The Crafting Owl

Cheating abit...

2012-01-29T10:06:00.002Z

Hi All

Well I was hoping to show you an owl pic and my February Journal pages, but seeing as neither of them are finished yet you'll have to make do with a couple of tags that I did around Christmas but didn't get chance to show you. The idea behind the tags is to show off the Gorjuss stamps so that I know what I've got in my collection - although it seems to be ever growing and I've not managed to get all of them done yet.

Here's the first. The little feathers that she is holding are actually hens feathers, namely our Rosie's. She was moulting before Christmas so I collected some of them for my crafting...

Here's the second using that yummy Sparkle Paste by Imagination Crafts for the snowflakes. I'm looking forward to going to the NEC in March and getting some more colours.

No, this isn't a tag. It's something that I found in the kids furniture section of my local B&M on friday. I paid £14.99 for it and its brill. As you can see from the pic I've not quite 'moved in' to it yet but I intend on putting stamps in the top trays and then inks etc in the others. For now its sitting at the end of my desk where I can reach everything. I am well chuffed with this as all my bits and pieces are tucked away and I seem to forget what I've got. I might even end up getting another at some point.

Well, that's it for me. Hope you have a crafting weekend. I'm off to do my journal pages and to work on some more projects for the WOW! Embossing Powder blog.

See ya

Lisa xxx

Pretty in Pink

2012-01-25T08:30:00.000Z

Hello Fellow Crafty Peeps!

Just thought I'd drop by and show you a series of projects that I created for the WOW! Challenge here. Unfortunately they didn't all get shown so I thought I'd share them with you here instead.

I set out to make a card and had a firm idea of how I wanted to create the background. i soon realised that I'd mixed too much paint so rather than waste it I created three projects with it.

Here's the card...

Then I did the background for a journal page... I'll share a tip with you here, see the font that I've used? Well I downloaded for free from http://www.dafont.com/ then coloured it in and cut it out. Sometimes I do free handwriting but now and then it's nice to cheat.

Then there was just enough to do a canvas -which was shown on the WOW! blog...

I'm not normally a pink user but had fun with this trio.
I'll be back at the weekend with more to show you - I've got projects backing up at the mo waiting to be shown.

Enjoy the rest of your week...
Lisa xxx

Purplicious!!

2012-01-21T20:28:00.002Z

Hi All

What a lovely day I've had in the craftroom today. It was so windy and I've had such a stressful week that abit of craft therapy was definetly called for. The students at work are doing art journaling as a project and have been looking at different ways of making books with their work, so I decided to have a go too. To be honest this idea has been buzzing around my head for ages and it's a relief it's finally out.

Here's what the front cover looks like... The beads at the side are holding the pages in and are a new way for me of binding a book together.

Here you can see some of the depth and texture that I created - but that's a post for the future as to the technique I've used. Needless to say there are some WOW! Powders on it. The box of them just calls to as I'm working and they are too irresistible even with the lid on the box covering them up!

This is the bead detail across the top. The faceted beads were bought as a 50p bracelet from Primark - bargain!! I've used wire to string them together with some teardrop and seed beads. Can you spot the owl too?? Well, let me off, I've not used one on a project for ages...

Here's a pic of the pages. Believe it or not the paper is from brown paper bags that I've cut to size and stuck back to back to create a page.

I really can't tell you how chuffed I am with this little book and I thoroughly enjoyed making it.

Why don't you have a go? There's still time too to enter the WOW! Embossing Powder Valentines Challenge, if you don't the DT will be FORCED to use the powders instead!!
Happy Crafting.

Lisa xx

Calendar Journal 2012

2012-01-18T20:46:00.004Z

Hi All

I've decided to join in Kate Crane's Calendar Journal Challenge this year as I only found this fab way of journaling my year in May of last year.
Here are my January pages.

Last years was in an A4 sketchbook and there never felt like there was enough room for the background and the 'days'. This year I've gone for an A3 sketchbook which is suiting me much better. I decided to go for blue's and greys and a wintery feel for January. I love snow and frost so this also provided some inspiration.

I bought this Gorjuss girl stamp before Christmas and couldn't resist using her on this page. The trees are made from triangles of green card with ripped strips of Christmas background paper added for interest and texture.

Here is the opposite page. For the snowman I drybrushed some white acrylic over an old book page and then ripped the circles added facial details with pen/crayon.

I couldn't resist adding this poem when I found it. I've just written it freehand on the page. The blue of the sky is a Tim Holtz Distress ink which I've brushed over using my fav brushes - inkdusters.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my pages. I've got ideas for February and will post them as they get started.

Not tried journaling before? Go on, have a go, it's a great way to record what you've been up to.

Happy Journaling
L!sa xxx

WOW! Our very first Challenge!!

2012-01-15T20:13:00.003Z

Hi All

Well, it's time for our very first challenge over at WOW! Embossing Powders. The theme this month is LOVE. We're all really excited to be bringing you lots of lovely inspiration and here's my design...

I decided to go simple and elegant, quite a difference from my normal style...

Close-up of one of the embellishments...

I love working with UTEE, WOW! do a version called Ultra High. I used a silicone petit fours mould for hearts bought from a cheap shop.

Well, I hope you join in with the challenge and I look forward to popping over to your blog and seeing your fab designs. The lucky winner will get 6 pots of powder of their choice with a carry case.

Happy Embossing
Lisa xx

We're LIVE!!!

2012-01-12T17:57:00.004Z

Hi All

Just thought I'd let you know that the WOW! Embossing Powder blog is now live and interactive. Please pop along to the blog to say hello, let us know what you think and to meet the wonderful Design Team - myself included!!

We're all really excited and can't wait for our first challenge to you.

Happy Embossing!!

Lisa

Doodling again...

2012-01-08T13:37:00.003Z

Hi All

Just thought I'd share this fella with you. He 'appeared' on my page over the Christmas hols and this is the first chance that I've had to show him to you. It was really spooky as I was working on him as as soon as I'd drawn and coloured in the eyes he seemed to be 'watching' me as I continued. I've made some photocopies of him and want to add some colour and texture to him.

See what I mean about those eyes?

I want to do some more like this as I really like the technique. Why don't you have ago. If enough people ask I'll see about doing a tutorial.

Happy Doodling!

Lisa x

WOW Embossing Powders

2012-01-07T19:59:00.003Z

Hi All

I just thought I'd share some exciting news with you. Back in November I applied to be on the design team/ as a demonstrator for WOW Embossing Powders. Well, I can now tell you that my application was successful - yay!!!!

A lovely box of goodies was delivered yesterday and my first project is due in on Monday. When I opened the box and saw all those wonderful colours I was just beside my self and so excited. I'll be posting here any projects that I do and can't wait to get working with there fantastic products.

Please pop over to the WOW! website for ordering details and I'll be posting details here about the blog when its fully operational.

Happy Crafting from a very happy little owlie xxx

Tag Number 1 and look no owls again!!

2011-12-29T16:48:00.003Z

Hiya

Well, I don't know what it's been like in your part of the world but in mine it's been pretty windy I can tell you. Seeing as the weather was so bad today it seemed like a good opportunity to hit the craftroom and finish the tags that I'd started last week. Now when I say tags I really mean jumbo tags as mine were cut out with my Cricut and are 8" long. I did them this big as I wanted to have space to play on...

Here's the finished tag...

The lettering was downloaded from dafont.com and just printed onto copy paper.

I love UTEE and have used it to create a snowflake embellishment.

Here you can see the dimension in the tag.

The slight sheen is from stamping with clear ink and then brushing over with mica powders.
A wooden snowflake as been given some sparkly embossing powder to bling it up abit...

I finished another couple of tags too but I'll leave them for another day...

Hope you like my offering and I'll be back soon.

Lisa

PS Did you notice that there aren't any owls again - getting good aren't I!!!

Just journalling... without owls!!.

2011-12-27T19:38:00.003Z

Hi All and a very Merry Christmas to you!!

I hope you all had lots of crafting goodies and are having a well earned rest.

I heard a song by Eliza Doolittle last week and decided to do a journal page as some of the lyrics feel very poignant at the mo. I started by drawing the layout and then I used my watercolour pencils to add colour. Anyway here's the page...

And a close up of some of the lyrics...

This Gorjuss girl seemed to fit perfectly with the mood of the page...

Hope you like it and I'll be back soon with another post. And did you notice? NO OWLS!!! See I can do it!!

Lisa xxx

They just keep on coming...

2011-12-22T20:54:00.002Z

Hiya

Yep, I'm afraid there's more - owls that is!! I'd seen a similar thing in the shops back in October but haven't had chance to make my version of them. Let me know what you think...

I sprayed a piece of felt with Crafters Companion Spray and Sparkle. Make sure you do this in a well ventilated area and not like I did, in my craftroom without any windows open, and I'm asthmatic - how stooopid!!!

I sewed little sequins for his tum feathers. The three little stitches help to give a 'feathered' effect.

I'm really chuffed with him and plan to make some more but in different colours over the Christmas break.

I promise to be back with something other than owls but at the mo I need to get them out of my system - as if!!!

TTFN

Lisa xxx

What did I say?

2011-12-18T16:22:00.007Z

So go on, remind me, what did I say in my last pots about owls? I'm beginning to think that they've taken over my brain as even when I'm crafting and trying NOT to use them they appear.

Anyway you'll see the reason for the rant. Last night I decided that it would be a good idea (at last!) to make some Christmas cards. And look what I came up with...

OWLS!! See what I mean?

Whilst I was 'in the zone' I made these too. I think the inspiration came from the fact that at this time of year our house is covered in them - toy ones of course!!

But then yesterday as I was putting up the tree, look what flew in...

...more owls. They do look really cute though on the tree. Two posts in two days - can't be bad and there are a few more things to show you as well, but they'll have to keep until next time.

Happy Craftin'

Lisa

Last Guest Designer post...

2011-12-17T14:39:00.003Z

Hi All

Sorry I've not posted to much just lately but there's been alot happening here. At the mo I'm suffering with an abscess on my tooth - which is driving me nuts!!

Anyway, besides that it's time for another challenge over at Polkadoodles and my last spot as Guest Designer. I'd just like to thank Nikki for giving me the chance to join the team and to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

So here goes...

I'll be back soon with another post, until then Happy Crafting and stay safe in the snow,

Lisa xxx

Please...no more Owls!!!

2011-12-06T21:34:00.003Z

... well, there's always room for one more isn't there? Or maybe two? I just thought I'd share these more Christmassy versions of my little boxes...

Come on, admit it, they're cute. I made a Santa hat for them but they just didn't look right. I think they're just great as they are...

Just a quickie from me today but I'll be back at the weekend with Christmassy experiments and maybe a journal page or two...

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Lisa xx

Polkadoodles Challenge

2011-12-02T18:09:00.003Z

Hello there and Happy December to you!!

Sorry I was abit quiet last week but I was busy doing a few bits and bobs around the house.

Well its Guest Designer time for me agin over at Polkadoodles. This week the theme is 'Secret Element Christmas Card'. Ooops, looks like I didn't see the Christmas bit!! Sorry folks! This little lass would be really easy to make Christmassy by changing the papers and adding lots of glitter..

Here are the crafty bits inside which a child could use to make their own cards...

My next idea was to make a gift bag which could also be filled with crafting bits, again not Christmassy!!

Inside...

Well I hope that you like my contributions for the challenge. See you again soon with some more makes, Christmassy this time though!!

Lisa x

Guest Designer Spot at Polkadoodles

2011-11-17T17:36:00.005Z

Hi All

Just thought I'd share with you my sample for the Week 46 - Christmas Shaped Cards Challenge over at Polkadoodles. This is my first time as a Guest Designer and I'm really pleased to be joining the team and I do hope that you join in with the challenge. I love owls (you'd never have guessed!) so was delighted to be able to use them in a Christmassy way.

