AVJ #4

Over at A Vintage Journey their theme is Spring Flowers

I finally felt inspired to play with some of my new goodies and this is what I made.

I used the Sizzix accordion flip 3D die to create the base, Papers are from the 'wallflower pad' edged with scattered straw DI. I also stamped the white edges of the inner pieces with the floral rosette type stamp from the 'nature walk' set.

The flowers are the smallest from the tattered florals die, cut in 2 colours and layered up with scattered straw distress stickle centres, and a smidge of victorian velvet DI.

The leaves are from the 'spring greenery' strip die and splodged with some mowed lawn DP.

The letters are from the 'block talk alpha' bigz XL die.

The last thing I added {which in hindsight should of been done much earlier} was to add some texture with grunge paste through a mini chicken wire stencil.

And job done, Hope you like.. This will be winging it's way to a special someone soon.

Stay Inky

Christmas in January!

I've got a running challenge with my dear friend Ann this year to make 5 christmas cards a month so actually come christmas time neither of us will have to rush like we always do..
So Ann here are mine so you know i'm not fibbing

I tried cut and dry felt to make your own ink pad for the first time during Tims tags, and i knew straight away this would be a great idea for christmas cards too.. And although the images are all the same i have switched up the elements on each card to give each one a slightly different look.

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Not long now till OWOH begins.. i'll be back bright and early tomorrow so see you then x

♥ HUGZ ♥

UTEE Spi-cam

First let me start by saying "shame on me", I've not been the best of blogger's this past couple of weeks, don't know where the time is going, and usual every day life tends to get in the way as well, maybe I'll do better in march!!!

So today I've made a little time to share with you a UTEE piece i did that just happens to fit in with this weeks challenge over on Lots To Do

Which is to "Alter It".. and I'd say my piece has well and truly been altered!

I was playing the other day with melt pot and remembered some months ago i dismantled an old broken web cam i had just lying around {waste not want not}

So decided to assemble a couple of the pieces and set them together in a rectangle mould with some clear UTEE..

Once it was all set i used some sticky backed foil

to edge & back it and add the lens to the top.

I added a Tim Holtz clasp pin to the back

so i can either wear it as a brooch or necklace.

Short but sweet post i know, but better than nothing at all!

Thanks for dropping by.

xx Hugz xx

Better late than never!

Here, finally is my Me 2 U piece for December.. but i am also being cheeky and putting it forward for both the Object D'Art Altered Book challenge and last weeks Big Art Adventure of Altering a Canvas

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The piece was created using an old hardback book and 2 mini 4x4 canvases.

{I've put all the pics in a sideshow to save you having to scroll down! lol}
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To be honest i have neither the time, nor patients right now to add how i made this but would be happy to answer any questions you have, just leave a comment.

I'm feelin rough as old boots right now and think I'm coming down with Flu!

All i will say is it was a mammoth project that had it's ups and downs but i got there in the end, and it is now safely in its new loving home.

Thanks for dropping by, call again soon x

xx Hugz xx

No time for craft

OK who nicked all the days this week.....I've no idea where they all went!

I'm distraught as I've just not had any proper time to craft, i did go to a craft show @ Exeter which was a bit of a let down to be honest, although I still managed to gather a few supplies, but cheered myself up by putting in a order @ The Artistic Stamper as Jennie has lots of nice new Ten Second Studio goodies, would of been rude not to buy lol

I did however get a lovely award

from Alison which also cheered me up, so thank you hun.

Sorry there is nothing more exciting for you to view, but i do have stuff coming up soon as there are 3 fab challenges that i just have to do..

Check out the new Themes on

Big Art Adventure

Object D'Art

Lots To Do

Hopefully I'll be back blogging mid week with the pieces for each of these challenges!

xx Hugz xx

My very first Art Doll

Wow, where did the week go.

I cant believe its the Big Art Adventure and Lots To Do Challenges again.

BAA's theme this time is

BOTTLECAPS

and LTD's theme is

KEYS

And here i proudly present my very first Art Doll

Miss Domi Lockheart
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As you can see she is made up of Bottle tops, a Tin, Dominoes and Keys.

I'm not going to explain excatly how i made her as it would take forever.

But if you want to know anything, feel free to leave me a comment and i'll reply when i get a chance.
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My favourite view is of her is her insides, as it reveals her Heart

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I also just realised that i can enter this as another piece for

the Object D'Art Challenge as this time round it's TIN.

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Thanks for stopping by

Visit again soon

xx Hugz xx

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Challenge Double

I had 2 challenges that i had to complete and decided it would be fun to combine them both into one project.

