"Dans Ma Maison il y a....

.........du bleu."

My first time trying this blog challenge though I've been dying to have a go at this for ages.

This is my attempt for this week's theme of Blue. Take a look at this great challenge site if you haven't seen it already - Dans Ma Maison il y a....

Just for the hell of it!

I made two more ATCs this week. No challenge nor even a swap in mind really. Just felt moved to make these for the shear hell of it. I expect one day a theme will come along which they'll fit.
I've had the fabulous image of the tutu girl for ages, which I got from 'heyjupiter21' at Flikr. She is most definitely one of my all-time favourite vintage images to date.....I just love her! This ATC was inspired by the David Bowie song.

The other ATC is done with Glimmer Mists which makes it a real job to get an image that shows all the detail, since the glimmer rather takes over. There's some subtle background stamping going on that you really can't see on this scan at all.....just TOO darn subtle, I guess! lol

Anyway, as usual, please click on each photo to get more detail......

Think Monday, Think ATC: 'Purple'

Crikey - Monday again already!

Here is my effort for the theme of Purple which is this week's Think Monday, Think ATC challenge.

I've used bits of a painting by James Herbert McNair, called 'Y Sighlu'. The words are also his.

Click on the photo to see more detail....

Theme Thursday: 'Happy/ Happiness'

This is the first time I've taken up the Theme Thursday challenge and here's my happy card!......

Think Monday, Think ATC and Wednesday Stamper: 'Angel/s'

Well, what a lovely way to begin doing blog challenges again after so long.....two challenges with the same theme of 'Angel/s' and one of my current favourite themes too!

I made two ATCs this time, quite different from each other for Think Monday, Think ATC.....

I adore this vintage lady image on the first one which I got from After Midnight at Flikr, the wings are stamps from Stampland and the words are computer generated from a font at Dafont. I used a Glimmer Screen and Glimmers mists for the background and edged it with Diamond Glaze.

One the second ATC the stamp of the pagan man is by Non Sequitur as is the tree background stamp you can just see a tiny bit of. I got the wings from 'T' at Flikr. This is also my entry to this week's Wednesday Stamper.

Please click on each photo for a closer look if you feel the urge!

What a busy summer!

Click on photos for a
clearer look

I can't believe I haven't posted anything on here since July but life has been SO busy this summer. John and I have been here, there and everywhere visiting people and our suitcase has been a permanent fixture, open on the spare bed, when we have been home ....I've been unpacking, washing, ironing and then packing again so many times!!

Not that I'm complaining, it's been exciting but I must say I'm rather glad we don't have anywhere else to go for the time-being.....I'm a bit of a home-bod at heart and am enjoying the chance to unwind a bit now.

I'm also looking forward to being able to do some creative stuff again soon and made my first card for ages this evening.

I finally gave in and bought a Cuttlebug machine a couple of months ago but am only just getting the chance to really try it out. This card, above, is using the Stylised Flowers embossing folder, also a Style Stone embellished with some wire and stamped with Stazon using part of a Crafty Individuals stamp. The sentiment is from a clear set by Hero Arts - yes, I know I said I hated polymer but Hero Arts have some great ones out now and, in spite of myself, I just couldn't resist.

Well, hey, it's good to be back and I hope there might be someone out there looking in......???

Dress Form Swap

My fab dress form made by Stephany.

I've been busy lately decorating a blank mini dress form, made by Creative Imaginations which I bought at A Trip Down Memory Lane online.

This was for a swap with my great online friend and swap-buddy Stephany.

Well - today mine arrived and I love it to bits. We sent each other photos of the rooms we wanted to put our dress forms in and so decorated them to go with the decor in those rooms.

I had never done one of these before so it was quite a challenge but I enjoyed it.

Here are some photos of the one Steph made for me.....isn't it just GORGEOUS?!!!!

Click on each photo for a closer look.

And what a lovely few days I'm having because not only did I get this beautiful piece of art in the mail today but I also got my husband back on Sunday! He's been working abraod and we've been apart for the last three and a half months. I can't tell you all how great it is to have him home again.....wahey!!! I'm so HAPPY!!!!!......