I made the letters by looking for a suitable font from the internet and then used papers from the Double Sprinkles of Kraft CD-Rom (available from the Polkadoodles website)to decorate them.

The house and owls are also from the CD. They were printed out and then coloured in with watercolours. The beautiful die is a Memory Box one and is a real favourite of mine at the moment.

I used a large snowflake punch by Martha Stewart to make embellishments and outlined the letters with Distress Stickles 'Crystal'. The little star is made from friendly plastic. I'll post a tutorial on friendly plastic soon as I love using it to make embellishments.

Anyway, that's all from me. I do hope that you enjoy the challenge and I look forward to seeing some of your entries...

Happy Crafting

Lisa xxx

Loo Roll Mini Album Swop

2011-11-12T19:38:00.006Z

Hiya

Well, I can now show you the Loo Roll Mini Album that I made for the swop over at the Do-crafts forum. I've not made one of these before (this was made before the Halloween one but I didn't want to post about it until my partner had received it) and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. It turned out to be abit more bulky than I thought as I put pressies in the wallet bits but I still like it and I think my partner does too...

The front cover...

This opens up so that my partner can put photos in if she wants to...

Inside the envelope there was a card...

The tags that went in the pockets...

Each had a little bag with a few crafty goodies in...

It was abit bulky though - oops!!
I'm busy at the moment doing my card for the challenge over at Polkadoodles next week so make sure you check back here on Friday to see what I came up with. I have to say that I'm abit nervous about it but we'll see what happens...

Hope you have a good weekend,

Lisa xxx

2011-11-09T21:28:00.002Z

Hiya

Just thought I'd share my November Calendar Journal Pages with you. I had fun doing these. A great excuse to slosh the paint on and get out the glitter! Oh and Cricut helped out too with the squares and stars...

Here is a close-up of the heading...

And a close-up of the background...

Here's the little 'Gorjuss' girl, coloured in with Inktense pencils and black stickles added to her hat.

Well, that's it for now. I'll be back at the weekend with some more things to share, not sure what at the mo!!

Happy Craftin'

Lisa xxx

I can do pretty...

2011-11-06T15:46:00.002Z

Hiya

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend. Hasn't the weather been beautiful?

I always seem to do 'arty' things at the mo and I want to show you that I can do 'pretty' and just make a card so here's what I've been up to this afternoon.

I love snowman and snowflakes so decided that this would be my theme. When I went to the NEC on Thursday I saw Sparkle Paste by Imagination crafts and knew that I had to have them (I got the white, black and gold). So for me, this card is a slight combo of the two, arty and pretty.

Here you can see that the snowman is raised from the card and abit of the Sparkle Paste. The die is by Memory box who are rapidly turning into a fav company for dies.

I made some snowflake embellishments by using my Martha Stewart punch, WOW! clear UTEE mixed with mica powders, then added silver WOW! embossing powder on the top. (I got a great bargain for the Wow! Powders at the NEC a box of 12 for £5 - brill!!)

I'm really pleased with the outcome and can't wait to play with the rest of my Sparkle Pastes some more.

I've also completed my October Calendar journal pages and done the background for November and they'll appear on here mid-week. I'm chuffed with the November pages as I had great fun doing it.

Happy Crafting,

Lisa xxx

Poundland Bargains

2011-11-04T21:08:00.005Z

Just a quickie to let you know of some bargains that I found in Poundland tonight...

And I just couldn't resist these two...

...might have to have ago at colouring the silver one with some alcohol inks.

That's it for tonight, see you tommorow with my first Christmas card of the year!!

Lisa

Happy Halloween & Mini Book

2011-10-28T16:59:00.006+01:00

Hiya

Happy Halloween. Oh I love this time of year and halloween. I like the fun part of the day and not the silly, scary thing that some make of it. I wanted to make a mini album as I seem to be 'in the zone' for these at the mo and came across these papers that I bought last year. So I decided to put the two together...

First I flattened the rolls by running them through my cuttlebug...

Then edges were inked and they got decorated with the papers. Then out came the Bind-it-all and the holes were punched...

Then the fun began and me and my fav tool got to work - my Cricut! I really had fun cutting these shapes out from the Paper Dolls Dress Up cart...

Here's what it ended up like...

The front cover...

Inside, pages 1 and 2...

Pages 3 and 4...

Close up. The words were found on the internet - just type 'halloween+words' in a search engine...

The skull was made with UTEE in a halloween mould from Aldi...

Pages 5 and 6...

And now for the tags that will have photos on...Thesefit in the 'pocket' that is created when you flatten the roll...

Close up of a UTEE pumpkin with added glitter. Done in the same mould as the skull...

And then I thought I'd share this with you...

This is my fireplace. The glitter trees were bought for our wedding nearly four years ago and get dressed according to the season. Just a bit of fun but I love it!!

Anyway, I'm off to make ANOTHER mini album and will be back with something 'spooktacular' soooooooon....

Lisa xx

Mini Album Madness

2011-10-22T13:34:00.007+01:00

Hello - two posts in one day??

I just had to share this mini album that was shared on the UKScrappers forum. You can find the Youtube video on how to make it here.

I did mine by making my own background paper with some cartridge paper that I'd got. Istamped the robins first and then the snowflakes using different shades of blue. Then I turned the paper over and covered it using some cut and dry foam and stormy sky distress ink. Then I stamped snowflakes over it as before. Silly me has forgotten to take a photo of this bit!! I really enjoyed making the paper and will definetly do it again...

As you will see from the video you end up with little pockets and I cut some tags and snowflakes out with my cricut to put inside...

Here's what in side the mini album looks like...

Here you can see the paper in abit more detail...

These are the stamps and dies used...

And now for the front of the book...

Showing the detail and dimension...

And when it's closed it looks like this...

I really had fun making this and will definetly do more as it is so easy to make. I've got the mini album bug at the mo as I'm joining in with a swop over at do-crafts and I've got another to make for that which I really need to get working on.

I want to, over the next week or so get round to all of my followers and say hi as I've not done it for abit and I don't want you to think I'm neglecting so I'll be popping over soon.

So that's it for now, let me know what you think. I love reading your comments and do make sure to watch the video have a go yourself!!

Til next time,

Happy Craftin'

Lisa xxx

And now here is the news...

2011-10-22T13:20:00.003+01:00

Hiya!!

Can you see me jumping up and down? Can you hear me shouting YIPPEEEEEEEE??? No? better read on then...

... a week or so ago I applied to become a Design Team Member for Polkadoodles. Unfortunately I didn't make the team but I have asked to be a Guest Designer and I'm so excited!! Now I know what you're thinking, calm down Lisa it's only a GD but it is at last something positive in contrast to all the negatives I've had so far. I was on the point of giving up,that I'd never get on a DT, I had wondered if my work isn't good enough, but Nikky has put some faith back into me. I love the images that Polkadoodles have and I am really looking forward to working with the rest of the team to create some wonderful things that will hopefully inspire you.

That's it for this post but look what's coming next....

Lisa xxx

October Journal Update...

2011-10-19T17:52:00.005+01:00

Hiya
Just thought I'd share my journal page with you so far...

I love this cat, cut with my beloved Cricut...

And guess what cut out the leaves and bat?? You got it!

The witch is a Tiddlyinks digi...

And the pumpkins were cut out with??

And the fence??

The cartridge that all these wonderful things came is called Paper Doll Dress Up and is one of my favs as there is so much on it.

Just a quickie again, back with some mini books soon!!

Lisa xx

Forever Friends Challenge

2011-10-15T17:34:00.005+01:00

Hi All

Please find my entry for the Forever Friends Challenge - 'Use a Sentiment'.

Here's a clearer pic without the sparkle - much better!!

A bit closer...

Flowers made with a punch from patterned paper and a bit of bling added to the centre...

Look at the dimension...

Abit more frill...

Sometimes I see an idea and just go with it and this is what happened a few days ago when I saw a folded paper circle. I think that this another idea with potential that I need to explore WHEN I finally catch up with myself. The outside paper circle is actually pleated and this photo doesn't show it up very well. Simple to do but I enjoyed doing it...

Anyway, just a short post this time.

Happy Crafting

Lisa xxx

Crafty Individuals Challenge - 'Winged Things'

2011-10-11T15:43:00.004+01:00

Hi All

Here is my entry for the Crafty Individuals Challenge - 'Winged Things'. When I saw this challenge I immediately thought of owls - well I would wouldn't I!! But then I also thought that it might be nice to do something different.

Lots of shops are already beginning to stock Christmas decorations and I noticed that there are glittery butterflies popping up here and there, so I decided to use this as my inspiration. I love the palette of light blue, white and silver so decided to work with these colours. I didn't want to make a card but wondered what do do if I went along with the butterfly theme in my house at Christmas. I usually make gifts for my guests so this cracker seemed to fit perfectly, and they are easy to make. (You might remember that I did a similar thing at Easter).

Here is a close up of one of the smaller butterflies, the antennae have been made using wire and beads.

And closer still!!

This photo shows the dimension on the larger butterfly...

...the green on the wings is the reflection of my camera!!

There are very few 'ingredients' for this project but again I like the simplicity.
I used; CI stamps - CI-138 & CI 296, some white card, blue ink, light blue gems, Distress Stickle 'Crystal', some teardrop beads, wire, wire edged ribbon, Marianne Creatables butterfly die - LR0115, Martha Stewart butterfky punch, light and dark blue papers, silver mirror card.

I hope you enjoy looking at my entry and that it inspires you to do something different for your table at Christmas.

Love

Lisa xxx

Tag and Shrink Plastic

2011-10-06T17:07:00.005+01:00

Hiya

How ya doin? Just thought I'd share a tag that I've made with you. I don't know how but I've not made one before so this is my first attempt.

First of all I got my wonderful Cricut to cut out a window tag in cream card. I then used distress inks to colour in the background and to stamp the leaves. I then cut out some leaves on card, with my Cricut and coloured them in. I stamped a Sugar Nellie Stamp (Little Goth Girl) and coloured her in with Inktense pencils. After cutting her out I placed her so that she was sitting on some of the leaves. I stamped a phrase abover her head with black Staz on and added fibres through the hole at the top of the tag.

The darker leaf embellishments that you can see are made with shrink plastic. To do this I made myself a shrink plastic ruler by drawing a narrow ruler with inch measurements at actual size on the plastic and then shrunk it down. This then helped me to work out what size my leaves would be. I cut leaves out on the multi-cut function on my cricut, coloured then in with promarkers, punched a hole and then used a heat gun to shrink them. I am really pleased with the results and have discovered yet something else that my wonderful Cricut can do!!

Here is another embellishment that I made...

That's it for now. I've got a couple of other projects that I'm on so I'll share them with you soon.

TTFN

Lisa

PS What do you think about my new look blog? I still don't like the Crafting Owl heading thingy but will work on it.

Purple Patch!!

2011-10-04T12:37:00.005+01:00

Hiya

Thought I'd just share this journal page with you. I've been working on it on and off for the past few days and am quite pleased with the results.

It started life as parking tickets (the ones that you put in your screen to show you've paid). I then gessoed over the top of it. I then used Distress Stain dusty concorde which I slightly watered down and then washed over the dry gesso. I used a clock stamp by Paperartsy and black Stazon for the clock and then used another Paperartsy swirl stamp to make a border. Acrylic paint with bubble wrap gives the bubble effect on the page, with the white paint also being used with an old credit card to make another border. Distress stickles were used for abit of sparkle around the edge and I think that's it for that pic!!

I found a quote by Thomas Hardy and then printed it and cut out the lettering. A Tiddlyinks image completes the page.