The latest performance on Object D'Art is

A TIN

and Lot's To Do's theme this time round is
NEWSPAPER.
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After trying different pages of an old newspaper, i finally decided on the games page.

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I cut out sections of the main games like the crossword and sudoku and applied them to the tin using copydex {this was really sticky and i managed to get it all over my fingers, but it was the nearest thing to hand that had a brush already in it, yes I'm lazy, i know, so i would probably recommend if your gonna try this to use another form of glue} anyway as i was saying..

Once i had got an all over coat of papers i added a couple of the words from the same page.

Next i removed the lid so i could ink the tin.

I used Pitch Black and Pearl alcohol inks to cover all the sides but didn't touch the inside or bottom.

I stamped the words "Game On" onto the plastic window in the centre using black stazon, then edged it using my Inkssentials white pen.

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To finish i used some wax linen thread to edge just around the window and lid & base edges and gave the whole thing {minus the window} a thin coat of Matt accents to protect. And popped a couple of Prima flowers and some ribbon to add texture.

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Now all i need to do is make a book or something to go inside.. but thats for another day.

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Thanks for stopping by, visit again soon.

xx Hugz xx

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My Word!

Over at Big Art Adventure this time round the theme is

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A WORD on a SIGN

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Go check it out if your intrigued!

{it's easier than me trying to explain the title lol}

I absolutely loved this idea and set straight to work creating my piece.

I choose a mini canvas i received for Xmas, as i had it sat on display all bare just begging to be altered.

And my word..

Believe.

{As in, believing in myself that little bit more.}

And here it is

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This was actually inspired by an article in Feb's issue of Craft Stamper.

I wanted to have a go with Gesso & Bubble wrap, but to be honest that didn't go well at all and nearly ruined my piece! But in the spirit of the project i carried on believing in myself that i could put it right.

I started off by painting my canvas lightly with Denim & Hazelnut Dabbers

I then stamped a couple of Ticket stamps {Invoke Art} I tried using a normal ink pad but the results didn't come out quite as good as I'd hoped so i tried my Espresso Dabber which worked better, but where i had already stamped the first ticket, i patched it up by stamping another ticket onto kitchen towel, and then tore it out and stuck it over the original, this actually gave a nice texture to the piece.

Next came the disaster of the Gesso! I did it how it says in the mag to add some gesso to a craft sheet, then roller your brayer over it and roller it onto the bubble wrap etc etc etc, but all i ended up with was a horrible white mess in the corner... for a minute i panicked but then a light bulb appeared above my head {as they do!} and i applied some denim dabber to the bubble wrap and placed it over where the gesso had failed. Hurray! it looked 10 times better {sort of} and i was happy so i carried on.

I stamped one of my fav images {Paper Artsy - Dragonfly lady -i call her} onto a page of an old book and cut her out, but she looked somewhat flat, so i twisted a piece of wire to create a tail and stamped the image again but this time on acetate with stazon and cut out just the wings.

I glued the wings with silicone and then placed the wire tail on top stuck again with silicon {so i could have more time to position correctly} and once that was dry i added just little of my new vintage photo distress stickles. I actually like these so much that i also added some to the corners of the canvas, also using the faded jeans colour.

To finish i attached My Word, which was a Tim Holtz token, {i sanded the edges of this slightly} and i pinned it to the canvas using a mini TH kilt pin {am sure that's not what there called but that's what they look like to me} any hoow, that was that.

I placed it back on it's mini easel and ta da, It all came good in the end.

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Thanks for stopping by, visit again soon x

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xx Hugz xx

.{P.S. sorry for the all over the place letter sizing, blogger is obviously having a fit or something coz it all looks right until i publish the post.. oh well !!}.

Just Charming!

No I'm not about to start moaning about someone being rude to me, but more about the latest challenge over on Big Art Adventure.

Their first theme of 2009 is

CHARMS

And seeing as i just love making these i was well up for the challenge.

Here is my creation.. I called it

"Bags Of Charm"

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I started off with an old piece of jewellery {think it was a necklace} that not being silver had gone all dark and tarnished, perfect as it went so well with the other bits and bobs i had to add to it.

I joined an ickle glass bottle with the help of some twisted and wrapped wire - of which i added a tiny piece of script paper.

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Also attached were a couple of pieces i made just messing about with my melt pot, some UTEE and wire.

I finished it with one of Tim's clasps.

Not bad for my first bag charm attempt, think i can do better though.. watch this space lol

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xx Hugz xx

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TIME for my first challenge of 2009

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Over on Lots To Do the first challenge of the year is

TIME

Seeing as it has been a while, i decided to do a mini 4x4 canvas in my fave style...

