Well it's about time...

That I update this old blog.

Now that my craft studio that is really 'the posh shed at the bottom of the garden' is oh so nearly finished, I truly am trying to get back onto crafting in a major way. And at the moment that's not so easy.

You see, when there's a cosy fire with a cat hell bent on sitting on your knee in the house and the craft studio is at least a 30 second walk away in the freezing cold with an equally freezing interior for at least 10 minutes until the electric radiator warms the air, it takes the will power of the strongest person to make it out and up there.

However, up there I will, and I'm sure it will be easier in the summer with lighter evenings and the like.

'Till then I'll share with you some of my most recent projects (probably made a good few months ago) that have never made it onto my blog. I'll share one every other day for the next few days. Space 'em out. You know, make them go further...

 I made this card for one of my friends at the local drama group that I'm a member of. Obviously she wanted a special card for a special birthday and I think she thought this fitted the bill perfectly. I made the pink flowers and stems with a die and added paper flowers. The frame was die cut from Core'diations Whitewash paper and sanded back to add definition. I created the text on my computer. of course I had to make a box to fit this card in which I made with my Scorepal.

So, still sat here in front of the real fire with a cat sat on my arm whilst I TRY and type, don't think I'm going to make it up there tonight. It being past 11pm and all...Maybe tomorrow. 

Friends are the Essence of Life...

Hi There!

Well, what a day! Can the weather decide what to do at all today? One minute glorious sunshine, the next torrential rain. I'm sure that the farmer's are doing a celebration dance though, and rightly so!

I made this quick card yesterday. I was all fidgety and couldn't seem to settle down to anything. Do you ever get days like that, where you feel as though you have Ants in your tummy?

I was initially enveloped by the colour combination from the Color Q Challenge, and I went on to have a look for other challenges to enter. I seem to be addicted to challenges at the moment. Am I a lost cause, or is there any cure? I'd love to know the challenges you'd recommend. I've found Feline Playful through a few recommendations {thank you!},but I'd love to know which ones you enjoy.

I used a clear stamp set I've had for years...I'm so sorry I don't have a clue what it is, or who made it. If anyone has an idea, I'd love you to leave a comment. I used a mixture of pigment and dye based inks to achieve the right colour mix for the Color Q challenge. The colours are just awesome together! I also used cored'inations cardstock on the reverse side so that I didn't pick up too much texture on the stamped images. I added the ribbon through a hole created by my crop a dile before mounting onto burgundy cardstock.

I also used a masking technique to layer the images. I LOVE this technique, so I make sure I keep my masks with the stamp set so I can use until it gets too grotty.

Supplies: Stamps :Flowers, unknown; Kaisercraft Friendship Sentiments; Inks: Colorbox Red and Dune pigment; Mushroom chalk ink and Chocolate Brown dye based ink. Cardstock: Vanilla and scarlet Core'dinations cardstock. Ribbon: Brown Spotty Ribbon from Country Baskets

I'd like to enter the card into the following challenges:

• ColorQ Challenge: 

• Anything goes challenge #42 {masking}
• Crafts and Me Challenge #38 {stamp something}
• Diva's by Design {florals}
• Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge #55 {Friends} 

Thanks for coming by today...It's around dinner time so I'm hoping that we'll be eating soon!