I really am enjoying my journaling at the mo but still can't decide which format suits me the best. (I've also got an A5 size on the go to!!)

That's it for now.

See you soon.

Lisaxxx

Journal Pages

2011-10-01T12:14:00.002+01:00

Hi All

Well, here we are, another month gone already so that means it must be time for a new journal page to appear! And here it is...

...I must admit that I've had this one planned in my head for a while and sort of knew what it would look like. This is my 6 month of doing my journal and I really do enjoy doing it. At the beginning of the year I always start keeping a diary with the best of intentions but it never lasts. At least this way I can combine art and my memories. In true Lisa-way the page will be added to as the month progresses and its this change that also keeps me going. I've fallen in love all over again with my Cricut so watch out for some die-cuts appearing this month! (Stupid me - the leaves and squares are already cut by Cricut - doh!!!)

Here's what October ended up like. One of my 'rules' is that after the last day of the month I don't allow myself to touch the previous months page (ie adding to it). There are a few areas crying out to be filled in but no, OCD will not allow this to happen.

Right, off for a lie-down as I still can't seem to beat this damm cold that is wrecking havoc in my little bod.

Happy Craftin'

Lisa xxx

Tickled Pink!

2011-09-29T20:34:00.005+01:00

Hiya

Just a quick post to share a journal page with you. I was perusing the net the other day and came across the fabulous Tiddlyinks digistamps which I have simply fell in love with. Obviously the girl is me before I had my hair cut (yeah right!) though that green coat of hers is very similar to a recent purchase of mine!! I've not used digis before. I've coloured her in with Inktense pencils which are rapidly replacing my watercolour pencils as my fav way of colouring. They are basically ink in a pencil that you can use wet or dry. The layers underneath don't move like watercolours, which I quite like.

The pink background is acrylic paint mixed with a pearlescent medium. The words were stamped and then cut out. The flower/seed thingy mebobs were hand drawn in white pen. The words are actually from a Will Young song which I really like and find very inspirational. The page was started a couple of weeks ago and I really like the simplicity of it.

I'll stop waffling and hop off now. Please leave me a comment if you will. I like to know what you all think!!

Happy Craftin'

Lisa xxx

What's in the box?

2011-09-28T18:01:00.004+01:00

Hiya Craftin Pals!!

Are you enjoying the sun? I wish I was!! Unfortunately I'm not very well, same old story, achy bones, snotty nose and a really sick feeling that just won't go!

Anyway, after spending most of the week on the sofa in front of the tv I've had a hour or two in my craftroom. I was blog hopping yesterday and found this tutorial. After a couple of goes, (I get cutting in the wrong place!) I came up with my version.

Front view...

Side...

Inside...

The gift which is a little gem tree that I made all by myself!! It was dead easy to do and I think I can feel more of these coming on at some point...

That's it for now, just a quick one to let you know what I'm up to. Soon be time to do the pages of my calendar journal too. Where do the months go???

Happy Crafting!!

Lisa xxx

Naughty Blogger!!

2011-09-19T18:36:00.005+01:00

Hi All

Ok, so where has the time gone then? Summer's over and its back to reality so of course crafting unfortunately has had to take second place - pooh! Anyway I thought I'd share a few pics with you of what I've been up to over the past week. All comments gratefully received!!

First, my September page, coming along nicely methinks and its not quite the car crash that I thought it was going to be...

Next is my altered wooden house it started life as a blank wooden house and then I've Lisa'd it to make it look like this. I don't know if you go to Primark but in the jewellery section they have some great bits and pieces that you can customise for projects like this. I picked the bird cage up in the sale for £1! and I've still got the chain and other bits and pieces to use in another project.

On Sunday, My hubby and I went to Rockingham raceway for an Eddie Stobart fest. We had a great time looking at all the trucks that were there and met tramper Mark Dixon, one of the 'celebrities' from the series 'Trucks and Trailers'.

Hope you've had a good start to the week,

Hapy Craftin'

Lisa xxx

Smashing!!

2011-09-04T11:22:00.003+01:00

Hiya

There has been alot of talk about Smash books by K&Co over on the Uk Scrappers forum and people wanting to know how others were using theres. So, here's a pic of mine. I wouldn't normally have done anything with these photos that I took so I printed off some small ones at home and then Smashed them.

Then I bought this stamp and wanted to use her straight away. The wording is indicative of my feelings at the time of buying her!!

My pink Smash pad came the other day and I've got no idea what I'll use that for, I think it'll just be a continuation of my green one.

Hope that's given you some idea of how I'm using my pad.

Happy Crafting

Lisa xxx

PS Both Smash pads were bought from Craft Obsessions who have a great service and have free P&P!!!

Beads, beads, beads...

2011-09-01T16:57:00.003+01:00

Hiya

Just thought I'd do a quick post to show you what I've been up to today. This morning I went to the wonderful Spellbound Beads in Lichfield. I bought loads of goodies and can't wait to finish my current project to start playing.

I also finished a new necklace that I made using the spiral rope pattern. The pattern is really easy and one of my favs as its so effective. Unfortunately the photo doesn't do the colours justice.

Hope you're having a sunny day's crafting where you are.

L!sa xxx

2011-08-31T19:49:00.003+01:00

Hiya

I've been abit quiet this week as I've been working on a couple of projects, none of which are quite ready to show you just yet but you can have a look at my two journal pages...

This is the first one of my as and when I feel like it book. It was inspired by some new stamps that I had bought last week (the birds and houses, ref 10001188) and also by a song by Eliza Doolittle - 'pack up'. In my life I've taken too much notice of what people have said about me, what I wear etc so I've decided that enough is enough! So this is my art in answer to it. I used blue as a colour of calm and quite like the space on the page...

The next page is from my monthly journal and is an accident waiting to happen! No inspiration, nothing and this is the result!! Hmmm, still not sure about it. Like the Hunkydory cat stamps though on the squares (cut out on cricut and with fancy edges this month!!!)

Happy Crafting
Lisa x

How to spend a rainy Friday afternoon...

2011-08-26T18:18:00.007+01:00

...by finishing the hen book off!!

This is in memory of Daisy (white hen) who died last year. We miss her personality but she gave us such pleasure and fun in her short time with us!!

This is the first time that I have done everything myself for a scrapbook, made the embellishments etc and I have thoroughly enjoyed it! Bit sad now that its finished. Its been raining outside and I have had a lovely relaxing afternoon playing and creating something wonderful. The only trouble is that the cats are jealous now and want one of them too!

Have a great crafting weekend - whatever the weather,

Lisa

Totally Owly!

2011-08-26T08:48:00.003+01:00

Hiya

Just thought I'd share this with you! It took 10 minutes and cost £3.08 to make and I love it as it's completely original and my style entirely, and cos its got an owl on!!

I bought the chain and the owls eyes from Spellbound Beads, the owl and the leaves were from my local craft shop. I love going to Spellbound as the people who work in there are so friendly and really helpful. Although a small shop, there is loads to choose from and some amazing kits to buy. I love visiting there and might have to go back as I've forgotten some accent beads that I wanted to make a trim for my curtain tie-backs.

What else have I been working on this week? Well there hasn't been much else happening as I've been busy in the garden. I have done a bit in my Smash book (I've ordered a pink one now as I reckon this green one will be full soon). I'm keeping up with my art jornal and have sort of got some ideas for my September pages. And I've started on a little wooden house that is definetly going to be a project that just evolves...

oh, and no, I've not done any more to my hen book!!

Happy Crafting

L!sa xxx

First two pages...

2011-08-18T15:01:00.008+01:00

I know I said that I was going to finish off my hen book this week but I've had a lapse and instead have started another journally-type book thing again.

I bought a really nice green 'pink pig' book a few weeks ago with the intention of doing an A-Z of me in it. (The book is quite big as I didn't want to restrict myself and I also thought it would it help in the 'loosening up' process.) Well I haven't, I'm using it as a going with the flow book. The idea is that my new green Smash book (which I love from K&Co) will inspire what goes into my new book - or maybe not, as the case maybe!! I know I'm waffling!! On with the piccys so that you can see what I mean!!

I was really inspired by a post on Dyan Reaveley's blog so I decided to follow her video here and Lisa-it. Here's my version...

Over all I'm really chuffed wth the pages. I still think I need to loosen up a bit more as an artist, stop being so particular about where I'm putting elements and how precise they are too. I thoroughly enjoyed the process though and would love to make the trip to one of her classes as its a bit of a trek from here. (I've started working on my hubby already!!)

The mask that I used was cut out of thick acetate and is one from the Paper lace Cricut cartridge - thats right you can make your own masks. Just remember to use the multicut function key.

That's all for now! See you at the weekend with that hen album finished (yeah right!!) and some more pages done!

L!sa xxx

Finishing off...

2011-08-14T09:02:00.002+01:00

Hiya!

I tidied my craftroom yesterday and 'found' an album that I'd started about our hens ages ago and not finished. I don't like having too many projects on the go so have decided to finish it off and here are the first two pages...

This is the front cover. The basic shape is a chipboard album that I think is by Papermania, one of their basics range. I then made my own backing papers with my fav chook stamps by artemio
and have also made some of my own embellishments.

This is the first page showing the eggs from my lovely ladies...

That's all I've done so far, I'm aiming to finish it by the end of the week so watch this space for more pages soon.

Bye for now

L!sa xxx

2011-08-09T11:49:00.002+01:00

Hiya

Just thought I'd share this that I made for a friend to say thank you.

The outside...

Open it up...

I don't think you can see it too well but on the middle square there is a small box which, when you open it contains this...

A necklace that I made for her...

Here is a closer view of the detail...

This is a panel in the lower part of the box...

I thoroughly enjoyed making this as I hadn't done any beading for ages.

See ya next time

Lisa xxx

Well, here he is...

2011-08-05T17:38:00.003+01:00

...TOKS!!

I've finally finished him and decided to present him on a card, although he doesn't look very happy about it does he??? Now he's finished (for now, there are other plans for him too...) I'm going to work on my character who is abit lacking in the body department at the mo! More later...

Unfortunately I didn't make the Creative Expressions Design Team which I have to admit I am very dissapointed about but it just means that I'll have to try harder for the next one, I'm not giving up on my dream...

I also found these in my local B&M and thought they were really cute and at 4 for £2 I thought they were a bargain. They'll look lovely on my craft shelf with buttons etc in.

Hope you have a lovely sunny weekend where you are!

Lisa xxx

Will it work????

2011-08-01T17:34:00.005+01:00

Hiya

Hope you had a good weekend! I thought I'd share the beginnings of my August pages with you in my journal.

Here they are looking abit rough!!

The colours are actually brighter than this photo shows. The idea came from the sunsets that I see through my craftroom window. Even now I'm not sure about them but... I'll hang in there and see what happens! The spotty bits were inked through sequin waste and I've no idea why they are there except that it seemed a good idea at the time.

The next job was to add the coloured squares for the 'days'. I tried to use sunset colours again and they happily cover up most of the background which I'm STILL not sure about!!!

Then the decoration starts to appear!!!

Now I've got to the point where I'm determined it WILL work!! I used my standard set of letters to stamp the month with and then looked at da font to give me some ideas on how to decorate them. The sunflower girl is there to represent the sunflowers that grow in my garden in this month. I'd like to do a page about sunflowers in my other journal - we'll see what happens.

Now all I've got to do is add the usual doodling throughout the month in my black pen.

Happy Crafting,

Lisa xxx

'Home'

2011-07-31T15:02:00.004+01:00

Hi All

Just thought I'd share a little project that has kept me good for an hour this weekend. I bought this from Dunelm for £2.99 (bargain!!). I wanted it to go in the kitchen but decided that white was abit too plain...

... as its made of wood the first job was to give it a light sand and then paint it with acrylic paints...

