Playing catch up again .....

Happy Friday!

What's this ...... twice in one week, I'm spoiling you.

Not much crafty stuff today I'm afraid, as you know this little guy took up most of my time over the weekend.

 We had to have a trip to the playground of course

Carousel rides with Grandad down in Silverdale Glen  (the carousel is powered by a water wheel, it's really cool)

We had to try out the big slide too.  And then of course there was the party on Sunday .......
lots of running around playing football, bouncy castles galore, and the biggest bouncy slide I've ever seen (for such a little guy).  He did get up there though .......

Wasn't too sure about coming down again ........

until he tried it .......

then we couldn't get him off ....... except for the face painting that is .......

Then is was straight back on there ....... (sorry about the picture quality - he was going at some speed!)

He's such a little sweetheart ....... and so chatty now.  He's given me a list of what he wants for his birthday (September), with Buzz Lightyear being at the top of the list (Good job he hasn't changed his mind - Buzz is all wrapped and ready to go!)  Then he's listed everything he wants Santa to bring for his train set.  Seems I'd better start shopping now!!

I have been busy with DT stuff since he went home.  I told you Kay was back on the telly this weekend.  IndigoBlu are taking part in this Bank Holiday Giveaway thingy on Create and Craft.  She's on at 10am and 4pm (I think that's right - check your TV guides to make sure) on Saturday 24th.  That's Sky channel 671/Freeview 36/Freesat 813 and Virgin 748.

It's a Christmas show with all the latest stamp designs, new samples to give you more ideas on how to use the stamps, and brand new demos from Kay, with lots of great tips and techniques.

Here's a couple of sneaky peeks of what I sent over yesterday .......

 

 

 

Speaking of Create and Craft, I'm in the new club magazine - whoo hoo!!!  My IndigoBlu Wedding Stationery designs have been published.  That's twice in two weeks ....... I'm absolutely over the moon!

My lovely DT buddy Clare is also in there, along with a couple of cards from Jo Rice.  Can't wait to get my hands on a copy and have a read.  Clare has kindly put one in the post for me, as I don't get a copy -  I'm not C&C Club member (hang my head in shame!)

Thank you for popping by today, sorry I've not had much to share with you, craft wise.  Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to try and get myself organised a little.  Well, I'm off across to the UK again on the 6th, and I need to get all my DT stuff done and ready to go.  I will be taking craft stuff with me this time though (we're in the car, on the ferry, so I can load up the old craft trolley and take it with me) I'm hoping to spend some inky time with my crafty buddies while I'm over there.

Oooh........ I do have some crafty stuff ..... I've posted on the Creative Studios DT Blog today if you fancy a look.  It's another Christmas Design using Sam's latest stamps.

Well, that's me done for this week.  We've got the Manx Grand Prix going on at the moment - 2 weeks of chaos again.  Practice Week finishes tonight, and Race Week starts tomorrow (joy!)   That means the roads will be closed from about lunchtime while the races are on.  We're right in the middle of the course so, unless we get out before they close the roads we won't be going anywhere.  I think a quick trip to the supermarket in the morning then it's off to the old craft room for the afternoon.  I can't think of a better way to spend the weekend ..... can you?!

Hope you have a lovely weekend, whatever you're up to.

Cheerio for now

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

Golden celebrations

Hellooo,

How is everyone? It's been a bit of a funny old week.  The weather is definitely changing (sad face), the heating actually came on a couple of mornings this week so it must be getting chilly.  Typical though, I've got Alex and Lauren coming over tomorrow, and we've a party to go to on Sunday so the weather was bound to change wasn't it!  Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

I've actually got a card to share with you today - whoo hoo!  It was the in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversay on Saturday - Congratulations Mum and Dad.   That's a Silver wedding and a Golden wedding in the space of 2 weeks, that's a lot of wedded bliss!  They're actually away at the moment so they haven't seen the card yet - don't think they'll be checking my blog whilst they're celebrating on their Rhine River Cruise do you (hope not anyway)

I decided to keep it relatively clean and simple.  I used the Hero Arts Leafy Vines stamp and the sentiment is Today Tomorrow from Inkylicious   Both stamped using IndigoBlu Flitter Glu and then flaked in Chariots of Fire Mega Flakes - simples!

Now, would you believe I had to to the 'Happy Anniversary' on the computer.  Could I find a stamp in my stash - NO is the answer.  I don't have a 'Happy Anniversary' stamp - unbelieveable!!  Guess what I'll be buying at the next Craft show!  Anyway, I added the 50 and used the flake again.
A little bit of matting and layering, a pretty organza bow, with a resin rose and a couple of hat pins in the centre give a nice elegant finish, I think.

They're back home on Thursday, so hopefully it will be behind the door waiting for them.  They can keep the celebrations going a little longer.

Speaking of celebrating, I did a happy little dance around the craft room on Monday when this popped through the letterbox .......

Why? ........ well I'm in it this month.  Yes, I've been published (page 66) using the fabulous IndigoBlu products .... I'm so thrilled.

