Getting obsessed?

Hi All. Like my new card? I think I'm getting ever so SLIGHTLY obsessed with these feathery critters. I saw an idea for a christmas tree and present in the new issue of 'Making Cards' and thought 'I could use that idea to make an owl card', so here it is. I've just tried writing the instructions to make it and have given up. If you would like the instructions, please leave a comment and I'll email them to you. Of course my wonderful Cricut was involved in the making of the card and you could adapt him for any occasion.
Whhooooo likes the card then???

Crafting and owls

Hello there!!
Here I am again after a short break. I've been pretty busy the past couple of days so haven't had chance to update my blog. I went to the falconry centre at the weekend, even though the weather wasn't brillant on the Saturday. I never fail to be impressed by the birds there - especially the owls and I ALWAYS come away having learnt something new! I love the way that when owls are nervous they can suddenly draw themselves in and go all thin and small.

I think my biggest challenge was picking up a semi-wild hawk. It hasn't been handled that much and if said I was apprehensive I'd be lying!! The trick is to show them that you aren't scared - easier said than done, especially when there's wings flapping in you face and a hooked beak inches away!! She settled down eventually and I felt really pleased with being able to cope with her. All this is very easy when you've got support from a proper falconer a few feet away, there is no way I would have wanted to be on my own with her, and I wouldn't be allowed to!!

Craft-wise, I've started to make the card/paper train for my father-in-law for christmas -shhh, don't tell him! He's really into trains and likes a particular one called 'The Tornado'. I've downloaded loads of pics of this train and am trying to make it as life-like as possible. I went into a shop the other day and have found some small bushes/trees that I can use in the presentation box. I want to present the train on a piece of track in the box too. If I think on I'll put the link to the site where I've bought the template from.

I'm also taking part in another forum's 'secret santa' which I've got the idea for but I've just got to get going with it. What with owls and crafting it looks like I'm in for a busy few weeks!!

Thanks for stopping by....!!!!

Just Playin'...

Well, I was busy on saturday and monday playing with my new toy that I bought from the NEC on Saturday. I got hold of the modern version of the wooden toy with nails stuck in it that I had as a kid for french knitting. I saw a lady making necklaces, lariats and bracelets with said toy and just had to have a go! The necklaces were really easy to make and didn't take long at all. The one on the left of the pic is made with braid and the other with wire and beads that I picked up from Primark, originally as bracelets for £2! I'm really pleased with both of them and am going to try and make some for Christmas pressies if I get time!

Seeing as I've posted a pic of two recent necklaces that I've made I thought I'd also include a pic of one that I made from UTEE a couple of weeks ago. I really like this necklace and enjoyed making it, although I had to be quick stamping the image into the warm UTEE, and then cutting it to fit the memory frame that I put it in. I also placed a small piece of of glass at the front of the frame to protect the UTEE. I wore it at the NEC and had some lovely comments!

On a more gloomy note it looks as if the weather is going to be too wet for me to go to the falconry centre on saturday, never mind, more crafting time instead!!!!

NEC - Birmingham

Well today I went to the NEC in Birmingham. The Hobbycrafts/Hobby Art Live! show(s) were on and I wanted some bits and pieces so off I tootled...
The place was packed when I got there (10.10am). It's the first time I've been on a Saturday and I'll certainly be sticking to my usual Sunday next time! It was too busy for me. I'm not great in queues and ended up not going to the loo as the queue was too long.
I managed to pick up some card blanks (C6 x50 for £3.99) and a few stamps that I'd had my eye on. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get the Inkadinkadoo swirly snowman stamps that I REALLY wanted. Nowhere seems to have them.
I've invested in a kit of Friendly Plastic that looks great and seems a really versatile product to use. I think its abit like UTEE but in a hard form rather than crystals. You seem to be able to make more 3D objects with it, although I have been reading that if it gets left out in the really hot sun then it will melt! I can't wait to get in the craftroom and start playing.
I also bought some gilding flakes. I haven't got much of a clue what to do with them -YET! Just give me time!
Aside from the crowds and the heat (boy was I glad I'd taken my wheelie bag) I did learn loads and look forward to posting some pics on here for you to see!

New Carts

Today was a pretty exciting day today as through the post came a couple of cartridges for my Cricut that I've bought from ebay. I've been waiting for them to come down in price for a while and my patience finally paid off last week. I've sat tonight and just looked through the books to see what they can do. I'll scribble some ideas down and then put the carts through their paces next week when I've finished some other cardmaking projects I'm working on at the mo. BTW the carts are Hello Kitty and Stamped - this one has a lovely owl that has got LOADS of potential. I bought a lovely 'twiggy' tree at the weekend that has lights on, ready for the 'C' word. I'd like to hang some of the Cricut owls from it and put it by the fireplace. It can stay there all winter then

I really must get working on my pressie that I'm going to do for 'Secret Santa' on the Omlet website. I've got the ideas but daren't write too much here about it incase one of them sees and my secrets out!

So much crafting to do and so little time, and I'm still devouring books about falconry in between everything else that I do. Still, I suppose it keeps me out of mischief!!!

Hi there. Well you can see from the little piccys that I have been busy again. The thank you card was made for one of my sister-in-laws. The card is actually a box card (although this doesn't show up very well on the photo). I used the gorgeous Pumpkin and Aubergine stamps, this one is from the 'Cupcake Delight' set. I love these cute kitties and can't wait to see what other designs are brought out in the future.

These cute cards were made for Halloween to give out to friends

and family, though they didn't get to them! I had them on my craft table ready to send and then forgot all about them! I suppose they'll do for next year!

Something else that I got up to at the weekend was I began voluntary work at my local falconry centre. The owl that I'm holding in the picture at the top of the page isn't mine. He's a friends who I've got to know.

I've always had a love of birds of prey, owls in particular, and would one day like to own my own. To this ends I have started at the centre with a view to learning as much as I can about this fascinating species. The highlight of the day, after drooling over all the different species of owl, was to fly a Harris Hawk, not an owl, but still an equally impressive bird. I got initiated into the realms of falconers apprentice by being 'nailed' by said hawk. Basically it stuck its talon into me! Not as painful as it sounds, although I've a lovely mark or two on my hand. It was all my fault as I wasn't holding on to the bird tightly enough, it didn't feel secure and let me know. I won't be making that mistake again I can tell you. There is so much to learn and am being supervised all the time by a VERY experienced falconer. I can't wait to go again soon...

So now do you see why I picked 'The Crafting Owl' to be known as? My interests in crafts and owls combined! Simples!!!!

I've obviously not mastered the art of posting pics and comments yet! The pink card with the girl on is a card that is part of a set that I'm doing, using the same stamp from Crafty Individuals. The idea is that I'll choose one to go as a birthday card for my other sister-in-law.

What was I saying about posting pics? It's easier than I thought. Hope you like the card. The pleated paper was abit of a pain to do and required lots of patience to get it right. Lisa