... then I added decoration to fit in with the theme of my kitchen. You might think that the colours are abit odd, especially for a kitchen but I recently made some 'chook' patterned curtains in the same colours, so this was the inspiration...

... then it was placed in its new 'home'...

I'm really pleased with it and it looks great on the shelf with my other chook bits...

Just shows what you can do with a bargain and abit of imagination!!!

Happy crafting

Lisa xxx

Crafters Companion Challenge - One for the Boys!

2011-07-26T18:04:00.003+01:00

Hi All

Just thought I'd show you my entry for the Crafters Companion Challenge this month - One for the Boys...

I love using Popcorn the Bear in my crafting as he is so cute. I think that this card is destined for a friend of mine who is a big fishing fan, as well as a softie!!

Happy Crafting

Lisa xxx

Star Card

2011-07-23T21:37:00.003+01:00

Hiya

Hope you've had a good week. I have, but no crafting as I've been busy around the house, that was until tonight when I've finally managed to make a wedding card for my husbands niece who is getting married next week. I'd seen this star card a while back and decided that this was perfect. I really like cards with different folds and this was really easy to do. You can find out how to make it here. I don't think my version looks very weddingy but I hope the bride and groom will like it. (The photo doesn't do the colours justice, will try and take a better one tomorrow).

I stamped the decorative papers myself using the Forever Friends Black and Gold Clear Stamp sets and also a rollagraph by Imagination Crafts. I don't know if you've tried rollagraphs but they are brill. I like to use them with clear ink and then brush mica powders over the top. They are great for making borders or background papers. I'd like to get a couple more when I go to the NEC in November (I've started my shopping list already!!)

Here is the inside...

Toks still won't come out and say hi yet. He reckons he isn't dressed (not coloured in...!). I've not had much chance this week to work on him so hopefully tomorrow he'll get the finishing touches and then you can meet him.

I'd better go as the girls (hens) have just gone to bed and need closing for the night.

Happy Crafting xxx

Art Journal - front cover!!

2011-07-20T14:47:00.004+01:00

Hi All!

Just thought I'd show you what I've been up to this week!

Here you can see the front cover of my art journal. It was done by sticking pieces of masking tape to the cover and then rubbing acrylic paint over the top of it. I also used some Silkies paint by Imagination Crafts. After that was dry I splated distress stains over the top and then printed some black solid circles on followed by some white and black outlines, again with acrylic paint. Then I flicked drippy black acrylic paint to finish it.

There's more to go on top yet, such as a pic of me etc but I'm letting it evolve as I get inspired by something.

Here is another look at how the July pages are coming along. As you can see I've added swirls in the bottom corners. I had great fun doing these and they were responsible for a late night or two!!

And here is a sneak peek of someone who should be appearing very soon. He's abit shy at the mo and not sure what his audience will think of him, so he's staying on my page abit longer... His name is Toks, can you tell what he is? I'll give you ten guesses!!! As if you need them!! I've had great fun creating this little fella and his friends, oops let that one slip didn't I! Keep popping back to see if he'll come and play...

Anyway, better go... The garden is calling, as well as someone whoooooo wants colouring in!!!

Happy Crafting

Lisa x

Creative Expressions Calling Card Challenge

2011-07-11T18:04:00.003+01:00

Here is my entry for the Creative Expressions Design Team Call, I'll keep my fingers crossed!

The idea behind this little box was to have somewhere to keep my calling cards in which are also ATC's. Being the Crafting Owl I felt that it was appropriate to have an owl theme.

You will need;

Pulp book

Andy Skinner stamp set - Back to Nature

Crafty Individuals - Cl-225

Small photo frame - available in poundshops

Distress Stain - peeled paint

Distress Inks - brushed corduroy

Alcohol Inks - caramel, lettuce

Alcohol inks blending tool.

Gilding flakes - gold, variegated

Small chipboard key

sequin waste

Feather

Paper Mania Brad making kit

decorative brad

Staz on - black

Clear Embossing pad

Clear embossing powder

Gold embossing powder

Staz on all purpose cleaner (in spray bottle)

Dreamweaver stencil - trees

Glossy card

Glossy Accents

First of all take a small papier mache book box and stamp the flowers (Andy Skinner - 'Back to Nature set) in clear embossing ink and then emboss over the top with clear embossing powder.

Next tear some white tissue paper and covere the back of the book and also the top left and bottom right corners of the book, using PVA slightly watered down to stick it with. Once dry cover the whole of the book with Peeled Paint Distress Stain. Allow to dry then clean ink frm stamped flowers. Lightly brush a clear embossing ink pad over the back of the book and the tissue covered corners. Add blue embossing powder and heat.

Stick thin double sided tape to the raised parts on the side of the book and use gold gilding flakes to cover. Use a soft toothbrush to remove the excess.

Take a small photo frame (the kind you find in pund stores and spray using spray adhesive. Quickly put into a pot of gilding flakes and rub the excess away with a toothbrush.

Using the Crafty Individuals owl stamp onto a piece of card that has been covered with Distress Ink - brushed corduroy. Cut to fit the small frame and adhere to the front of the book with Glossy Accents.

Inside the book.

Take a piece of the glossy card and cut to ATC size (9x6.2cm). Add alcohol inks to the blending tool and cover the glossy card. Allow to dry. When dry lie the tree stencil over the top of the card and spray the Staz on Cleaner through. Leave a few seconds then remove and heat with a heat tool. The 'trees' should appear on the card as white shapes. Stamp the owl stamp over the trees with the black staz on.

Emboss a chipboard key with the gold powder and attach a small piece of thread. Pierce a hole through the recess of the book and attach brad. Hang key over brad by loop.

Inside make a small brad using the kit and following the instructions from head of the owl stamp.

Using the sequin waste and the brushed corduroy ink make a pattern on the inside of the box. Attach the brad and feather with Glossy Accents.

Your finished project is ready to use and store your little pieces of art!

Lisa

Another week gone then...

2011-07-09T19:18:00.002+01:00

Where is the time going? It seems that I've only just decorated my July pages in my journal and now I've already completed a week in it! You can see that I've added abit more to it and still have more room for doodling. Why didn't I start this at the beginning of the year as I'm really enjoying doing. Think I might have a go at an art journal next if I can find a nice one.

These stamps kind of inspired the July pages and I want to include them more in the design as the month goes on...

Not much crafting done this week apart from my art journal calendar thingy. I did have a go at making a card for a colleague of mine but I'm not sure if she'll end up with it or not as I'm not impressed with the result! I think the flowers need fiddling with and then some more bits and pieces added to the front. We'll see what a couple of hours tomorrow on it do. I actually found the project in a back issue of Craft Stamper and definetly think its got potential.

This is the front...

Inside...

The depth...

Mind you I did FINALLY use my Tim Holtz papers that have been sitting on the shelf for the past 12 months!!

I'll let you know what happens on the crafting table tomoz!

TTFN

L!sa x

A new month, a new page...

2011-07-04T21:29:00.005+01:00

Hiya!

Hope you had a good weekend in the sunshine. I didn't spend too much time out there as the finals of Wimbledon were on so that was me with square eyes for a bit.

Turning to matters of a creative nature, all that beautiful sunshine really fetched the butterflies out this weekend, that combined with the lovely yellow of the sun, inspired me to create July's pages in my art journal. I made the background by mixing different shades of acrylic yellow paint, spritsing the paper with water and then dropping the colour on the top so that it 'blooms' out on the paper. You can't see it in the picture very well but I've stamped some lovely butterflies in the background. Of course there's lots more doodling to do on top which will progress as the month goes on.

Below you can see what June's pages ended up as...

Well, that's it for now, see you soon,

Lisa x

Part B

2011-06-25T19:32:00.002+01:00

Hello, again!

No you're not seeing double this is really my second post for today!

I wanted to share this with you as I'm having such a lovely time here in my craftroom. I really haven't well today so decided that abit of craft-therapy would cheer me up and help me to fight the lurgy which I seem to becoming down with yet again. So with Wimbledon on in the background I've had a play...

I bought a set of these frames from a pound shop ages thinking that I'd do something with them and never had, until this afternoon. They wouldn't be painted though, no chance, nothing would stick to it without wiping off.

In the end I've sprayed them with spray mount (a spray glue) and then covered them in gilding flakes. It took a while to get the gilding flakes off, I scrubbed away merrily with a toothbrush but all the loose bits eventually came off and I'm please to have lost none of the detail.

Hmm, this picture doesn't make it look much but if you try the technique then you'll see how effective it really is. But what am I going to do with it, well you'll have to wait and see!!

TTFN

Lisa x

averyhappycraftercoveredininkwiththelurgybutdiscoveringthatbeingcreativecanhelptobeattheblues!

Yes you can!

2011-06-25T16:11:00.003+01:00

Happy Crafter-noon! (as my fav presenter on C&C says)

I'm a member of the do-crafts forum and there's been a thread on there recently about the melt pot, and what you can use to colour clear UTEE.

Having bought a couple of the Tim Holtz distress stains today I wondered if you can use them to colour UTEE. Well, you can, because I've just done it! Melt some clear UTEE in the melt pot and then add a little of the stain (you have to take the top off the pot for this) then put a few drops in the UTEE and stir. Be warned it will spit abit and go really gunky but keep stirring and the colour will disperse into the UTEE and colour it. Like so...

The brown doesn't show up so well but it looks abit like fudge. I think some colours will work better than others depending on the effect that you want.

Oh and as well as colouring UTEE with stains, trying popping a spray on to the top of the bottle and using them for spary backgrounds. Alternatively pop a bit into a spray bottle and use it that way. I reckon that adding water to them might also work too, that's my next play. (edit, now done that see below)

I put some stain into small spritzer bottle and added water, I dare say that the more water the more watercolour like it will become.

I don't know what you use to stop UTEE from sticking to metal cookie cutters but I use this...

I just dip the cutter straight into the pot if its a small one or wipe round the inner and outer edges for a bigger cutter.

That's it for now, off to have a play with the stains abit more and see what else I can do apart from messing up my fingers!!

Lisa x

Art Journal

2011-06-23T21:18:00.004+01:00

Hiya

Just thought I'd post my journal pages as promised. Neither of them are finished just yet and I think that this project is something that I'll keep popping back to and doodling on!

It's this lady alcoholinky that started me off, even though she probably doesn't know it. I felt really inspired after visiting her blog and just had to have a go! And I'm having fun. It's the sort of thing that once the background is done you can just play about with and that suits me. I've already got plans for a messy 'July' background so watch this space!

Lisa

A very enjoyable day!

2011-06-20T10:31:00.002+01:00

Hello.

Hope you all had a good weekend! I know I did as I had the pleasure of spending time with the fabulous Lindsey Mason at a demo at my local craft centre. Lindsey showed us lots of different techniques including using the new Staz on cleaner which I thought was wonderful and very effective. You need to pop over to her blog at some point as she'll be posting it very soon. When I got home I had a play and this is my version.

Add a few drop of different coloured alcohol inks to your craft mat and then swoosh glossy card over the top. I know you've all done this before so I've not included pictures.

(this is a picture of the wonderful stuff its self, smells ok, cleans stamps well and great for new techniques too!)

Then I placed a stencil over the top and spritzed with the Staz on cleaner. Leave for a few seconds and then remove the stencil and dry gently with a heat tool. Below is the result.

I then stamped a tree over the top using the new Andy Skinner stamps (I bought the nature set at the demo as I fell in love with it straight away. The result is very different from my style but I LOVE it!

The mask, for your interest, was made from a really thick piece of acetate which was run through my Cricut (the image is from the Storybook cart). I had to put the Cricut on multicut a few times but you can see from the mask that it worked. I'll definetly be using this technique again as the PaperLace cart is crying out to have masks/stencils made from it.

