Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 21

Welcome to another week for Craft Juice Tuesday! And this week it's all about blue! Click on each picture to be taken to their Craft Juice listing.

Recycled flash bulbs have been made into earings! Buy from Tanith


Recycled and cute! Blue tit (that will get me some spam!) gift tags from Swirlyarts!

Buy this button bracelet from Mushymakes

See you next week!

Help!

I've been asked to make a Birthday card for a 27 year old male with a computer theme. Now I know I've seen some quirky digi images of men and computers somewhere along the way, but for the life of me, I just cannot remember nor find where!

Can someone help?! I only have a week or so to locate and get the card made. So if you can leave me a comment with a link to a digi image that I can use (happy to pay too!) then please let me know!

Thanks!!

Polkadoodle Challenge Week 25 - Boys

Welcome to another Polkadoodle Challenge - yes it's Friday again! This week Brenda has set the challenge with the theme of:

Boys

I've used a quick card solution again this week (time is just not on my side!) and have gone for the Son Word Card from Paper Boutique.

I've used the A5 template, printed it all out and basically added it together - really easy and quick! I've outlined the edges of the letters on both backgrounds with a black Sharpie marker and added some glitter glue to the stars with foam pads adding the depth to the layers.

Hope you can join the challenge this week - closing date is Sunday 4 July at 12noon GMT. And if you are able to take control of the tv remote on Sunday, pop over to Create and Craft - Ideal World as Nikky will be launching her brand new cd - Paper Boutique Vol 2 - Creative Christmas. So if you liked the first volume, you'll love the Christmas edition!

• All card elements: Paper Boutique from Polkadoodles
  

I'm In A Book!

I am so chuffed I can't describe it!! A fellow Moderator, Simon Easton on the Crafts Forum was asked to write a book on how to get started in Pyrography and asked for non wood crafters for help to show the diversity of wood burning and that it could be combined with other crafts.

So, naturally I offered my services and Si burned the initials H and S into two wooden discs so I could make Hayley and Stephens Wedding Card. I don't think I blogged it when I made it (doh) but here you can see it in print:

A close up of the card I made and see - my name!!!


I also asked Si to make a tooth box so that the tooth fairy could keep all Samuel's tiny baby teeth in together. Samuel likes dinosaurs and I wanted his name on the box and left the rest to Si. And here you can see how he made the design - IN HIS BOOK!!!!!

And here is the actual box. The detail is amazing - the dino is actually holding a toothbrush with the tooth that has fallen out on the grass.

Samuel's name has been burned into the wool in the style of bones. I am so pleased with the box to the extent that I am looking forward to Jacob loosing his baby teeth!



So, the book is called Woodburning with Style and is by Simon Easton. It's published by Fox Chapel Publishing and is not yet available to buy - but I've got one!! It's packed full of useful tips and projects and basically everything you need to know about woodburning. The only downside, and I hope you take note of this Si, is that it should come with a scratch and sniff page as the smell of burning wood is the best in the world!

You can actually pre-order it on Amazon via this link - and its a really good book to have! Both my boys have looked through it and have asked lots of questions on how it is all done.

Beautiful photos and a lovely writing style that will appeal to anyone!

Go buy!!!!

Thank you so much Si, for all the nods in the book - really appreciate it!

Vintage Cars & Father's Day

For Father's Day we visited Brodsworth Hall in South Yorkshire. We visited last year too! Oh, just noticed that Samuel is wearing the same t-shirt!!

Once again there was a vintage car rally and here are some of the photos from the day:

This was a racing Porsche and the bloke let both boys sit in it and ask millions of questions.

This is a Ford Zepher and I just love the colour!

There were a few army jeeps and the boys were allowed to sit in this one

And try on the helmets - English and German. And yes, they were heavy!!

Attempt at an arty shot but Jacob was not impressed if you look closely!

Inside there was a new exhibition about sailing on the high seas with wigs and hats that the kids could dress up in. And my two, never shy when it comes to dressing up posed for me!

And here is the Hall taken from the field we parked in.

Great day out!!!!

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 19

Well, it just has to be a summer theme for this week's Craft Juice Tuesday! And for the observant followers of Craft Juice - it's had a face lift!!

To view the items directly on Craft Juice click on the picture.

Lovely ceramic buttons from hodgepodgearts

I just cannot resist amyorangejuice's stained glass panels and this one just screams summer!!
And how about this for a riot of colour - buy from pollyorange

See you next Tuesday!

We All Went To The Zoo Zoo Zoo!!