Stamp Club night!

Yes it's come around again - it's Stamp Club at Crafty Clare's this evening and this month we're doing ATCs with a swap at the end.

I haven't had time to do much crafting just lately but did make these ATCs for tonight.

The background of the Singapore Post one is a direct lift from Kim Reygate and a demo she did at the recent Craft Barn Extravaganza - I love the effect of this Versamark resist technique and even managed to get hold of the same stamp Kim used because I thought it worked so brilliantly. The floral stamp is called Clique and is made by Penny Black.

The postage stamp is a real one - isn't it beautiful?!

And hey, look!! I only noticed when I'd finished the ATC that the franking stamp of Singapore has slightly missed part of the word out and all you can see clearly is 'Sing'....rather adds to it, I think. So, thank you Singapore postal services for your contribution!!

The little Pierrette is an image I got from Nancy Dooren's blog - thanks again Nancy for some great vintage images! The background stamp is by Invoke Arts.

Tennis

Haven't been on here in a while - life's just been too busy.

On Tuesday my mum and I went to watch the International Ladies Tennis which is held every year at this time in Eastbourne.

Here are a couple of images from the day. So far the summer has been sporadic but we were so lucky to get the most perfect weather on the day we went. There was a cool sea breeze blowing which kept us from stewing in the sun and we had a really nice day there.

Next year the competition is being extended to include the men so that's good news for Eastbourne.

Think Monday - Think ATC: 'Towers & Columns'

This is my entry to this week's Think Monday - Think ATC challenge. The theme this week is 'Towers and Columns' and it immediately reminded me of an ATC I made when I first joined an ATC group a few years ago. So I've made it again with slight variations to the original.

I'm afraid all the unmounted stamps used here, the tower, the Mystery word and the eye (which is one of a pair!), were won on EBay and I don't know who they are made by.

The dark blue is not a border on the ATC, just a piece of card behind it for the photo.

Hey and I got in a bit earlier this week - pat on the back for me!

Think Monday - Think ATC: 'Women In Art'

........or in my case, think Sunday night just as the challenge is ending, think ATC!!

I made this ATC yesterday, just playing with some Mica tags my friend Stephany sent me for my birthday. I wasn't thinking of this challenge but then realised it does fit the theme so, late though it is (the story of my life this week), this is my entry to Think Monday - Think ATC.

The beautiful Studio Angel stamp is, of course, by Lynne Perrella of Acey Deucy fame. The diamond background in the corners is by Paper Artsy and the 'Art' word stamp is from I know not where as I won it on EBay. The Mica tags are made by Perfect Fx.

Thanks for visiting my Blog!

Gothic Arches: 'Flourishes'

Phew - only just made it before Sunday morning and the change of theme!!! (Wipes brow!)

I've been so busy this week but as I was supposed to be tidying my craft room/office I suddenly had inspiration for this week's Gothic Arch challenge, the theme of which is 'Flourishes'.

So, here is my entry and I'm sorry it's only just in time but better late than never.

The beautiful image of the woman is from Heyjupiter21 at Flikr, the dragonfly wings are from Enchantedgal, the flowers are from a Crafty Individuals stamp (see recent post for link to CI), the word stamp is by Paper Artsy, the dotty border is from a polymer set of borders by Lakeland Plastics and I printed the background onto vellum from an Artylicious CD called Fligree Fusion by Glenda Waterworth at Elusive Images (link also in a recent post - my brain hurts with all these links!!)

Finally the all-important Flourishes come from a set in polymer by Rhonna Farrer at Autumn Leaves, called 'Elegant Flourishes'.

I could NOT resist adding some glitter glue to the wings and flower centres to give it that enchanted look I feel it deserves.

Circus

Here's an ATC I made using my super little Clown Boy rubber stamp from Diva Impressions.

This is my first stamp from this lady and I must say the rubber quality is superb -a really deeply-etched image. She is also a very helpful person if you have any queries about her stamps, payment etc.

