Feathered Friends at TIOT

We have a new challenge over at Try It On Tuesday with such wonderful inspiration from the Design Team! The theme is 'Feathered Friends'
Over the weekend I was fascinated by the way the swallows swoop so close to our caravan - I could watch them for ages.

I had already made this little wall hanging as at this time of year the swallows have well and truly arrived here in the UK.

I started by painting my board with PA Fresco paint - Sky.
Added some script stencilling using a Stencil Girl mini stencil randomly with Snowflake Fresco paint.

 I made the holes at the top with my Crop-O-Dile.

 I fussy cut the garland at the top (using the same TH set as the swallow) I chose to cut them out myself as I wanted to cut part of it off.
The flowers are from a set I have had for a while.

I added some script stencilling onto some press out diamonds painted white and then added a little more in a lighter grey to the board.

The swallow was stamped in grey and I darkened his eye and beak with a pen. 

I do hope you will enjoy this theme and be inspired to join in with a make of your choice.
The rules are here.

My 'T' post is the one before this.

Thanks for looking, Chrisx

Architect Tim?

Can you believe how this month has flown by - I think the unexpected warm weather may have something to do with that!
We had a great time with our son and grandchildren, even though they were only with us for three days! We managed to fit in trips to Morecambe,the Rheged Centre, Acorn bank and Kirby Lonsdale - I will post photos separately if you want to see what we got up to!
This months great Architecture challenge at Art Journal Journey is coming to an end too - I loved Sheila's choice of theme and wish I had had time to make more pages! 
My page started with wrinkle free distress on the first page in my new journal - it is an A5 Pink Pig just like the first one my youngest son bought me!

I used Stormy Sky, Old Paper and Bundled Sage DIs. I then added some further colour through the lattice stencil and a little random text.
The stamps are a mixture from Tim Holtz Classics 2,9 and 16 and the sentiment from TH Captured Moments set, all stamped using WV Potting Soil, I stamped the window and the sentiment on the back of some TH papers in my scraps folder. I masked off the centre of the window so that I could stamp the face. I used a distress tool around the window before adding some Old Paper DI. I cut the lattice using my Thinlet Mixed Media die for the corner  

before I added DM

I thought I was done, but wasn't quite happy with the sentiment that I had cut up, then remembered Tim's trick of using Distress Markers around the edge - much better!

I am linking to Art Journal Journey - Architecture 
and
A Vintage Journey - where Alison's theme this month is Art Journalling with Tim

Before I go I'd like to say Thank You for the kind comments you left for me while I was away and for the support you always give me!

Thanks for looking, Chris

   

Love Paris!

I will always love Paris, we have been at different times of the year. One year we even went twice within six months(the second time we took the two youngest as they were studying art at the time and there were some exhibitions to see)

This card is the one I made for my hubby for Valentines day - not that I like the commercialism involved these days(just as I feel the same about Halloween!)but I knew he'd get me one! He did - big and with beautiful words - see, I'm not totally against it!!!!

I used craft card and used one of my new Memory box stencils with a cloud white Versamagic chalk ink, Frayed Burlap distress over that then Walnut Stain around the edges and corners then the white ink through the stencil again in the corners. The postcard was cut from a new set by Papermania - Madame Payraud. The Paris stamp is also a Papermania stamp from the Around the World set(half price in the Range the other day!) I added a little bit of my new TH Tattered lace die that I bought the other day with a voucher I got for Christmas. Some words stamped onto some French book paper and paper bag and then Walnut Stain distress inked around the torn papers and the hearts. I thought a bit of colour in the form of a little red Studio G heart would finish it!

I would like to enter the following challenges:-

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - We love stamps!

Artistic Stamper - Use Distress

Try it on Tuesday - Travel

Ali-Crafts challenge no 9 - Valentines

Thanks for looking, Chris

Up!

It's thanks to She at Rubber Addict that I was reminded of this challenge at the Craft Barn! I love the idea of having a little book of quotes and this challenge wants 'Quotes and Lyrics' using the word "up" or "smile" for this first part of the challenge!

Living near the airport - not so close that we get a lot of noise -  we do see planes taking off up into the clouds.