This one was done in exactly the same way but without a great deal of the alcohol inks.

More ink this time but sprayed with the cleaner from a distance of about a foot away, this way you get more of a spattered effect.

My next tip to share is this...

This is my new way of storing unused bits of UTEE from my meltpot. When I want to clear out the dregs for a new project I just pour them into the mould and I end up with lots of lovely tiles that can also be used as embellishments or be re-melted

Happy Crafting

Lisa x

Bad Blogger - again!!

2011-06-17T20:33:00.004+01:00

Ok, so where does the time go? We're in June already and I really couldn't tell you what I did in May!! I have been pretty busy though with work and my volunteering at the falconry centre.

This little fella got brought into the centre as he was abandoned by his parents. I took him home and had the pleasure of his company for 3 days. He spent the first day with me quite happily, cheaping when he was hungry and then popping his head under his wing for a nap. He went to bed at around 8.30pm and was really good and didn't wake until 6.30am when his persistent cheaping or tapping on the glass of the old fish tank I'd got him in (without water obviously!). The third day of his minding was undertaken at work where he delighted both students and staff hopping around my desk and busily exploring the various bits and bobs that clutter it. The next morning however there wasn't any cheaping to greet me. Unfortunately 'Baby' as we called him had taken the eternal sleep and was no more. Both my husband and were really upset to say the least and it was even harder going into work to have to tell what had happened. RIP Little One xxx

On a happier note... I made this for a colleague that got married over half term. The book was made from envelopes and had labels inserted which everyone wrote onto. I decorated the 'pages' with weddingy bits and pieces and also poems that I found on the internet. The Bride was chuffed to bits with it, so it was a job well done!

I'm not much of a cook so was helpless with laughter when I was asked to make a birthday cake for one of the volunteers 18th birthday party. I did my best and here is the end result. A chocolate cake complete with polymer clay owls...

All the volunteers, myself and hubby included went to visit another falconry centre for the day and here are twooo of my highlights!

Firstly a baby Spectacled Owl, a real cutie that I was just dying to cuddle!

And next a baby Great Grey owl that just didn't shut up all the time that we were there! Even when he was asleep he squeaked!!

So, as you can see, I've been rather busy again. Oh and I've started an art journal but I'll leave pics of that until next time!!

Happy Crafting x

Introducing...

2011-05-22T20:48:00.004+01:00

Bisto the baby Tawny Owl.

Bisto is 8 weeks old and is quite an independent little character. She is very nosey and is quite capable of flying short distances. She likes to spend her time looking through the window bobbing her head. She's very fussy about her food and will only take the smallest of pieces, and I can't wait to start training her. She already walks for her food and likes cuddles. When she's had enough, she just flies off!!

She's so cute that I just had to take her photo and turn it into a card to sell at the centre.

Frosty is a Snowy Owl that I've started working with. I took this photo specifically to turn into a card.

I'll introduce you to another new addition in my next post!!!

Lisa x

Port Sunlight

2011-05-15T21:00:00.003+01:00

Hiya

I don't know if any of you out there got to Port Sunlight yesterday but I did and I had a fab time. I managed to pick up lots of goodies and saw some great demonstrations. I'd still like to be at the other side of the counter - doing the demonstrating at some point but until then it was nice to see lots of great products and get loads of ideas.

Here are some of the things that I bought....

I couldn't resist these cat stamps by inkadinkadoo. I thought that they'd be perfect to go with the hunkydory set that I bought a while ago (and still haven't had time to play with!)

I thought these two sets were a real bargain at £2.99 each. They'll be great for scrapbooking and in cards.

I couldn't resist the Crafty Individuals stand and got these 5 beautiful stamps, two of which are featured in the latest issue of Craft Stamper.

I bought these beautiful UTEE from the Artistic Stamper (made by crafty notions). I really look forward to watching Jenny's demos and always come away feeling inspired. At £4 a pot (the coloured ones) and an offer of buy 4 get 1 free I was quite happy. The Ranger ones are so expensive and as I love working with UTEE I thought that these were a bargain. The clear pot was £13.50 but again it is much bigger than the Ranger one and will be really useful. The last thing I got in the pic is a mould which I've already had a quick play with. It's going to be great to make my own embellishments with and I'm kinda looking forward to rainy days so that I can play. (Sunshine means flying Jez and gardening).

These are made using the mould in the pic above. The first and second (from the left) are made using the clear, although I think that I've overheated the UTEE in the second rose as it's not quite as clear. The last one had the pink swirled in and again I think that it was too hot as it isn't as clear.

I also bought some card and a set of 12 small pots of different coloured embossing powders which were a bargain at £5 for the set. I can't wait to have a proper play, never mind, the summer hols will be here soon.

It was also great to see a new friend that I made at Port Sunlight a year or so ago. Linda, if you're reading this, good luck with the op and I'll be in touch soon to arrange a date for our next meeting!

That's it for now.

Happy Crafting

Lisa x

'Just Jez'

2011-05-11T22:39:00.004+01:00

At last, something 'crafty', well, more arty really.

I'm quite chuffed with this one. I'd been meaning to do a drawing of Jez for ages and had ear marked this particular photo of him as a good one to do as it's one of my favourites. So on sunday morning I set aside a couple of hours and got to work. The background is made by staining the paper with coffee. Acrylic paint is used for the eyes and white feather with pen over the top to add detail. I like doing mixed media pieces because of the dimension and different effects that can be created.

I think I'm going to scan this into my pc and then shrink it to make some cards with. Maybe it calls for a quick glaze with Glossy accents to... I'll have a play...

I've got a picture of a Great Grey Owl to do next, gilding flakes and mica sprays are in line for this one so I'll let you know what happens.

Right, off to go and have a play. Port Sunlight soon!! can't wait

Take care,

Lisa x

Oops again...

2011-05-07T22:18:00.002+01:00

Hiya!

Ok, so is someone going to tell me where April went then? How is it May already?

Unfortunately I've not got anything craft-wise to show you as I've been really busy, mainly with my feathered friends. I knew that this would happen, that as soon as the nice weather arrived my poor old blog would be forgotten. The trouble is that I don't want to sit inside crafting when it's so nice outside.

So what have I been up to? Well, Jez (owl) is now flying free and I've now got some more babies to look after (pics to follow). Over Easter as the weather was so nice I finally managed to set my veggie plot and give my garden some much needed TLC. Then there's work, work, oh and a bit more work. Never mind it's my visit to Happy Stampers Northwest next week!! Should recover my crafting mojo there.

Off to bed now as I'm really tired now. Sorry it's such a short post but I'm shattered.

Hope you're all ok out there in blog-land

Lisa x

Not more owls!!

2011-04-09T20:28:00.007+01:00

Hiya! Hope you've all had a good week out there in blog-land and a big hello to people who have popped over from do-crafts - thanks for visiting guys n gals! Have you noticed what's appeared at the side of my blog? That's right, I made the top three at the Crafter's Companion Challenge. I was so pleased when I found out as I was really chuffed with the card that I made for it. You can find the card here. So, what have I been up to? This week has been yet another busy one. Jez (owl) has been my main focus this week and it's beginning to pay off. The other night he flew to my glove from a feet away and then flew from my glove to my husbands. Two HUGE leaps forward. I'm so proud of him! Will post pics tomorrow. Craft-wise its been an owly one too. I've been fiddling around with my Gypsy again and came up with this little fella. Sorry, I can't tell you which cart it is, I think it's 'Give a Hoot'. The two shapes were welded together and then random circles placed over the tummy part. I used the end of a pencil and distress inks to stamp the spots and then stamped the owls on the inside to peep through the front. I did some faux stitching around the edge to add abit more interest. I think it's one of those cards that now I've got the idea I can develop it, not sure how at the mo but I dare say some brain wave will come along. Oh and my ticket has arrived for the Happy Stampers Northwest which I'm pleased about. I was abit late sending my return slip back so wasn't sure if I'd be lucky enough to get one. Hope you're having a sunny, crafting weekend. Ta-ra for now Lisa x

Birthday pics & Bits

2011-04-01T20:56:00.005+01:00

Hiya folks!

Phew! What a busy week! And not craft-wise I hasten to add!

One of the things that has happened this week is that Jez has decided that he is going to give up being stubborn and has flown to my glove for the first time - yippee!!! It was quite funny really as he was hanging on to the fence for grim death and flapping his wings, he just wouldn't let go and then that was it... he flew to me and it was huge grin time! He did it three times before I popped him back in his aviary, and he did the same again last night too! I'm so excited I can't wait until he's fully trained and flying free.

I promised on my last post that I'd post some pics of my birthday pressies, well here they are. I can't wait to have a play with them. The trouble is that I also like gardening and when the weather is nice at the weekend I like to be outside either in the garden, or with Jez. I tend to craft when the weather isn't so good. Anyway here are the pics...

The Cat's Miaow Collection from Hunkydory. Can't wait to play with these, I can feel a mini scrapbook coming on...

Some other bits and bobs. I like using chalks as I think that they give a really delicate feel to stamped images.

Birthday pics over, now to more immediate matters, namely, EASTER!!! I've decided to make some of these little as my little easter gifts but I don't know what to put inside. Can you help? I want to include a small easter gift, there are a few that I'm making so I want to keep the cost down. I'll probably include some small eggs inside as well so there's not a huge amount of room. If you can think of anything pop them on a comment below. (The chick stamp is by Elzybells, sadly no longer available).

A view from the side. All the paper is hand stamped too, but I can't remember who the stamp is made by.

Well, that's it. I'd better go. I still havent made my Mothers Day cards yet so I guess that's my entertainment sorted out for the weekend then.

Happy Crafting

Lisa x

Just popping by...

2011-03-26T20:48:00.003Z

Hi All

Sorry, no crafty pics today as this is just a quick post.

I've got back on my feet this week to be knocked off them again, as in I'm still not feeling quite right. My knees are really sore and I have to take regular breaks to try and relieve them abit. Off to the docs on Monday!

Oh and it was my birthday on Wednesday!! It was a lovely day and I got spolit rotten with owl and craft themed presents alike and the sun was shining!! Will post pics soon.

As a consequence of this I've not done anything craft-wise this week as I just haven't felt like it. Hopefully abit of owl-therapy tomorrow should help!!

Have a great crafting weekend..

Lisa x

Crafters Companion Challenge

2011-03-17T21:18:00.003Z

Hello.

I've been abit quiet this week as I've been busy making a few things for Easter and also completing ANOTHER challenge. This time its for the Crafters Companions Challenge - Easter

I really like making things for Easter, especially cards and things for the home. I tend to dress our house up too. There's usually bunches of daffodils in the kitchen and you can't move for rabbits and chicks (not real ones).

Anyway, here's my entry for the challenge. I hadn't used my Popcorn the Bear CD-ROM for ages so it was nice to re-aquaint myself with it. All the backing papers are also printed out from the CD-ROM

This is the card from the front. The fence was designed and cut out on my Gypsy/Cricut.

You lift the fence bit up and it opens out like this...

Flip the paper with the chick on, down to reveal this...

And below is this...

A sticky note pad and pencil...

And the whole thing sits up like this...

Now do you get it??

Hope you like my entry and I'll see you next time. Til then...

Happy Crafting

L!sa x

Create & Craft & Cricut...

2011-03-15T10:58:00.003Z

You know when you just react and don't think. Well that's what happened to me yesterday afternoon. I was watching Create and Craft on my laptop in my craftroom and Nigel May was on talking about the Cricut. He invited people to phone into the studio and speak to him live on air. Well, before you know what had happened I'd rang in and was speaking to one of the researchers! I was put through to Nigel and had a lovely chat to him about the Cricut, telling him what it could do and how I'd made all my wedding stationary with it. The only problem was that I couldn't hear him properly so ended up talking over him - so my friend tells me who was also watching it at the time! Nigel was a real sweetheart and just let me witter on. I don't know how long I was on for but it certainly flew by!