I also used stamps from my new 'ATC' full sheet of rubber from Elusive Images in the background - such a great set this. I'm going to use this SO much!

I was so pleased with this ATC that I made four of them - unusual for me as I generally never make more than one of anything!

Other Pages of My Star Book

And here are the other three pages and the back cover of my Star Book. It was also a 'first' for using Grungeboard - my good friend Stephany in Wisconsin very kindly sent me some of her stash and I couldn't wait to try it out. The hinges and swirls are Grungeboard minis.

Stamp Club Star Book

I recently joined a monthly Stamp Club at Crafty Clares, my local craft store which I'm extremely lucky to live quite close to.

It's such a great group of talented ladies and we have a good laugh as well as creating lovely things.

At the last get-together we made Star Books - my very first attempt at one of these. Most of the evening was taken up measuring and cutting the pages to size. This suited me very well since that's not my strong point and I always find it easier to have someone there telling me what to do rather than try and follow written instructions - just the way my brain works....or doesn't! lol

So I decorated the pages at home, over the last week and so enjoyed making this that I can't wait to try another Star Book. I played it safe for the first one using vintage colours and distressing.

Above is the front cover and the first two pages. I tried to make it tell the story of a woman's life in an abstract way, starting with a young child in a garden and ending with a mature woman in a garden.

Click on each photo for more detail.

New Rubber!

I had a bit of a spending spree recently in my local craft store, Crafty Clare's, and these are the goodies I got.

Her shop is packed full of fabulous unmounted and wood-mounted stamps and all sorts of great stuff. If any of you live in the Sussex area, you should check her out!

The Little Clown Boy stamp in the middle there was a win on EBay USA from a brilliant seller called Diva Impressions. She also has an online shop selling UM stamps which I have linked to here on her name. I'm awaiting a delivery of some of these right now....watch this space.

As you can see from the packages, some of the other stamps are by Crafty Individuals and the others Elusive Images. I LOVE them all !!!

Click on the photo to get a better look at what I bought.

In the following posts you can see that I've already been playing with most of these images.

Think Monday - Think ATC: 'Black/White'

I thought I'd make some ATCs this evening - haven't made any for ages so here is my first entry in the Think Monday - Think ATC blog challenge. This week's theme is Black/ White which rather appealed to me so I made two. The doodle one is also my first teetering steps into the world of Zentangles - interesting what the mind comes up with when you just let the pen do its thing!?

Make A Moo Or Two: 'Gold'

Here are two Moos for this week's theme of 'Gold' on the Make A Moo Or Two blog challenge. Lovely theme..... I love using gold and copper in my work.

It was quite hard to get a good picture of them to capture that lustrous effect. I think these will probably end up on Christmas cards this year!!

Wednesday Stamper: 'Stripes'

Gosh, life's been so busy just lately, I've had to resist the temptation to join in any Blog Challenges.

But now I'm back and had fun the other evening creating a couple of new bits.

This is my piece for Wednesday Stamper this week, the theme of which is 'Stripes'.

I chose this great striped paper from Basic Grey, called 'Boyfriend' from the 'Blush' range, teamed with another paper called 'Phlordilee' from the Basic Grey 'Phresh and Phunky' range.

The adorable sailor boy vintage image is from Roger Vaughan's website.- and the swirl stamp is by Rhonna Farrer.

Thanks for taking a look!

Make A Moo or Two: Women

Here are my two for the theme of 'Women' on Make A Moo or Two. I could have made loads on this theme if I only had more time.

I have a few sources to mention for my images etc.....

First, the Gibson girl artist picture which I got from Peagreengirl, the dripping acrylic paint background on this Moo was from Enchantedgal. The lovely lady on the other Moo was from Heyjupiter21, I wish I knew where I got the French script from but I don't seem to have made a note of it and the floral background was from Vampirecolette. Thanks to you all for those fab bits and bobs.

Flourish Fever!

Well, I've been quite good and not made anything arty till today......aren't you proud of me??

I even got the car washed today and have some clean clothes to wear again - lol !!