I often find myself humming a certain song when I see them.
So what is the song you ask - sad to say, I know all the lyrics - written by Sammy Cahn - it's "Come Fly With Me" first sung by Frank Sinatra in 1957. My Dad had the Come Fly With Me LP(that's what they called albums in those days) that had songs about travelling around the World!

 I love flying, especially that moment when you break through the cloud up into sunshine so I used Stampendous Frantage - Shabby White because of the gold flecks in it, just above the quote in the little silver lined cloud.
The Inkylicious stamp at the bottom is one I hadn't used until now even though I bought it at a show last year. The background on the tag was made using Sky and Snowflake fresco paints from Paper Artsy then stencilled over with a TH stencil. Once I'd stuck on the plane(using foam squares although you can't tell from the photo!) from Tim's Remnants set it looked a bit bare so I added another line from the song using Ideaology label letters along with more computer generated words.

I don't know how long I'll keep up with this challenge but for now I'm really looking forward to the next two words! 

Thanks for looking, Chris

August into September - already!!

My, doesn't time fly when you're having fun! I actually had my September page all ready on the first, then as no link was set up on Kate's blog decided to leave it a day or two, then ……well, here we are it's the 9th and I'd forgotten all about it! So September is well and truly on it's way to the beginning of Autumn…….

……and here's my page. I don't often feature fairies but I do have a lot of Lavinia stamps and thought that they would go very nicely with my new Dylusions mask. The page had a good spritz with water before spraying with Dylusions ink spray, then mopping up, some ghosting using more masks and water, a little bit of stamping using Artistic Stamper background stamps(You can see the results of my mopping up here)
August was a fun month spent with grandchildren much of the time and of course my chance to attend a workshop with the master himself - Tim Holtz! 

I am linking to the wonderful Kate's blog and looking forward to seeing lots of other calendars, although sadly not so many now as a lot of folk choose to only post on Facebook. I do hope that some of you decide to do both as Facebook is a no no for me!
Thanks for looking, Chris  

Journal cat

I had two trips to the Manchester craft show this week - once when I spent far too much and another when I didn't spend much at all. Both trips were great because I met up with friends and crafting acquaintances too! 
Suffice to say I was quite weary by the time last night came as I had also done a 'big shop' on Friday!
Eager as I was to play with my new goodies I sat and did some doodling while on the settee watching tv!
The background had been painted and inked some time ago and was waiting for me!
This is what I came up with

Well, I drew the little cat and the branches - but didn't really have anything in mind - until this morning - so I had a little heart from Tim's Heartwings die which I bought on Thursday, along with some fresco paints so I used the heart and painted on some green paint. Stamped Lindsay's little cat without her ball of wool, used letters from one of my little boxes and doodled the edge and some little hearts! Last thing to be done were the butterflies from a box of Cavellini stamps.
I hope you like it! 
I am hoping to enter it in Hel's Sunday Stamper challenge.  
Thanks for looking, Chris

WOYWW 180

I've been busy, just not on my desk! What I have got in my space is ...stash!! We (hubby and I) went to the NEC last Friday! I must say he walked around with a bit of a startled expression until we reached the foodie area when I was able to escape back to the craft area! It was great to meet up with old friends...and spend some money on goodies!
So on this 180th chance to go touring the desks of the world - all organised by Julia - I'm showing what I spent my cash on! 

Some stamps(just a few LOL!)A TH set with a pear on it, a couple of Lavinia stamps(love that stag), a couple of Inkylicious stamps, two mini Paper Artsy stamps and yet more alpha stamps! I also fell for a splodge mat and some Christmassy dies. Yes my feet did ache after walking around but I think I would go again (without hubby probably!)
I think you may also be able to see some of the cards I made while we were away at our caravan at the weekend(hmmm, we did go slightly wrong here as we decided to drive straight up the M6 to Junction 35 after the NEC - traffic jams most of the way!)
I made them using stamps from this - that only cost me £3 at the show instead of the usual £7.99

  I didn't want to get everything out at the caravan so I used some old paper bags and some old music sheets,distress inks and some papers from a magazine.

 I've also finished a few more scrap paper cards using Lindsay's Tinchies ...definitely need to crack on with more Christmas cards now!
Thanks for looking, an afternoon of unpacking and washing ahead but I will try and visit some desks too!
Chrisx

I don't but my grand-daughter does...