"Ah La TIM"

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I coloured the canvas with distress inks, then splurged some crackle paint on, a few random letters, bit of tape measure and a clock embellishment, oh and my trusty label maker and i was done.

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xx Hugz xx

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Recycling Rewards - Going Green

My goodness, i managed to make a NON Christmas card!

The Basic Grey Challenge this time is Going Green, and you have to use something recycled.

This card kinda made itself as once i had picked a few random bits for the recycling part of the challenge {string, light wood bark, bubble wrap} it felt like it should have quite a natural look, so i found some fab BG papers to suit, the INFUSE pad was just the job.

I also happened across another Hänglar image {can't remember where on earth i got these but wish i had more} which was coloured with copic's.

I stapled a torn segment of bubble wrap on, threaded the string through a series of holes i had punched out and stamped the wording onto the small pieces of wood bark.

And here is my effort...

Oh and i also stamped ivy in 2 of the corners to finish it off.

xx Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas xx

Tis The Season...

...To be Jolly, Fa la la la la, la la, la la!

I don't know about jolly but I'm mighty happy with my finished card for the Friday Sketchers challenge this week, I adore Heidi's sketch #32 and may have to use it again to make more cards... but for now here is my efforts.

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I used all BG papers, {on the background one i also used a stamp from the Artistic Stamper to jazz it up a bit}, Prima leaves, and a Hänglar image {i really need some of these stamps} coloured using my copics..
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xx Merry Christmas xx

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Sunday Stamper WK 38

The challenge this week is Brown and Blue.

As i was on a drive to make Xmas cards, that exactly what i did, and funny enough before i even saw the SS i had already picked out these colours.

And here it is...

I used a CB embossing folder, Nestibilities, KARS stamp, and basic card stock.

{Sorry for lack of "how its made" details, i shouldn't even be on the comp, i should be concentrating on finishing cards, but i just can't stay away lol}

xx Hugz xx

Card Fever - 3 different Challenges

Well I've gone a bit challenge crazy in a bid to try and get some cards made, and here's what I've managed so far....

This trio's inspiration came from the STAMP SOMETHING! challenge this week which is SNOW.

I used DecoArt snow writer to add dimensional snow to the lamp-post and tree. The star and edging is copper leafed, and i used some acrylic snowdrops to give the sentiment an extra edge. The snowman was stamped onto and cut out of Grungeboard, with a Cuttlebug embossed background which was sanded to highlight the design. {the stamps are by Paperbag Studio - Artistic Stamper & Rubbernecker}

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The next challenge was PENNY BLACK SATURDAY, WK#26 - sketch by Beth.

I was really unhappy with how this card was shaping up but it all came good in the end .

{All papers used were DCWV rose tinted Christmas and the PB stamp is Waving Santa.}
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And finally i had my Dad's birthday card to make and found December's sketch #2 over @ SO SKETCHY, it was actually for a 12x12 page but i used it anyway as i liked the design, and i did keep the card 6x6. {all papers were Artic Frog}

Right, i must crack on as i have a whole load more cards to try and plow through, thanks for stopping by, & come back soon!

xx Hugz xx

Curtain Call #3

Hiya blog hoppers and friends alike, thanks for stopping by, and I'm glad you did as i have just managed to finish my piece for the third performance of the Object D'Art challenge,

This time round the alterable item is a canvas.

I had a few ickle ones that i picked up at ally pally this year, so i decided to cut some short lengths of a thickish garden wire and attach 4 canvases together by making small holes in each side of the canvas and inserting the wire to form bars between them.

Next i inked the edges of each with vintages photo and worn lipstick distress inks.

I stuck a couple of bits of old book pages to a couple of the pieces, and then just salvaged about in my draws {minds out the gutter please.. you know who you are lol} to find several ickle bits to assemble to create a finished piece.

Finally i stamped a few images here and there {all stamps by The Artistic Stamper} and it was complete. This was quite a quick make, but it was still fun all the same.

xx Hugz xx

It's a Hat Trick

And no I'm defiantly not talking footy, so let me explain....

I'm a bit behind with things and realised i needed to make a card for a friends upcoming birthday, i had couple of stamped images ready and i picked out a basic grey {sultry} pad... and then i was stuck, I'm not great when it comes to layouts so i started going through this weeks challenges.

Hay presto, not only did i find Kazan's sketch #14 courtesy of

2 Sketches 4 You

which while i remember..

i have to share my Thankful List..

My 5 things to be thankful for are

1. A roof over my head to keep me safe

2.The love of a good man to keep me happy

3.A loving family and dear friends who are always there

4.A job to pay the bills

and lastly.. 5. My craft room to keep me sane {or mad if you listen to my friends lol}

but i also came across Challenge 23 on This Thursday which is Lime, Pink & Chocolate, perfect as the BG papers i picked are those colours.

