Challenge time!

I haven't posted for a while, but I have been busy. I did a craft fair - my first - not as successfully as I would have liked, but sold a little of everything (cards, mini cards, gift tags and jewellery). So, wasn't a complete loss. Anyway, what it does mean is all the Christmas cards I'd made will pretty much cover me for the cards I need to send out, and at least I won't be making tags at 10.30pm on Christmas eve, as the presents are all wrapped.

The card I'm posting today is one inspired by an earlier card I'd made, and my entry into the Passion for Papertrey challenge (peach, green and brown colours), and the CAS-ual Fridays challenge (off the edge). The photography is horrible - just couldn't get the lighting right, but I needed to get the card into the post - the dear lady that it is for turned 100 years old today.

Anyway, peach coloured chipboard numbers - just some that I had, the remainder of the supplies are SU - very vanilla cardstock, certainly celery ink and ribbon, soft suede ink - so I fit the colour challenge, with a PTI die, hanging over the edge of the card - the CAS-ual challenge.

All done in a rush, Friday night, following a chance phone call with my mother, so I could get it into the post Saturday morning on my way to work.

Christmas Cards!

Long time no post. We had a good summer, didn't go away, just trips here and there, the park and the garden, and a bit of baking, scout camp, cub camp and sleepovers. But back to school now, and hopefully I can schedule in some craft time.

PTI countdown again, and here's a card I have cased from todays post here (you have to scroll down quite a bit). I love the original - think my version needs a little work (and could definately do with that new, unreleased think big sentiment), but basically I'm happy with it. It fits in with the current Passion for Papertrey challenge.

Card: SU Whisper white and crumb cake

Ink: SU

Stamps: Chevron - WMS, snowflakes and sentiment PTI

My little brooch

Well the two classes voted and my friend and I both got the top number of votes. So we both won a book to 'share' - fab stuff inside. Anyway the comp was fun, and I enjoyed entering. Was challenging as it involved using metals I don't normally use, and I ended up with an item thats not my general style of jewellery making either - but I like it, and I'm pleased to have it back again. Now, just where to pin it?

PTI Case Challenges

Well its that time of month again, when PTI have new releases, and to try persuade ourselves we don't need more stash we case a few cards we like. Not that it seems to work.

Anyway, the first is a case from Lisa Johnson - I quite like the design, but not sure about the colouring of the edges of the white card - kinda makes it look dirty - perhaps I just haven't mastered the technique yet... And I changed the position of the ribbon and bow too. It just seemed to work better there on my card.

And the next card is one of Nicole Heady's. My sewings a little wonky, and I've changed the colours from the one Nicole Heady used.

Passion for Papertrey Challenge

The Passion for Papertrey blog challenge this time round is borders - so here's my entry


I've used 3 different border dies, eyelet lace, small scallop and ric rak along with twinkle and think big 3 stamp sets, and a flower fusion die.

These are going to be the thank-you cards for school teahers and assistants for my 3 children.

Home Brooch

My jewellery tutor set our class a challenge - if we wanted to join in, we had to make a brooch from a little packet of supplied materials (an oblong of guilding metal, a small square of brass, some copper shim - really thin pliable copper sheet, a small square of copper, some paper, and a small piece of silver for rivoting). We were allowed to add no more than 5g of silver, and whatever other materials we wanted.

I took my inspiration from PTI's Love Lives Here stamp set for the house shape - not a direct copy, as the metal I had was slightly smaller - but pretty similar. The sun rising, and the dangles were all just 'things' that emerged along the way in my design process.

The second part of the challenge was to use as many different techniques as possible - think I've scored highly on that one. The blue colour on the copper and brass was achieved with a little help from amonia and vinegar. And because I wanted to 'hang' the home sign I rivoted with silver tube. Used my own patterned papers.

The little dangles at the bottom have a meaning - the heart for love; the pearl (June), amythyst (Feb) and tube bead represents opal (October) are for my 3 children. And the bird? I just like them :o)

Its not my usual style - but I really like this brooch. And it was fun to make too. And lots cheaper than using silver.

Anyway, tonight is the night we have to 'submit' the brooches for judging. Think we all get to vote, and possibly the other class get to vote on our stuff too. We all paid a little extra so the winner could have a small prize. I think we've all enjoyed making them - and there are some great designs - will be good to see them all together.

Some Case'd cards

Well its PTI new release time again, so here are some cased projects - to try convince me I really don't need to buy more ;o)

First up, a little favor bag, it does more or less what the new die is meant to do - just involves a little fiddling with the die I currently have - and I'm quite pleased with the result. I did try cut the kraft bit all in one go, but that required half putting the die through my big shot, then moving it, and putting the top half through. Sadly it wasn't lined up as good as I thought, so had to make a cut across the bottom to have the 'straps' and the base as 2 bits. Anyway, the original is in this post here

The next card I'm also very pleased with - managed to find a vase/flower stamp that I've had for ages, and it makes a good substitute - though if I were to make this card again, I'd move the sentiment and not stay true to the one I'd cased (in this post). Either way, I like the layout, so will use this as a sketch for another card.