Halloween that is! It's been a while since I posted but a lot has been going on! Such as ...meeting up with Ann and Pat in Leeds!(great to meet up and spend money on crafty things as well),going to see the extremely talented Lindsay Mason demonstrate at Cardcraft in Lancaster(you should have seen what she was making-incredible baubles, which I hope she does a tutorial for on her blog-hint!hint!), spending time with family at our caravan(and out and about), going to appointments(my sugar level is up :( and needs monitoring)and trying to unpack more of those bloomin' boxes! 
So...some of the goodies I bought in Leeds went to the caravan to be used by my grandchildren - only thing is Scrabble and technology won as far as my grandson is concerned!
What did we make? Well, a few weeks ago I bought a set of Artistic Stamper jars and decided they would make super spooky halloween bunting!

Emily is becoming quite a stamping expert,she didn't think we had enough jars so just set out to stamp some more,when I told her there wouldn't be enough room on the paper she surprised me by saying she had already measured up and that she could get four more!

You may be able to see that we used an assortment of stickers, stamps and spooky colours, she was able to pick out parts of stamps(found a small TH atc stamp with a small skull on it,and she loves Lindsay's 'Henpecked and stitched up by the cat' from her 'Off The Wall' range)) by using distress markers.

We managed to make our bunting go the whole length of the caravan living room

and then scoop it up ready to take home...

...and balance a pound coin at the same time!!

Of course I didn't keep her slaving all the time - we went off to South Lakes Zoo and she got to feed some penguins

We also went on a visit to Farfield Mill near Sedburgh where she caught the weaving bug(the photos are on my phone - when I get them on to the computer I will show you pics)

Ok, enough of showing off my little treasure! I'll leave you with this picture of a wonderful sunset we had while up North!

Thanks for looking, Chrisx

Tag(s)

I don't often make tags, no particular reason why not it's just not the first thing I turn to when I just feel like playing. However, yesterday while having a bit of a sort out I came across some I'd started but not finished. Didn't feel in the mood for anything else this morning, so while waiting for the washer to finish a cycle I finished them off.

This one had been stamped and heat embossed using a Tim bird stamp and a Wendy Vecchi leaf stamp onto a distress inked and spritzed background, so I just darkened the edges with Tumbled Glass ink over a stencil and drew in  a branch.

This was just an inked and spritzed stamp so I used a Brilliance orange over a leaf stencil then added Spiced Marmalade and Brushed Corduroy around the edge, stamped with Tim birds, Lost Coast bird, and Kaisercraft word. 


We've been told there will be a bit of a delay with the flat - red tape stuff - so instead of sorting stuff this weekend we're going to get away for a few days. We've already got enough for a boot sale so hopefully we can get a pitch in a few weeks time at a local indoor one.I haven't done a boot sale since the boys were in primary school and hubby has never done one - I understand they start so much earlier these days - used to be 9.00 back then!!


Hope you all have a lovely weekend, thanks for your lovely, encouraging comments, Chris

So True!

Just a journal page to show you.

I certainly feel as though I'm dreaming at the moment! Things are happening so fast too!
The panel with the text on was from trying out some water colours and along with the bird was from Elusive Images. Background was made by 'smooshing' with distress stains then I used various background stamps from Kaisercraft and dabbed ink through the wing of a Tattered Angels bird mask. The flying birds are of course Tim's and the little flowers at the bottom are MollyBlooms.


Bit concerned at the minute as they are knocking down a building close by and I keep feeling the ground shake!!!


Thanks for looking, Chris

New look

Good Day to all, I think at long last I'm beginning to get the hang of this. 

I promised a look at a little notebook I've made. It started out as something I could take away with me, and something to use up scraps and it just went on from there - a little bit of collage,stamp in and just enjoying myself!!  

Kaisercraft text stamp, scraps, heart from a bargain sheet 

when a shop in Morecambe closed down,Studio G letters

   Crafty Individuals image, Kaisercraft stamps, 

Martha Stewart lace punch

Kaisercraft stamps, Crafty Individuals image, Eiffel Tower image from card bought in Accesorize, Martha Stewart leftovers from craft club project, scraps

 Kaisercraftstamp, Cuttlebug text, squared paper 

Darkroom door stamp, Penny Black stamp, scraps, 

music napkin, Crafty Individual bird stamps.