I found the experience thoroughly enjoyable but now want to do more!! If anybody out there wants an experienced crafter to demonstrate, make up samples, or any other job in the crafting industry, please let me know!! Crafting is my passion in life (alongside my owls) and it's what I want to be doing!!

Rant over...

Happy Crafting

Lisa x

Forever Friends Monochrome Challenge

2011-03-13T14:42:00.003Z

Hi All

Just thought I'd share my entry for the Forever Friends Monochrome Challenge. I've decided to go yellow with this one as the sun is out today and its all bright and cheery and making me think of spring.

This photo was taken from a slightly higher angle so that you can see the dimension of the card.

Welcome Spring!

2011-03-12T11:10:00.004Z

Hello there!

Thought I'd just drop by and let you know how things are and show you what I've been up to.

Firstly, I am feeling alittle better. I still ache but can't do too much before I get tired and have to sit down again.

Next, what have I been up to? Well I've decided to enter the Penny Black at Allsorts Challenge this month with the theme 'Welcome Spring' and the Sir Stampalot Challenge, 'Spring is in the Air'.

It was the 'welcome' bit that gave me the idea for the doors or windows (it depends on how you look at them), when you open them, you welcome - in this case 'spring' which is represented by the flowers. To make the base I've used my Gypsy and welded two doors onto a rectangle and then cut them out. I cut 4 more doors then inked them and stuck them on both sides. You can't tell from the pic but there is actually acetate in the little squares for 'glass'.

Here is another pic with the doors closed... Oooh why does the camera flatten things and make the colours look washed out??

This pic show a close up of the flowers which I've decoupaged. I also added small ribbon ones to add more texture.

Another close up to show the depth...

The flowers were painted with mica paints (from Imagination Crafts)

Well, that's it. I hope you like my entry and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

L!sa x

Stamp Happy!

2011-03-10T18:28:00.003Z

Hiya!

I've not blogged for the past couple of days as I've been concentrating very much on trying to get myself better. It's worked to a certain extent but I still feel very weak and can't be on my feet for too long before I begin to feel tired! Moan over, on with the crafting...

To keep my mind focused on something other than my aches and pains I decided that I wanted to make a present for my best pal who is keeping me going whilst I'm ill. This is what I came up with...

The idea is that the book sits in the bag with a small present. I want to get her some bulbs as she loves gardening and I think that they also fit in with the theme. I used my Cricut to cut out the bag and designed the book on my Gypsy. I then decorated both with distress inks. The stamps are by Crafty Individuals which I bought at the Happy Stampers Northwest show last year. I not used them before and can't understand why as they are beautiful. The only thing I wished I done was to put either UTEE or Glossy Accents on the little dangly squares, just to give them a bit more dimension.

Here is a close-up of the decoration on the bag. Since the photo was taken I've put Glossy Accents on the square picture and it really does make a difference. The flower stamp was a freebie from Craft Stamper a while ago. I've used a distress ink (I can't remember which one) and stamped on to a blank page in a old book as I wanted a nice texture for the flower. A chipboard key and some ribbon and fibres complete the bag.

I'm really pleased with all of it and enjoyed doing it. It's been a project that I have been able to do in stages and can develop it further.

That's all for now...

Happy Stampin'

L!s@ x

So how are things today??

2011-03-05T18:27:00.003Z

Well, I'm still VERY achy. I managed to sneak off up to my craftroom as my Gypsy is on overload with with all the projects that I've designed over this week. (The body may be kaput but the mind is still working!!). I was only in the room for about an hour and managed to cut a couple of things out which I can finish in the comfort of my warm sofa. Only thing is that my hands are covered in ink and explaining that one to OH is going to be very tricky, especially when I promised to be good and rest. Surely he'll let me off for an hour? Anyway, here is one result...

It's the multi-frame that I mentioned earlier in the week. I cut it out on thin card but now I've done a prototype I think that it would be better and sturdier on a thicker board. Then I can stand it up on my book shelves. All I did was to use my Accent Essentials cart and join up a few frames at different sizes, then Cricut cut it out and I decorated it using my new owl stamp set. It didn't take long to do and although I'm shattered now I'm pleased with what I did in the time I spent on it.

'The Owl and the Pussycat...'
I thought I'd just share this pic with you. Whilst I've been ill my furry kid 'Popeye,' along with his sister, you'll never guess.... 'Olive' has been keeping me company and trying to make me smile. I took this pic of him earlier. I think sometimes that the competition that he gets from my obsession with owls is too much for him and he decided that if you can't beat em, join em!! Olive is alittle more camera shy but quite happy to lend a paw when I need her help with my crafting. I'll post a pic of her soon as she's snoozing at the mo.

Can I also say thank you to all of my fellow do-craft forum members that have been blog hopping today and that have left me some lovely comments!! I'll hopefully get around to visiting everyone else's at some point this evening.

I really am very tired now and I'm off to have a rest. Take care,

Happy Crafting

L!s@ x

Getting there, slowly...

2011-03-03T18:33:00.004Z

Hello!

Just thought I'd bring you a quick update on the state of my illness. Well, I'm getting there. I still can't walk too far without getting breathless quickly and I can cough for England which I think has pulled several muscles in my chest somewhere as it hurts!! That's enough moaning for now, on with the post!!

As I haven't been doing any crafting, apart from designing on my Gypsy, I thought I show you some pictures of that other male in my life, Jez...

Here he is at about a month old. The fat pudding to the left of the pic is him!

And again at about 2 months old. He grew amazingly quick and seemed to change daily before my eyes!

Here he is all big and grown up. Surprisingly he has got a few different facial expressions and I've got to know them pretty well. I still haven't managed to get a pic of him as yet with his feathers up on the top of his head, which makes him look really funny. He's frowning at me here as I'd made him sit still so that I could take his photo. This is the picture that I'd like to eventually do a watercolour painting of...

Here we both are just about to go for a walk in the snow in early December last year. I have to say that the first time that he saw it he wasn't to sure!! Especially when he slipped on his favourite perch in it!!

At the moment he weighs about 5.5lb which isn't as heavy as he has been over the winter. I reckon that the muscle in my left arm will end up like Popeye's eventually.

Well, that's it. I hope you've enjoyed looking at some pics of Jez and hopefully I'll be back with some crafty makes soon!

L!sa x

Sick and tired...

2011-03-01T18:03:00.003Z

... of being ill! I've got a really nasty chest infection and have been confined to barracks, just as my crafting mo-jo was beginning to return. I'm confined to the sofa and have been told by my wonderful husband not to do ANYTHING! He's let me have my Gypsy and laptop on condition that I don't move and keep warm and rest. So that's it, I've been designing away and have a couple of projects to cut out including a Spring book and a multi frame which I can't wait to get started on.

I've been watching loads of Create and Craft TV and have treated myself to an early birthday present and have ordered the Meerkat set by Hunkydory. (I can't find a link to the set as the website is down at the time of writing) I really can't resist their latest lines and think I've figured out how to make their 'paw card' on my Gypsy (whatever would I do without it? My Gypsy that is, as if you need reminding!)

I made this little fella a couple of weeks ago and didn't post a pic of him. He's currently a pin badge and is probably one that I keep as he's so cute. He's made from Studio Sculpey and is a result of an idea that I'd had kicking around in my head for a while. I used to use Fimo quite alot years ago but got really fed up as when you've got naturally cold hands (like I have -poor circulation I think its called) then it can be a devil to warm up so that you can actually work with it. I saw this stuff and thought I'd give it a go. It comes in some great colours and I'd like to make some different coloured owls when I'm allowed to move from this flipping sofa!!

Here are his brother and sister which have yet to be 'cured' (put in the oven). I made the feathers by cutting a straw length ways and using the curved end to make an impression. If you've never used a modelling material before do have ago!!

Well thats it, I'm off for a snooze now. I am getting tired very easily at the mo and don't want to over do it.

Thanks for looking,

L!sa x

Lots of lovely pics... part 2!

2011-02-25T20:24:00.005Z

Here we are, as promised, pics of my Owl Day scrapbook. Please bear in mind that it is very 'lick and stick'. Almost no thought or creativity has gone into the layouts as I didn't want to think about it too much I just wanted to 'craft'. Note the use of Gypsy and Cricut though!!

See you again soon, hopefully with pics of my finished hen scrapbook!

L!sa x

Lots of lovely pics... part 1!

2011-02-25T20:12:00.003Z

Well, I promised you pics and here they are. Here is the stamp set that I recently bought from my local craft shop and what's the theme? Owls, oh there's a surprise. I've not played with them yet but am hoping to get some time next week. The stamps weren't bad value either considering that they all came together in a pack....

Check out my next post for pics of the owl day scrapbook!

L!sa x

Apologies...

2011-02-24T20:10:00.002Z

Hi All

What a bad blogger I am! Trouble is I think I've lost my crafting-mojo! I've managed to finish my owl scrapbook (which I need to photograph and then post pics), and have come to a complete standstill with my 'hen' scrapbook. I need to sort some pictures out and then maybe that'll help me to get it back. On top of all this I was supposed to have done two thank you cards and a scrapbook this week for a client, and have they been done? NO! Have I got any ideas? NO!

So what have I been doing besides moaning about the rainy weather? Well, I've been spending lots of time with my owl and at the centre. Its getting near to breeding season and we want lots of lovely owl babies to play with. (That means cleaning aviaries and getting covered in muck!) I am beginning to smell and feel like an owl! I really wouldn't be surprised if I looked at my arms one day and saw feathers sprouting! But its all good fun and I am enjoying it, beats going to the gym anyway! So that means that all thoughts of crafting have gone!! I know I'll get back into it and the break will probably do me some good.

I have been very naughty and ordered the Flutterby Wishes kit by Hunkydory (love their products!) from Create and Craft. You can find a link to it here. I've also got my eye on a similar cat kit that they're doing and think that it would be purr-fect to use to make a scrapbook for our furry kids.

I suppose I'd better go. Will post pics of owl scrapbook and new owl stamp set tomorrow.

Till then...

Happy Crafting

L!sa x

WOYWW

2011-02-09T20:08:00.004Z

Hello again!

What's On Your Workdesk on Wednesday?

I've been doing abit of blog hopping lately (again!) and have discovered that some of you out there in blog-land will show you're workspaces and what you're working on, or at least that's how I've interpreted it! So I thought I'd show you my desk...

This is part of the hen scrapbook that I'm making and you can see a few of the pages at the right hand side of the picture. The shed like things at the top of the pic are going to be hen houses which you can see the page underneath through. I must admit that I keep very few things out on my desk as I like to have lots of space to work in. Then, when the project is finished I tend to have a mass tidy up which can sometimes take a while!

Talking about my desk it actually came from freecycle and is an office desk. It's very sturdy and is about 5ft long so that leaves me with plenty of space. I don't know if you've looked at your local freecyle but it's a great place where people can offer their unwanted items. Just type 'Freecycle' into a search engine on the net and it will direct you to your local area. I receive emails daily about the things that are on offer. I got some great plants for the garden as well as some books last year. I've also got a few items of furniture that I'll be putting on soon to find a new home.

Anyway, back to the crafting... I was really excited last night as the postman left me a note to say that a parcel had arrived for me. I went to collect it tonight and it was the Cricut cartridge that I ordered last week from america. When you buy a new cart you get a voucher with points on which you can then redeem on the provocraft website for any of the items. I decided to use all my points and got Paper Doll Dress Up. I'm not that bothered about the dolls but some of the accessories look really useful. My father-in-law likes trains and on the sister cart to this one (Everyday Paper Dolls) there is a great train that I want to turn into a card at some point.