And this is my final card for today - I changed the colours slightly, and didn't have a pencil image I could use, so made more of the sentiment instead. Should really have done a little more stamping to the circles, but was running out of time. Anyway, the original is here.

And the TV interview? Went OK. She filmed me making some earrings, then interviewed me, and my tutor. Took a good hour. Was on TV for all of 45 seconds! But what was shown wasn't too embaressing either, so I don't *think* I made a fool of myself.

Fame!

Well, almost. The school that I do my jewellery class at have been busy. I had the Chronicle phone me today for a quick interview. And just as I was on my way out to pick the kids up from school, the jewellery class organisers phoned to say they'd arranged an interview with Meridian TV could I be at the school at 9.30am tomorrow? Anyone got any good tips on how to loose 3 stone overnight? What will I wear? It'll involve an ironing board at some point I'm sure. More to the point, what will I say? I hope I won't make a fool of myself. Worried I'll either clam up, or babble on insainly.

And I wonder if I'll be through in time to go to my step class? Normally on a Tuesday I roll out of bed and get ready for the gym - bugger my appearance. Will have to shower, do my hair, look nice etc tomorrow. I'll put my gym stuff in the boot of the car. After all I didn't make it to any classes last week, (kids on half term).

My Ring on display at the V&A!

Well today was the day my ring finally went on display at the VandA museum - its there until 3rd July. It was very exciting knowing that my ring is in one of the big museums in London. These are some of the ladies on the course I do - some from Monday nights, and some from Tuesday night (which I do), and our tutor in the middle. It really was lovely to share my experience with them all.


And my ring (and the drivel I wrote about it - try not to laugh too much)

And just in case you missed seeing my ring in all its glory, I thought I'd subject you to it again!

Sewing!

I bought a small cheap sewing machine before Christmas. A long time before Christmas. It was for 2 things really - something I could maybe let my children loose on, but mainly for me to play with sewing onto card. I have a bigger machine. A proper one. But thought I'd rather ruin a cheap one thats easy to get out and put away on card (or with the kids). Well today was that day. I released it from its box, and the plastic surrounding it. I skipped the instructions (don't you?) attempted to make it work, and then went back to the instructions and skimmed through the bit that says 'using your machine'. OMG its a freaky little thing! But I think I'm slowly mastering it. Slowly. So, no sewn card today, maybe I'll have mastered the freaky little machine enough to produce a card with sewing on by tomorrow. Maybe.

No more time today, school run, then dinner and an extra to entertain tonight as a favour to a friend. WHAT HAVE I DONE? On a school night. I have an extra 4yr old to look after for the night. Here's hoping she and my lovely 5yr old daughter will fall asleep instantly at 8pm. (How unlikely is that?). Millie came out with the most delightful thing yesterday - she cycled to her school farm trip. Its 8 miles from the school. The mother that was taking her, also took her own and another friends child. When asked what happend to the bikes at the farm, she said that the bikes were tied to the mummy. All with a straight face. She lives in a funny little world of imagination, where bottles or stones or whatever she has to hand talk to each other. Well, the school run beckons. Off to collect the little people. And put the freaky machine away.

A couple of Cards

This first card is made with a fabulous SU SAB set - with lots of options. I don't make that many flowery cards, but really love how this turned out.

And it was my sisters birthday on Saturday - this is the card she got from us - all PTI stamps and dies, using SU card.

Easter Day

I had a lovely day - a family day. The children were all keen to have their Easter Eggs first thing - I asked that they tidy their bedrooms, get dressed, make beds etc to keep putting them off. After getting them to brush their teeth, I said there was no point in tucking into an egg straight after cleaning their teeth, and perhaps they should wait till after we went to Church. (Mean Mummy I know).

At Church, a friend asked the boys back for lunch and a play, so off they went. We had a quiet lunch, and then Millie and I played in the garden with her new Hello Kitty toy - then she went for a walk in the woods with her dad.

The boys came home just after 4pm (still no eggs at this point), and we finally had the Egg Hunt. I'd put little 'notes' (PTI lunchbox note die) that had been decorated around the garden. The kids all had their own set to hunt for, then they had to work out what the letters spelt (Esaster Egg) before I would hand over the chocholatey prizes.

I know he doesn't look very impressed in the photo, but he did say he really enjoyed the hunt.


James also enjoyed looking for the little notes



And Millie was the first to find all of her notes - but then I'd put them in slightly easier places to find.

And this is Millies decorated notes. The boys notes were similar, just in a different colour scheme.

And finally a big Sunday roast to finish the day off.

More Tags and Cards

Made these cards over the last couple of days. First one is for my SIL, its her birthday tomorrow. Was a really quick card to make.


Second is just a 'stock' card

And a matching tag for the above card, and a random tag - loving making these at the moment. Should have put the ribbon in before taking the photo though!

All stamps PTI, (loving my new Twinkle background stamp), inks and card Stampin Up.