It was the Pre-School leavers trip on Friday from Nursery and we all went to Blackpool Zoo!! Despite living fairly close to it, we've never actually visited it so it was a new trip for me and Jacob!

There were 16 kids plus staff, me and 3 other parents who visited the zoo and we had a great day!

Quite a few animals including giant tortoises:

And, yes! There were dinosaurs!! All with roars and a gushing volcano! I managed to impress the staff and some of the kids with my vast knowledge of which dinosaur was what. Until they realised I was reading the information stands......

We saw giraffes too:
And watched the sealion show. What's the difference between seals and sealions? Seals slither along the ground and have internal ears, whereas sealions have tiny little flaps covering their ears and then have useful flippers!

And then we all went on the adventure playground. Including two BIG KIDS!!!!

Thank you to the girls for another memorable trip and this should be the last one I go on as Jacob leaves this year, however I have a feeling I'll be asked back!!

Funky Flower

Here is the final card I made with the Spring into Summer digital scrapbooking kit from Alison Sloan and I used the Mojo Monday sketch:


I've made the flower by snipping the outer edge of the circle (two papers glued together) and then rolling the 'petals' towards the centre so that they stand up. I've used co-ordinating purples and contrasting pinks for the flower.

Again, all the elements shown with exception to the ribbon and flower button are from the kit. There is a lot lot more in the kit too - I could have made 10 more cards and not shown all the variety!

The kit is not available to purchase until 1 July so check Alison's blog for updates and where to buy from.

Thank you to Alison for asking me to make physical cards from her digital scrapbooking kit - I've enjoyed using Spring Into Summer!!

• All papers and flower brad: Spring into Summer digital scrapbooking kit from Alison Sloan
• Ribbon and button: My stash
  

Spring Into Summer

Another card made with the digital scrapbooking kit from Alison Sloan which is due to be released on 1 July. Alison contacted me last week to ask if I'd make a card (I made 3!) with the kit to show it's versatility and that it can be used for physical creations.

So this is the second of the three cards I made with the kit and this one follows the sketch from 2 Sketches 4 U:


All the papers and elements (except the ribbon) are from the kit. There are 3 different birdies and this one just shouted out to me! The pink paper is really vibrant and a lot brighter than my slightly wonky photo shows!

The best thing about a digi kit is that all the elements including papers can be resized to suit individual needs. The little brad element is also from the kit and I've added a clear dome sticker for further depth.

Just one more card to show from this kit - coming up soon!

• All paper based elements: Spring into Summer digital scrapbooking kit from Alison Sloan - to be released on 1 July 2010
• Ribbon: My stash
  

One For The Guys

I was approached last week by a talented and generous digital designer - Alison Sloan - who asked if I would make a card from a digital kit aimed at digital scrapbooking before it's launch on 1 July. And because I am a fan of her work I jumped at the chance!

The kit - Spring Into Summer - is due to be released on 1 July and will be available via Alison's blog (she designs under the name of Milly Dee) plus through a selected number of digital stores.

So as I had the kit in my hands, I looked through some of the current challenges. The first one is for Incy Wincy Designs, and it asks for:

One For The Guys

Within the Spring into Summer Kit there are a number of papers - all square sized as they are aimed at digi scrapbooking but make a great square card base! Also in the kit are sentiment tiles and digi elements - these will be shown in the next two posts as I made 3 cards in total from the kit.
So here are two of the papers with minimal inking on the edges. I've added eyelets and jute string with the button a digital element with a domed clear sticker over it for more depth.

• Backing papers: Spring into Summer Digital Scrapbooking kit by Alison Sloan - to be released on 1 July 2010
• Everything else: My stash
  

Elvis Rocks

It's been a while since I've entered a Dotties World challenge and I very nearly didn't enter this one either. That is until my cousin reminded me that she still needed a 40th Birthday Card for an Elvis fan.......

The Dotties World challenge this week is:

Fathers Day / Male Card

Because time was not on my side, I used the pre coloured Las Vegas George, cut him out leaving a thin white border. I've added 3d gold paint dots to his costume and also around the edge of the card.

The card shape is one of my own templates which is pretty easy to use and cut out. I've added paper from The Big One - Clare Curd Signature collection as all the colours matched and for once I didn't have to go hunting for a certain paper that I think I've seen somewhere in my stash...


The numbers have been cut from gold card using my Sizzix Round-a-Bout alphabet set, and again, I've dotted the gold 3d paint around the edges.

A fairly quick card to make, which was fortunate! If I don't write it down, I forget!!