                 Tim Holtz salvage sticker, tissue tape and adage ticket, scraps and Kaisercraft stamps

I really enjoyed doing this and have already started another,I kept it thin enough to pop in my bag but on reflection don't think I will (not just yet anyway).

Woop! Woop! and not so Woop!, garage just rung to say car will be ready tonight - then gave me the cost!$!?! Oh well.....

Thank you for looking and for your comments, which I love reading, Chrisx

                             

How quick?

Just wondering how quick is a quick post, I have cards to make before I go to craft class this morning, where I hope we are going to learn how to knit a brooch!

Had a relaxing weekend up in Carnforth, didn't want to leave the lovely view and come back to rows of houses...but here I am!

A few weeks ago at lovely Lindsay Mason's journaling class I started three pages,one is on another post here, one is still work in progress and then there's this one.
We painted a face straight onto paper, really scary,LOL. My poor lady's eyes looked as though she had a serious deformity so I tried(when I got home) to give her eye make-up - BIGGG mistake! So OK, here she is .... I used some scraps of paper, some Lost and found clocks, Graphic 45 watch and white rabbit,the words came from a selection of mags. These pages quite sum up my life sometimes (my boys always give me a meeting time sometime before I am due to meet them -but I've sussed them he!he!) I thought retirement was supposed to be quiet!
Must go or I'll be late for craft class!!!
Thanks for looking, Chris

Izzy Wizzy

Hi! My horoscope in the Sunday paper said it was going to be a busy week but didn't say how busy! I seem to have so much coming up-one week only sort of stuff and I know that next week will be back in the old routine so I mustn't complain!
Now to see if I can show you some piccies
Hmmm.......1 day later:( 

 OK soooo! this is the umpteenth attempt to put anything at all here and look at the size!!! If I change it everything goes fuzzy so here I have a dilemma - to leave or not to leave? OK, leave.

 On Tuesday night I was at a celebration event for Manchester in Bloom at Manchester Town Hall, in the great hall no less!! That building, which I think is one of the most beautiful in the north west, is even better inside. I didn't really need the loo but went just so that I could nosy and then was even more delighted when we had to leave by a different door from the one we came in at. I have decided that I must book in for a guided tour in the new year!!

 Jo(a brilliant oraganiser who gets us all motivated) and Everard.(and just look behind them!!)
  Wednesday night was a meal out at a carvery to celebrate my youngest's 28th, the whole family were there and guess what.... I forgot my camera! Managed to take a few on my phone but I hate doing that:( 
Blood test yesterday then drove to Warrington to pick my youngest grandson from school.
 Fortunately, in between all the to and froing I have managed to complete my atcs for Heather's Movers and shakers swap.

  Can you see the moving part?(clue on middle one) Distress inks,Crafty individuals images and stamp,charms that aren't quite angels and 'Lindsay ribbon'
My tryptich for Heather's Christmas swap

                 The front...Tim and Crafty Individuals stamps,holly stamp(loose in my Christmas box?)rock candy distress crackle paint, lace,tape

                 ...and the back.
I've also made a LOAD of Christmas cards!, but enough for today, shopping next and, as Scarlett said "Tomorrow is another day"!!
Thanks for looking,have a good weekend, Chrisx

 

Rolling along

What a lovely sunny day we had today, pity I've been inside all day. I had my nephew's birthday card to do for the weekend and that led me to make a few more cards - mainly Christmas and this one which I'm quite pleased with.

 Jane at Dawn Bibby Studios has been very patient with me, as the first time she showed me this paper rolling technique I didn't go away and practice doing it, and totally forgot how to do it. She very kindly showed me again and since then I have used it quite a lot. The flowers of course, Tim's tattered, stamped all over with a Paper Artsy swirly stamp and using another technique of Janes, highlighting some of the Graphic45 motifs with Glossy Accents,and I know it's lazy, but I do love colouring Craftwork sentiments.

Thank you for looking,

Chris