goes.
The lady behind it all is Eileen Godwin.  Check out her blog here   What a great read, there's some fantastic stuff on there, loads of tutorials and techniques.  A very talented lady.
She also does something called the 'Altered Art Dictionary' details of which you'll see on her blog.  That too looks like lots of fun, may just have to give it a go.  

I had to join in with this new challenge, and as the deadline for this week is tomorrow at 9.00am I had to be quick.

My first Twinchie

What do you think?  As you can see, it is only 2 inches square.
The saying was perfect as the card I've used to stamp on was one of my 'happy accidents' as I call them - things that didn't quite turn out as I planned.  It's white card that has been spritzed with DI re-inkers mixed with water, perfect pearls sprayed on top then cling film scrunched over and left to dry.  I wasn't keen on how the colour turned out so it just went in my bit box, until today.
I cut my twinchie square, splodged some Picket Fence Distress Stain in the centre then stamped over the top.
The stamps I've used are from Tim Holtz, the saying is one of my ebay purchases this week and the little butterfly is from a clear set of minis.  You can also just about make out in the background a faint image which is a LOTV background stamped in Smokey Grey Versafine ink.
It's then been layered onto a piece of black cardstock and a little bit of thread added to make it look like a picture.
This was so much fun to do, quick to.  I'm going to enjoy this Blog Challenge. Thanks Maria for the link.  Why don't you join in the fun .

Thanks for looking

Linda

x