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to have a good look at my new cart, oh, and I've got to finish my husbands Valentines Day card too. I'll post a pic later in the week.

Happy Crafting

L!sa x

Roses again!

2011-02-05T18:08:00.003Z

Hiya

I really can't get over how EASY it is to make these roses. Why have I not discovered them before? I've had another go today, this time using a die by Marianne Creatables. The one I used was the one at the far left of the pic (as you look at the screen).

This is a close up of the finished rose...

I left the brad showing this time as I think it really adds something to the rose.

I'm hoping to get some pics up of the scrapbook that I'm working on at the mo, no, not the owl one, another one! I don't think I've mentioned this one before but I decided that I wanted to be more creative, let go abit more... so I'm working on a project from scratch. The scrapbook is about my hens. One of them, Daisy died in November of last year and I want to create something that will help us to remember her by as she was such a character.

So keep watching this space for the book when it appears...oh and the owl book is ticking along nicely too.

Happy Crafting!

L!sa x

(like the exclamation mark in my name, now who does that remind you of??)

Coming up Roses! - Tutorial

2011-02-04T12:03:00.007Z

Hi All

What a week! I struck down with the dreaded lurgy and haven't really done all that much crafting this week. I feel a lot better this morning and decided to have a go at some flowers that I'd seen in the January edition of craft stamper, but I Lisa'd them.

I've made a little tutorial so let me know if you have a go and it works ok. I've not written one before, so here goes...

I used punches of various sizes for my flowers

instead of dies...

Here I have punched out the circlessome of which

are scalloped to give extra dimension and then

sprayed them with Cosmic Shimmer Mist.

Whilst they're still wet, scrunch up the circles

and cut a smaller circle of card to use as a base.

You'll also need a brad to hold the whole thing

together.

Lay out all of the circles on top of each other ensuring

that your card circle is at the bottom. Punch a whole

through all of the layers and then secure with a brad.

Bring all the petals to the centre gently, and

scrunch once more.

Gently open out all of the layers and let dry naturally or

dry with a heat gun being careful not to scorch the

edges.

I made this flower with the grunge paper flower die

from paper artsy and it gives a different shape and look

to the flower.

I must admit that I find these flowers very satisfying and quick to make. They look stunning on cards or in fact on just about anything. Try giving them a light spray of perfume for that really authentic feel.

Hope you enjoy making them,

Have fun!

Lisa x

FF Challenge Dots & Spots Entry 2!

2011-01-31T16:29:00.003Z

Hi All

I made this card on Saturday for the Forever Fr iends Dots & Spots Challenge at the same time as my first entry and decided not to enter it. But, at the persuasion of my other half, its going in after all...

This is what it looks like closed...

...and then open...

Let me know what you think as I prefer the first entry (you'll need to scroll down my blog abit to find it). I quite like the mechanism and have other ideas how to use it so watch this space!!

See you soon

Lisa x

What do you think?

2011-01-30T09:17:00.002Z

Good Morning!

What do you think of the new layout? Do you like it? Have you noticed that the owls eyes blink? I think it is sooooooo cool! I'd really like to thank Penilla for allowing me to use this layout. You can find more of her wonderful designs here. I'd wanted a more owly layout for ages and have been struggling to find one. Then I went mooching around last weekend and found Penilla's site, and that was it, I knew I had to have it. I just need to sort out the header part of my blog to bring it in line with the rest and that's it, I'll be sorted.

I won't be doing much crafting today as I've managed to really hurt the muscle in my left arm. How, I don't know! Consequently this is being typed with one hand. Oh well...

Anyway, hope you enjoy looking at my designs and thanks to Penilla once again.

Lisa x

Forever Friends Challenge Entry - Spots & Dots

2011-01-29T19:19:00.004Z

Hi All

Well, this is it. Here is my entry for the Forever Friends Challenge...

The idea is that its a stack of three presents with the bear hiding in another present at the bottom. And guess how it was done, yup, you guessed it, my Gypsy! I've used Card Candy for the spots on the middle pressie and used the floral die for the flowers by Tim Holtz.

Hope you like it!

Lisa x

New pages...

2011-01-28T18:44:00.004Z

Hi All

Just thought I'd drop by and post a couple of pics of the two new scrapbook pages that I've completed for my Owl day book. I think this is going to be an ongoing project and I'm really enjoying work on it...

It's just a quick post today as I'm busy working on a card for the Forever Friends Challenge. Now, where did I put my Gypsy???

Lisa x

Gypsy

2011-01-22T21:04:00.006Z

Hello again

I've been asked how I use my Gypsy in my crafting. I've only had it for a few months and am still exploring the possibilites. I really like the fact that you can hide different parts of a shape and not cut them. This is really useful if you want to integrate a design into a card.

Below are just a few examples of cards that I've made...

This is an easel card that I made. I drew out the circles on my Gypsy and then linked them together with a small rectangle. The welding tool lets me stick shapes toegther which are then cut out as one. The scalloped circles are also cut out with my Cricut. There is a layer facility on my Gypsy which allows me to add layers to a design so that I can accurately cut out borders etc that for my design.

Here is another easel card.This time I welded the circles together on my Gypsy.

This card was made by welding hearts and rectangles together. I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the backgrounds.

I've also had great fun making word books too...

I'm sure that there's so much more that I can do with my Gypsy and I know I'm going to have lots of fun finding out!!

Lisa xx

Penny Black Challenge

2011-01-18T21:57:00.003Z

Hello again!

Here is the other challenge entry that I mentioned in an earlier post. This one is to use a Penny Black stamp with the theme 'All you need is love'. The challenge can be found here at the Penny Black at Allsorts blog.

Out came my Cricut and Gypsy again to make the heart shaped card, and then to do the cut out hearts. The stamp I used is from the 'T is for Transparent' set which includes some cute little hedgehogs and also a sweet little kittie in an envelope. The swirl is made by using a Tim Holtz die and cutting bits off.

My husband hasn't seen this card yet so he might get it for Valentine's Day!

Thanks for looking and I'll keep my fingers crossed as there are some great prizes on offer.

See you next time

Lisa xx

Forever Friends Challenge Entry

2011-01-18T19:34:00.007Z

Hello!

I've decided to have ago at another two challenges this week. First, here is my entry for the Forever Friends 'make a card with more than one fold'. You can find the challenge here and here is my entry...

This is the whole card, a double twisted easel. The middle part is also an easel but I didn't know what to call that bit!!

Here is a closer view of one of the sections. You can't really

tell from the pic but the bear is decoupaged and the frame is

also raised to give lots of dimension.

Here is the other side! The bear isn't decoupaged this

time but still keeps with the theme.

Here is a close up of the middle section. The flower

is decoupaged.

I really like this card and didn't really have to plan it, it just evolved itself.

My other challenge entry can be found on the next post so please go and have a look.

Happy Crafting!!!

Lisa xxxx

2011-01-15T17:42:00.003Z

Hi All

Phew, I'm really glad last night is over! Panic stations or what. I've just been fiddling with my blog-look again and have managed to get rid of the nasty grey box that was there. I've also updated my profile so you can now see the other male in my life - Jez the owl!

Talking of which, I went to see Jez today and he just ignored me!! He did manage a squeaky hoot when I went in his aviary to feed him, which was really funny. He sounds a bit like a teenager who's waiting for his voice to break! Other than that he didn't even look at me!! Little so and so. I still love him to bits though and can't wait for the lighter nights so that I can start training him again.

This pic wasn't taken today as I forgot to take my camera with me but it's a typical look 'I'm so superior to you!'

I've been pretty busy today and just had enough time to finish my entry for the Sir Stampalot Challenge. http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-challenge.html

The theme is 'Winter's Tale'. I don't know the Shakespeare version so went with David Essex's. I've had the stamp (by Creative Expressions) since just before Christmas and hadn't really used it that much. The apertures are created by using my Cricut and Gypsy -oh there's a surprise! They were then embossed by my Cuttlebug. Some stamped and cut out trees with the addition of Snowtex completes the card.

Here's a closer look. Hopefully you can see the depth that I was trying to create. I iffed and aahed about putting something at the top of the frame but my husband put me off by saying that it would be too much. The jury's still out as to whether I agree with him or not!!

The nights are colder now, maybe I should close the door, and anyway the snow has covered all your footsteps, and I can follow you no more...

I suppose that's it for now. I've got to figure out how to link this post to the Sir Stampalot Challenge and then maybe there'll be time to do another page of my scrapbook or two...

Happy Crafting!!

Lisa

A big THANK YOU!!!

2011-01-14T22:01:00.000Z

Hi All

This evening has been a NIGHTMARE!! I am making a huge effort to keep my blog updated and was doing really well until I tried to change the look of it. Luckily I had help from a trimcraft forum member called Rozzy who very kindly came to my rescue. Within an hour the problem was solved and you are now able to read my ramblings thanks to her perseverance and patience. I really can't thank her enough!!

So once again

THANK YOU ROZZY!!!!!

A very grateful and relieved

Lisa xxx

Another post...

2011-01-11T20:39:00.000Z

I know, two days on the trot!! Getting good aren't I!!??

I thought I'd just do a quick post to let you see a couple of quick makes. On saturday I was browsing the net and saw this owl die and just couldn't resist ordering one. (To add to the other 4 that I've already got!!)

The die is by Go-kreate and really easy to use in my cuttlebug. I ordered it saturday evening and it arrived today. Wow! It cost £9.99 and is the largest of the owl dies available. It measures about 10cm and I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with it!! These twooo are destined for a place on my desk.

This doesn't look much does it? But I think its going to be a homemade anti-static bag. I say think because I haven't actually given it a thorough test yet. I was watching Create and Craft TV on sunday and saw Barbara Gray from Clarity stamps. She was using talcum powder to stop the static on her paper/card. She'd got the talc in a pot and was just applying it with a brush. Hmm I thought, 10 minutes later, here's my version. Talc in a dried up baby wipe. (It took 1 minute to get the idea and then 9 more to figur out a suitable fabric). I think the baby wipe works better as a tissue rips too easily and the pores on kitchen towel don't allow the talc to get through.

I need to test it properly but if you give it a go leave me a comment and let me know how you get on. Really think I'm talking (blogging) to myself sometimes!!

Last night I did my first blog hop over at Sir Stampalot. It was great fun and I got to look at alot of lovely peoples work - thank you for sharing. I really need to crack on with my design now. It's sort of half planned, it just needs finalising and then making up.

See you later

Lisa xxx

Tickled Pink!

2011-01-11T05:20:00.000Z

Hi All

Do you remember that I said I was going to do a scrapbook about my Owl Days at the Internationl Centre for Birds of Prey? Well, at the weekend I started!! I decided to use my Henbury Lane kit that I bought before Christmas. There aren't going to any brilliantly created pages with my own stamped backgrounds as there are loads of embellishments in the kit and it would be a shame not to use them. Anyway, I'm looking forward to doing a 'lick and stick' activity. (By lick and stick I mean something that you just stick things onto without lots of inking and stamping). So, here's one of the pages...

The little owl is a die cut (nope, and not from my Cricut - now there's a surprise!) The owl started life as a feature on my little Christmas tree at work, then they (there are others too) migrated and joined my home on the Christmas tree here, now they're all destined for a life in my scrapbook. A happy ending for these cheeky chappies!!

I like this page although it is very simple. The top two pics are of a barn owl and the lower two a young great horned owl. You can't really tell from the pics but the great horned owl still had bits of down and I had to really resist from touching it as it looked so soft.

I think scrapbooking is a great way of displaying your precious memories and would encourage anyone to have a go...

That's it for now, back with more pages soon.

Lisa x

Just a quick...