• Backing paper: The Big One - Clare Curd Signature Range
  
• Image: Pre coloured Las Vegas George from Charmed Cards and Crafts
  
• Dies: Sizzix Round-a-Bout Alphabet
• Everything else: My stash
  

Simple Doodles Challenge 20 - Summer Fun

It's time for a Simple Doodles challenge! This week the theme is:

Summer Fun

I've used a cute little image from Michelle Perkett Studio which I received as part of the 50 / 50 Stamping Group. I've coloured it with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue, which because the photo is a particularly poor one, you cannot see too well!

I've used papers from Funky Daze - which I printed when my ink was running out so they do not show their true colour! I've added some ribbon from my stash - generously donated by Lynsey some time ago! Plus I've added some hat pins which I've added my own beads to.

Such a cute image and a great challenge too! Pop over to the challenge blog for more details - you have two weeks to enter so even better!

Good luck!

• Backing papers: Funky Daze from Funky Hand
• Image: Michelle Perkett Studio, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
• Everything else: My stash
  

Doodle Like Claire

A sketch from the Corrosive Challenge blog:

Which I've flipped on it's side and made this card:

I've used papers from my stash box (have a feeling they are Funky Hand but not sure which collection!) and I've used an image from Hope Jacare which I got as part of the 50/50 stamping group. I've coloured it with Promarkers and inked the edge.

I drew around a Nestabilities die twice for the shape of the image so that is why it is an unusual shape!

Ribbon is from my stash, and I've attempted to doodle around the edges as Claire does!

Apologies for the short post, but I've not long been home after arriving back from Blackpool Zoo and the nursery trip - photos to follow and a good time was had by all - I'm just shattered!

• Backing papers: Funky Hand
• Image: Hope Jacare from the 50/50 stamping group, coloured with Promarkers
• Everything else: My stash
  

Polkadoodle Challenge Week 24 - Father's Day / Male

Welcome to another Polkadoodle Challenge! This weeks challenge is set by Dee who has asked for:

A Father's Day / Male Card

I've gone back to a favourite cd - Paper Boutique and have used the A5 Dad Word Cad. Printed it all onto linen effect cream card and then cut all the elements out.

I've layered the blue section with foam pads and drawn around the edge with a black Sharpie marker. With the stars, again I've layered them with foam pads and then edged with glitter glue.

A great quick and simple card!

Good luck if you decide to enter the challenge - it is open until 27 June at 12noon GMT and you can enter the Polkadoodle challenge along with 9 others.

Good luck!

• Template and papers: Paper Boutique
  
• Glitter Glue: My stash
  

Time

It's turning out to be one of those weeks - the ones where time just evaporates!! I've got a lot on the go at the moment but I'm still around just working away madly!!

I'm a bit in demand which is a great feeling but rubbish for trying to get everything done!

And the hedgehog is well and truly snuggled down in it's (I presume her!) nest as the front area is all covered up with grass as if she's blocked herself in. So it's just a waiting game now!!

Tomorrow I am off to Blackpool Zoo with Nursery for the little ones who leave this time to go to school - this will be the third school leavers trip I've done with them (although only 2 kids!) because its such a good day out! We've never been to Blackpool Zoo so I'm looking forward to it!

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 18

It just had to be a football / World Cup themed Craft Juice Tuesday!

Click on each picture to be taken directly to their Craft Juice listing.

Wonderful little football men from dreamstar!

A football beanie hat - from mysparetimedesigns!

Great football patches again from mysparetimedesigns!

All Finished!

And here is the 18th Birthday Photo Album in all it's finished glory!! Well, almost as I forgot to take a photo of the last 2 pages for some strange reason!!

Danielle loved it and there are rumblings that others want one for their forthcoming 21st's!! I've said that I'm happy to do them, just more notice is needed!!!

The reverse of each page is a mirror image of itself as this was the easiest way. The little white blocks are notes for where each photo should be placed so to keep the balance of the page.

The brief was pink, black and silver!

I've used the Funky Fairy Pinkie Pops download including some of the 8x8 papers within the download as these made life a lot easier! The card for the actual pages is 300gsm smooth white card from The Papermill Shop and I've doodled a line around the edges. I also used silver card and the Swiss Dots embossing folder.

Sizzix Round-a-Bout alphabet set used for the very glittery letters along with a Nestabilities Spellbinder die. Plus lots of fibres, gems and card candy, including liquid pearls and glitter glue.

The last two sides should be here but I forgot to take a photo!

Total of approximately 15 hours from start to finish to make this and had to think on my feet too!