I phoned one of my friends yesterday who has a virus and has been feeling a bit poorly. Poor thing, she now has a chest infection, throat infection, ear infection and conjunctivitis......she sounded dreadful and must be feeling ghastly.

So I made her this card today. I just can't stop using flourishes and this one is using my lovely Rhonna Farrer set. The little seal looks so sad and forlorn with those big pleading eyes and goes well with my chosen sentiment for this card.

Make A Moo or Two: 'Swirls and Flourishes' and Wednesday Stamper: 'Trees'

Another new challenge to try - well, what's a girl to do when it's Winter weather outside!!

Make A Moo - I've been admiring these for ages now so it was quite exciting to try my first one today....or should I say 'three'?

I found this quite tricky in that the dimensions are small and I'd chosen to cut around these three little figures....when you're eyesight is no longer what it was it's a real struggle to focus on such detail.

But hey, I did it and I'm pleased with the result of today's play-time.

This is also for this week's Wednesday Stamper theme of trees...there they are in the background! A great theme again for me as I LOVE trees.

The background is using part of a big stamp by Non Sequitur while the swirl stamp is from an American Art Stamp cube.

The printed pictures I've used of the beautiful cherubs/angels are paintings by William A. Bouguereau... an arist I discovered after seeing one of these images on Nancy Dooren's blog.

I really love his style of painting so many thanks to you, Nancy for introducing him to me!

Tomorrow I must, I must, I MUST not do any art or I'll never get anything else done around here.

If only our office had a door then I could close it to try and stop myself wandering in here and picking up a rubber stamp or surfing the Net but we don't have a door and I have a very limited amount of, let's be honest here....no willpower whatsoever.

If you catch me doing another challenge and posting it on here tomorrow, please someone tell me off!!!! lol

Impressions of a Snowy April Day

I had a lovely crunchy walk in the snow this afternoon - there's about three inches of the white stuff settled on the ground here in Sussex.

It finally stopped snowing around 5.30pm but I have a feeling we're in for some more..........bring it on, I say!! Makes for some great pictures.

Going...Going...Gone

Flippin' Heck!

I woke late this morning after a late finish at work last night, peeked through the curtains and saw a world of white out there!

Yes, I know snow had been forecast but in our neck of the South Eastern woods we don't normally get it much.

How pretty it all looks but what a shock for the spring shoots that have come out, not to mention for the birds and their nests.

It's still falling as I type and the trees are getting heavy with the stuff.

Well, I had to get my camera out and take some shots as I want to show my husband what he's missed.....he won't be sorry - he's not a great fan of cold weather.

I'm going to get my thermals on in a minute and take a crunchy walk in it....still a kid at heart!! Maybe take some more photos as well.

Keep warm everyone and enjoy the beauty!

Orange and Black

This is a tag I just made for Theme Thursday's challenge this week. The brief was to use orange and black.

I love bold colours so this was right up my street. The image of the woman was a colour supplement illustration, the butterfly is from a collage sheet by Mataart. Distress inks, oil pastels and pigment inks make up the background.

I added black sequins and glitter glue to the wings of the butterfly.

Gothic Arch

Looks like I'm on a roll now with the blog challenges - just made my first Gothic Arch - the theme this week is 'Asian'.

This is using some washi papers that John brought back from Japan for me. The Japanese calligraphy is stamped using Hero Arts 'Kanji Poem' rubber stamp and the images are from a Sunday supplement ad. I cut out ages ago, knowing it would be great for a project one day.

Thanks for looking!

Detail

Oh boy, I'm having a bit of trouble placing my photos where I really want them on here....as you may have noticed!!??

If anyone can give me some advice, please feel free to add a comment....help!!!!!

Meanwhile here are those detail pics of the Purple challenge, though not where I wanted to put them......ah well, I'll get the hang of this in the end, I'm sure.

Off to get me some brunch now and await a phone call from my beloved from his ship. I'm going to visit friends for dinner this afternoon and then to a movie - thank heavens the rain and wind of last night have stopped!