2011-01-10T22:53:00.000Z

post as I've just completed my first blog hop for Sir Stampalot. I've had a lovely time looking at lots of great blogs and have come back to mine thinking that it now needs a revamp, ideas on a postcard please.

Oh, and I've tried to blog about my scrapbook but for some reason I've managed to 'schedule' its appearance. I hope it does appear at some point as for once I've actually found the time to do a proper post!!!

Oh well, fingers crossed!!

Lisa

Happy New Year

2011-01-07T20:41:00.000Z

Hello! And a very Happy New Year!

Well, it looks like my New Years Resolution went out of the window in the first week didn't it! There I was making plans to update my blog every day and I haven't even managed it for the first week. Realistically I think it's going to have to be every few days and I like to have a break between crafting to do other things so there's not always a 'make' to post.

I got really excited the other day as the postman delivered a package containing two new carts for me, Straight from the nest and 3 birds on Parade. I was watching Create and Craft last weekend and these two were part of the sale and I just couldn't resist. Both look as if they'll work very nicely for all sorts of occasions including Easter which is my favourite time of the year. The next step is to get them linked to my Gypsy and then to start playing!!

Earlier this week I decided to start scrapbooking the photos from two visits to the International Centre for Birds of Prey that myself and my husband visited. I don't know how you start your scrapbooks off but I tend to collect all the photos together that I want to use. Then I crop them and organise them into a sort of timeline. Lastly I stick them onto the pages and embellish. I find the hardest part is deciding what photos to leave out. The idea for this project was to put both visits into one scrapbook but there are really too many lovely photos and it would be a shame to leave anyof them out.

Below is a couple of pictures that will form part of a 'film strip' for a page on the Burrowing Owls that we saw on one of our visits. These little owls are really cute and had special tunnels built into the flying field so that they can hide if they feel threatened...

I'll leave you to look at these little characters and see you soon!!

Lisa xxx

Nearly there...

2010-12-31T21:50:00.000Z

Hi All

Well, that's it, 2011 is nearly here, just a couple more hours to go...

I've finally managed to get my thank you cards done and here they are for you to see...

I used my Gypsy again (there's a surprise!) and 'Hoot n Hooller' to make the cards. I tried to use bits from my leftover box as it seems to growing and growing at the mo, hence the different colours! One of my New Year's Resolutions is to use up more of the bits. I need to get my Cricut and Cuttlebug and just make a load of die cuts to use them up. I suppose I'll get round to it at some point.

Anyway that's it for now. Have a great New Year and I'll see you in 2011.

Lisa x

Let it Snow...

2010-12-27T13:42:00.000Z

Hi there!

I don't know what the weather is like where you are but here it's SNOWING!! and has been all day so far...

This means that I've been able to get into my craftroom and play as our trips out today have been cancelled. This idea has been buzzing around in my head for the past few days and still needs a little tweaking before I'm completely happy with it...

The idea was to make a box with 'windows' so that the contents could be seen through, as I am an owlie I wanted to use this theme so created this box.

I designed the box on my Gypsy using 'Bags, tags, boxes and more' and 'Hoot n Holler'. An acetate window with an owl stamped on it completed the box. The owl shapes that were cut out of the windows were stamped on and then used to decorate the top of the box. I think the snowflakes needed to be stamped alittle better, maybe using silver ink as well. Overall I am pleased with and have found something else out that my Gypsy/Cricut can do.

This exploding box is one of seven that I made for my 'special' cards this year. I used stamps by artemio which have been sitting in my cupboard since last year. The tree in the middle of the box is a candle that I found in my local pound shop. I used Snowtex sprinkled with extra fine glitter for added sparkle. On top of the box is a little card with a message for the recipient inside. I stamped snowflakes on the the inside of the outer layer of the box and added some little gem stones. The boxes took ages to make but I thoroughly enjoyed making them, especially when I saw my relatives faces when they opened then. I like exploding boxes and the things that you can do with them.

I've tried really hard to use up my Christmas stash this year and not buy anything new. I was really good but haven't even scratched the surface and have STILL got two boxes full. IF I get short of something to do in the early part of the New Year then I'lll try and make some more bits and pieces ready for next Christmas. (Oh, I did give in and buy the Henbury Lane Christmas pack and the Forever Friends - oops!!)

Well, that's it for now. I've got my thank you cards to put together now, owl themed of course!!

See ya

Lisa x

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-26T17:08:00.000Z

Hi All

I hope you're all having a lovely christmas and that it is all that you wished for!

I was spoilt rotten present-wise and had some lovely Paper Artsy stamps and dies, can't wait to get crafting with them! I also had the new Nigella 'Kitchen' recipe book. I really like her recipes and haven't found one yet that doesn't work or taste good, and they're easy too.

Anyway, back to the crafting.. here are some more pics of my creations over the past few months...

This was made for the secretaries at work that were retiring.

Inside I put pockets that held tags that each of the staff had written a message on. Both women were delighted with their gifts.

This card was made with a stamp from 'Darkroom Door' and was stamped using different techniques. From left to right - 1) black staz on ink onto alcohol ink background. 2)Versamark clear ink stamped onto black card and then brushed over with pink mica powder. 3) Black staz on stamped onto heated pink friendly plastic.

That's all for now. Gotta go and make my thank you cards for my pressies...

Lisa

The Feathery Bundle...

2010-12-23T17:09:00.000Z

Well folks here it is, the reason I've been such a bad blogger this year. His name is Jez and he's just over 8 months old. Last year I started to volunteer at my local falconry centre and now, under the direction of my mentor, I'm training this fella. He is a delight to work with and can be quite a handful at times, literally, as he weighs in at 5lb 13oz. The muscles in my left arm have really developed this year!! I love him to bits and learn something new every day.

I've been doing lots of crafting too and made this for my best friends 70th birthday. She was delighted with it. The poem which is actually song words is by Russell Watson and called 'Always There'.

My intention this hols is to set up a flicker or photobucket site where all my creations can be viewed but until then here's another couple of my creations...

See you next time

Lisa xxx

Bad Blogger!!!

2010-12-21T10:40:00.000Z

Hi All

I'm a bad blogger! The trouble is that this year has gone so fast and in June of this year I got a little bit distracted by a feathery bundle!! More later with pics!!

My New Year's Resolution is to keep this blog up to date, even if it is every few days and to post pics of my creations, and this year there's been a few!!

Anyway, really gotta go now. Will post pics later.

Lisa x

Birthday Party

2010-03-20T20:26:00.000Z

Hi All

What a great party that was then!! I'm not a cook, I'm a crafter so everything I did was within my competence level. I must admit to have been worried stiff about it but in the end it turned out not so bad, I've just got a mountain of washing up to do. The food was ok. The potato salad that I made went down well, even though I forgot to put it out at the beginning. There wasn't any left of the sticky chicken so that must have tasted nice!!

The pics s how the decorations that I made and the cake that I had. No candles, (I'm a bit too old for that) but my guests did sing happy birthday to me, that was nice!! All the guests went home with a goodie tin too. The men had sweets and the women had small toiletries with a face flannel and candle. They all seemed delighted by these, well, you can't have a party and not have goody bags can you???

A bit nervous...

2010-03-19T13:52:00.000Z

Hi All!

Where has the week gone? One minute I was at the start of the week thinking, 'oh I've got loads of time to get ready for the party', then here we are, the night before...

Tomorrow I'm having my birthday party!!! I haven't had one before and I'm looking forward to it. I know I'm abit old to be having a themed party but I'm having a Hello Kitty one. I've made loads of decorations with my Hello Kitty Cricut cartridge and have even made goodie tins for my guests to take home with them! The women have got small bottle of toiletries and the men sweets. I'm off to pick up my birthday cake later, which of course is HK.

I'm a bit nervous because I don't like cooking, so I've kept it to a minimum - Lisa went to Iceland! (The shop not the place!!) I am making a potato salad and doing my sticky chicken which has gone down well before.

I'd better go now and get some more preparation done now, so I'll see you all later and post pics of the day!!

Bye... xxx

Oh, I forgot...

2010-03-14T19:28:00.000Z

...to post a pic of the card I made for my mum for Mother's Day. I made it using the scallop card at 5" from my Wildcard Cart for my Cricut and the Popcorn the Bear CD. I just hope that she liked it!!!!

Bind-it-all books

2010-03-14T18:25:00.000Z

Hi All

Wow! What a busy weekend. I don't seem to have stopped for a second. Yesterday I was sorting our spare room which is very NEARLY finished. Then I put all our Easter decorations up (sorry I can't post pics but I want it to be a surprise for when family and friends see it on Saturday, will post some up after that!)

Today has seen me otu in the garden planting up some pots with some beautiful brightly coloured polyanthus. They really gave me a lift as I was planting them and got me in the creative mood. Then I was back inside and up to my craft studio. I bought a bind it all last year and haven't really used it that much but I was blog hopping last night and came across this great idea. Out came my wonderful Cricut and here is the finished result. I've made two post it note holders! Of course one had to have the Hello Kitty theme as I'm really into this at the mo. This one will be for my desk and the other is destined for the kitchen. They were really quick to make and I can see some more being made as little stocking fillers for later in the year. I'm hoping to make more use of my bind it all now that I've 'found' it again so watch this space for more ideas!

Hope you like them...

Fantastic Mrs Fox

2010-03-09T18:03:00.000Z

Hello!

Where is the time going? I can't believe that it will soon be Easter and that I'll have been married for a whole year. This time last year I was panicking about cakes and table decorations and here I am now, my first anniversary just a few weeks away. I didn't realise when we initially set the date for our wedding that our first anniversary would actually be on Easter Sunday, but how special is that? We both love Easter and I've been busy making decorations for the house and treats for friends to celebrate.

Anyway, driving home last night I had to slow down quite quickly as just at the very edge of my vision on the left hand side of the road I caught site of a pointed nose and furry ears. Before I knew what was happening a fox walked out in front of me, and I mean walked, not ran, and crossed the road. She was beautiful, a vixen in her prime. Gorgeous red coat and a bushy tail. Now I know that they can be a pest and I dare say that I wouldn't be extolling her virtues if she'd have eaten one of my hens but sometimes you just have to stop and admire beauty. Thankfully there weren't any other cars around and I was able to do just that.

Isn't nature wonderful???

xxx

Garden Helper

2010-03-06T21:37:00.000Z

Hi All

So where did that week go? I haven't had chance to be creative this week, too busy doing housework etc. The spare room is AT LAST beginning to look tidy! I can't believe that just after Christmas I sat and cried in it, more through despair than anything. The room was SO full of junk it was untrue. Still, I've persevered and it looks like my husband is a little closer to getting his 'den'.

One of the other things that's been bugging me this week is the front garden. It looked so untidy . Everytime I past the window it annoyed me. I set to work with the pruners in the week and managed to cut the buddleia back to about 2ft. It looks shorn but I know it will be a better plant for it. Then today I went out for a couple of hours to get rid of the dead leaves and do abit of hoeing. Whilst I was there Mrs Blackbird came to 'help' me. She's very distinctive as she's got a white feather in her wing. She decided to look for worms whilst I was turning the soil over. What a pleasure and a joy to see. Robins I'm used to 'helping' me in the garden, but not so much Blackbirds as they tend to be too shy. I've just got a little more work to do out there and I hope she'll be there to lend a wing!! Isn't nature wonderful!!

See you next time xxx

Like the new look????

2010-02-28T16:34:00.000Z

Hi All

Well, what do you think of the new look? I've been meaning to do this for ages and I don't think I'm quite finished just yet!! The background had to be something owly didn't it? Leave a comment and let me know if you like it or not.

I'll post pic of my latest crafty makes soon and get back into keeping this up to date.

TTFN

Lisa x