Simple Card

Just a quick card I made this morning. Will have to get the supplies out a little more often. Chevron stamp is Waltzing Mouse, Happy Birthday is PTI

V&A Ring Update

I've had the exciting news today that my ring has been shortlisted for the V&A Inspired by... competition. I have to take it to the V&A on Friday, and I guess they look at it (so far they have only seen photos of it). And I see what happens next. I'm happy though.

Silver Jewellery

Something else I've been working on recently - a commission for a friends birthday. Got it back from hallmarking yesterday, so its had its final polish, and will be handed over later today.

It was quite fiddly to make, but not too difficult, just a little time consuming.

(The dot in the top left is a speck of dust inside the camera lens - the only way to get it removed is by sending off for a clean - and I haven't got any lovely photo editing software that I can remove it with. And the thought of being without a camera for a few weeks is what is really putting me off doing it.)

PTI playday!

Well our PTI playday is almost here. There is a group of us on ILWS that have arranged to get together and do a shoebox swap - we each design a card/project and put all the supplies in a shoebox for making that project (enough for one each). Tomorrow we (mostly all) get together to make our projects - a few will be playing from home as they could not make it along.

My card is shown below


And it can be made either way.

Card, ink and ribbon, all stampin up.

Stamps and dies all from PTI

I made some card candy too (little 'elements' that can be stuck onto a card) - but don't have a picture of that. Perhaps after tomorrow I will have one to show.

PTI Challenge Day 2

Well its day 2 of our challenge, and today, rather than taking inspiration and producing a card, I did my best to copy Nicole Heady's card below (original post by Nicole is here - scroll down a bit for this card).


Anyway, this is my version. I don't have the exact polkadot stamp set used, and rather than tearing a page from a book I stamped the written background.

I'm pretty pleased with the result. I'm getting alot out of these challenges - finding ways of using stamp sets I already have, and dies. It really makes you think about how with a little adjustment, you can get by.

Not sure I'll do tomorrows challenge (at work all day), or Sunday's (having a fun 'playday' with some fellow stampers. But I might do a 'catch up' on Monday. Just need to pick at least one project per day to find inspiration from.

PTI Challenge

There is a group of us over at ILWS that love PTI products, but this month we are trying to resist the new release stamps and dies, so have challenged ourselves to create something that takes inspiration from the release projects, using current stash that we already have.

This is the first card by Nicole Heady (her orignal post can be found here)


And my slightly more muted version - I made a little mistake in the stamping, so had to change the orientation, so I could stick my sentiment over the top to hide it! A very simple card, that really didn't take long to make at all.

And the next card by Nicole that I took my inspiration from:

And my card, agian in soft colours. Had to make my own gingham pattern, using some distressed stripes, and instead of using the simple framed shape (not yet released), I used mat stack 4 die and stamp set, and Fillable Frames 12 for the sentiment. I've loaned my flower die to someone, but managed to find this felt flower I'd had hanging around to use instead.

It was a fun challenge. And I'm going to try pick a project from the next few release days to take inspiration from too. Hopefully will take enough of the shine off the new stuff for me to not want to go straight out and buy it! At least for now.

Random Stuff!

My daughter is continually admiring her rounded stomach (gernerally after a large dinner), and pronouncing she has a baby in her tummy. Well, tonight was obviously the night, that her tummy expanded, helped enormously by a balloon (all her doing). She happily posed for the camera.

Later, at bedtime stories (balloon now gone), she told me the baby had come out of her tummy and was sleeping. If only it really was that simple...

I'm currently enjoying making banners, and this one was for hubby, and his recent birthday. A complete surprise for him - I'd had to wait till he had gone to bed before stringing it up ready for him to see in the morning (after his breakfast in bed). Not a great photo, due to flash requirement, this was taken on a very grey day.

And a close up of the individual banner triangles - you can't really see but I have used patterned papers (Stampin up - sweat pea).

And finally, I've entered a competition, run by the V&A, Inspired by... The entry form and photos arrived with them today (I've done the on-line tracking thing with RM), so I'm hoping that it stands out and they like it. If they do, the winners (?) entries are displayed in an exhibition in June this year - would be great to be able to say I had something exhibited at the V&A wouldn't it? But I expect there are a high number of entrants, all with stunning entries (variety of mediums), so I'm trying to be realistic about my chances. Still, it was a challenging piece to make, which I enjoyed. I also left it a bit last minute - really should have been more organised about this.

Clearly if my ring is picked to be displayed, I shall be shouting from the rooftops about it. If not, you probably won't here about this again... I won't know until March some time.

Christmas

Well, Christmas Day was lovely. Callum's obvious delight at receiving his DS




James was also over the moon with hits train set

And Millie loves her huge doll

And this was the box for table favors that I made. A sizzix die cut the boxes, I printed names onto card then punched them out with a large circle punch from SU, and the snowflake stamped, and placed on red card cut from a lable die from PTI. The card goes all the way round the box. And inside? Little gifts taylored to the receipient - they all enjoyed so much more than some tacky gift from a cracker, and I spent less than a box of crackers on the lot!

Happy New Year!