So that's not only 2 challenges completed but also a birthday card to boot...SCORE!

xx Hugz xx

I was "Framed" i tell you

Objet d'art Challenge #2

This time round the curtains have opened up on the altercation of a FRAME

It just so happens i had a sad lonely cheap wood frame that i had coated silver and then left neglected for some time, i re-coloured the frame with a brown acrylic dabber.

That was the easy bit... I then must of spent a total of 2 or so hours stamping and cutting out what seemed like a never ending pile of multiple size Stitchel flowers, leaves & bugs from Basic Grey figgy pudding papers, once these were all finally done i further inked them to give an aged less shiny and new look. Then it was a case of just sticking em all onto the frame, i used silicone for this.

Ah voila.. one frame...

...but being me, i decided to go a tad further and decorate the back of the glass as well, i used a new twirl frame stamp available here to create a smaller frame inside using brown stazon, i let it dry. I have some fab copper leaf, which i stuck all round the stamped frame using my {once thought useless never used} Stick and Stamp pad {finally i have a use for it lol} and where it missed a couple of spots i dabbed some copper coloured acrylic dabber, giving the overall look from the front as sort of mottled. I finished with a cute image printed from my TH Distressables CD, highlighted a couple of areas using similar colours to those in the paper flowers to tie it all together.

It actually came out better than i thought it would so I'm quite chuffed with it.

What do you think?

xx Hugz xx

Alter a tin /me2u - the november edition!

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Over on Big Art Adventure this weeks theme is alter a tin, and it just so happens that's what i had done for this months me2u so I've killed 2 birds with one stone.

This was a first attempt at altering a small slider tin, i got a bit carried away with this i must admit lol. I coloured it using alcohol inks, added an assortment of thingies and wotsits to the front, some being Tim Holtz new sprocket gears, and hitch fasteners which are fab BTW, and can be found here, as can the clip holding it and the chain too!

The inside was also coloured using alcohol inks, i then added an old rusty key and piece of beaded cord, both stuck down with silicone glue.

Nothing fancy really, just messing about to be honest so i do hope that the receiver (Tina) likes it.

I also sent it wrapped in a little altered plastic case which i coloured again using alcohol inks, goodness what would i do without my faithful inks lol

xx Hugz xx

TIN-TASTIC

I came across the most fab site through a friend and if like me you love all things altered then you have to check out the Big Art Adventure challenge blog . I was in a real down mood having wanted to craft all day and not feeling in the mood...then i checked out this blog and way hay i was hunting high and low for an empty tin can to alter (thats this weeks theme BTW) so having found a can i set to work.

I've not really worked with tin before and don't have the right tools but me being me, that didn't stop me lol, i started by cutting out a heart shape from the front using a pair of old scissors, some pliers and snips, the edges were very sharp so i cut some long thin strips of funky foam, made a small slit lengthways in the foam and then fed the foam over the edges and secured with foil tape, this actually gave the cool puffiness to the heart, because the foil was visible i cut several bits and randomly stuck them round the rest of the tin so it all looked even, i then used an embossing ball tool to run it into the grooves of the can and smooth it down.

Next i inked both the inside and out using Lettuce, Stream and Denim alcohol inks, punched out several holes round the top edge with my crop-a-dile, and eyeletted. Next i stamped one of my fav stamps (the large Moth from the insects and butterflies plate by artistic stamper) onto some shrink plastic using both blue and green stazon. Shrunk them down and attached hand made jump rings to them to hang round the sides using the cord which would also be the hanging base.

I squeezed a load of PVA in the bottom of the tin and then coiled in some funky fibres to give a greenland feel, added a few small embellishments, flowers, ickle frog, a tiny tin top bead using UTEE & watch parts as the pond and my fav, the CD moth.

{this was made by stamping the Moth onto an old CD using again blue stazon, then using a heat gun to warm the disc and cutting it out slowly, heat-cut-heat-cut.. you get the picture, then added some twisted wire antenna's and attached to the tin propping a tiny bit of foam behind to bring it away from the wall a bit}

finally, i added a couple of sticky ladybugs and the tin was complete.

I had sooooooo much fun making this and look forward to the next challenge.

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xx Hugz xx

Christmas is coming!!!

Challenge 17 ~ Christmas is coming

Over on A Spoon full of sugar this week the topic as you can see is christmas, and seeing as i need all the help i can so i'm not making last minute cards again this year i had a go.

The card actually took ages to make as i just couldn't get the inspiration to assemble it, but eventually it all fell into place and turned out ok.

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xx Hugz xx