 

Oh well, must dash.  I've still a lot to get through before trouble arrives tomorrow.  No doubt Alex will want to spend time with Grandma in the craft room at some point.  That means all DT stuff needs to be finished or put out of the reach of small hands.  I'd better get a move on.

Just a couple of reminders ........ Craftwork Cards launch on Create and Craft today - 1pm and 7pm and also 5pm on Ideal World.

And Sam's on the telly too with Creative Studios ...... she's back at 2pm this afternoon on Ideal World.  It's all go!

I've also posted on the IndigoBlu DT Blog today, if you fancy some more crafty inspiration ....... 

Thanks for popping by today.  I'm not sure if I'll be back this week or not, I'm going to have my hands full ....

I'd better go and clear the desk.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

Me and my Bright Ideas ..........

Happy Wednesday,

Hi, my name's Linda and I'm a Craftaholic!  It's official ........ I have too much stash!!!!

What's brought all this on ....... me deciding to clear out and tidy the old craft room, that's what!  If you ever have the urge  DON'T DO IT!!!!!  Just keep putting stuff in there, it'll be fine.
'It won't take long' I said on Sunday afternoon - yeah right!   I'm STILL at it!!!!  And I still can't see my desk.

It all started with Hubby giving me a set of small drawers from his office.  I already had two sets, but he wasn't using the one in his office so I begged it off him.  I decided to sort out the ones I already had, get rid of anything I hadn't used in the last 6 months and fill the new ones.

Not bad eh ...... looks tidy, everything is labelled and to hand when I need it .........

Why oh why couldn't I leave it there ....... I had to go and start on the rest of the room didn't I.  Since then, I've gone through cardstock, cardblanks and envelopes, punches, ribbons, ink pads, the Christmas box.........you name it.  I've even started on the stamps (gulp!)
The positive side to all this is that my craft room is getting a good old, much needed, sort through and I've even managed to find new homes for a lot of the stuff I don't use.  Thanks to all the lovely ladies who have taken my 'haven't used in ages/forgotten I had' craft stash, I'm sure it will all be put to good use.

As you can imagine there hasn't been much 'crafting' going on over the weekend.  I did manage to make a card for today's IndigoBlu Blog post though - eventually!
Here's a little sneak peek for you.........

Pop over to the IndigoBlu DT Blog to see it in full.

Well, I suppose I'd better get back in there.  I've started, so I'll have to finish the job.  I need to find my desk again,  I've got cards to make ....... wish me luck!

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx

What a Week it's been ........

Happy Friday folks,

Sorry I've been missing again for a few days, you know what it's like. 
I thought August was going to be a reasonably quiet month .......... chance would be a fine thing!!!  At least we have no trips planned (yet!) this month.  We do have visitors coming to us though - Lauren and my little bundle of grandson gorgeousness Alex will be here on the 15th, so I need to get the planner out, make a list of everything that needs doing this month, and get as much done as I can before they get here.  Well, it  sounds like a plan, let's see if it works shall we.

What have I been up to since we last spoke ........ let me see.  Wednesday got off to an early start, which wasn't good considering we were out the night before.  A bit too much wine and the bubbly stuff I think ..... but you don't have a Silver Wedding everyday do you.  We went to The Regency, a rather nice hotel down on the prom in Douglas.  Stephen had heard that the restaurant was very nice so we thought we'd give it a go.  We had a fabulous meal, and the Maitre D was lovely.  We'll definitely be going back there.

Stephen's been in Dublin since Wednesday, so it's been a bit quiet around here.  I've got loads done though which is good, and I've had 2 new little friends to keep me company ....... meet Stephen (I had to have this one didn't I), and Sprout ...... my new Charlie Bears

No guessing which one's which ........ Stephen's the big guy at the back.  Sprout was a little anniversary gift to myself, I couldn't resist him, he's sooo cute.

I also had a beautiful bouquet delivered .....

No, they're not from Stephen,  they're from my big brother and his family.

Our painting that we bought last weekend turned up .......

Probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it.  I just have to decide where to hang it now.
And on top of all that my lovely Postie brought me some new craft goodies this morning too ....

Look at that little lot ....... another small treat to myself.  Well, I haven't had new stamps in such a lonnnng time  (yeah right!!)  I just need some time now to have a play.  That's not going to happen any time soon I don't think, my list of stuff to do in August is already mahoosive!!
I have finished one big project today though.  I can't say too much, hopefully all will be revealed in Simply Cards & Papercraft in the next couple of months (fingers crossed) - ooops did I just say that?!
Don't tell anyone, but here's a sneaky peek  ........

I'd better shut up now before I really get into trouble.

So, that's another week over.  Hubby is back on the island and in the office so he'll be home as usual tonight.  I hope he's not expecting anything fancy for tea, I've had no time to cook.  I think fish and chips is about as good as it gets tonight - homemade of course!

Have a lovely weekend whatever you're up to.  Let's hope the sun keeps shining, at least for a few more weeks.
I've just heard that the football season starts this weekend too - the lower leagues anyway.  The Premiership is not for another couple of weeks yet.  I'm looking forward to that - Jose Mourinho is back!!! (swoon)  Can he work his magic with my boys in blue again ........ we shall see.

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

Cheerio for now

Linda

xx