Monday, May 30, 2011

M.I.A.


Hello all.
I have not blogged since the 18th May - a very long break for me.
I have had a lot of issues to work through and family visiting as well.
Always so good to have my Dad and Step-Mom visit. We did some shopping, cooking, gardening and lots of eating. All very necessary things to do with family. It was a lovely visit and longer than usual. I was able to leave some of the stress behind whilst with them, but have dealt with it all - well most of it anyway - and can move on with my life.
Whilst I have not been prolific in the card making arena, I did manage a couple. Sadly, one of them photographed badly, very blurred, but has since reached it's destination and much admired. It is always so nice to send a card to a fellow card maker who appreciates all that goes into making a card. Most people don't know the hours of pondering and descisions these creations take and a lot of people just dismiss it all once read. Whilst a card maker will keep looking at it, analysing the processes and techniques used, lust after the stamps used that they do not have and store all this information in the memory banks for future reference.
This makes it all worthwhile.
Today's card was made for a blogging friend, who recently lost her father. I am blessed to still have mine, but know the heartbreak of losing my Mom and I really felt her loss.
I kept it simple so that the message was the focal point - it says it all!
I used a Verve stamp Psalm 46:1 stamped using Vivid Taupe onto Opale Wove Natural Shimmer card. I cut and embossed it using rectangle nestabilities and mounted it on gold card cut using the Fleur de Lis Square die cut. The seam binding is from Amelia and the colour is Olorosa, a beautiful shade. I added lovely roses bought from Paola and a few pearls stem I made myself. The little tag is a PTI die and stamp. I loved the colours and composition of this card.
It was made with lots of love, gratefully received and I hope some comfort as well.
Thanks for the visit.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Any one for Tea?

What fun this project was!
I was needing a little upliftment after the tragic loss of our beloved Trixie and what could be better than a lovely cup of tea! After my 'wild' knitted tea cosy, I felt a few more cosies would be most enjoyable, both to use and to make. On my WWW travels, I came across a website and found this amazing cosy. It is called Basket of Anemones. Originally I had intended it to be for my small tea pot, but had a senior moment when I started to knit the flowers and did not change the ply to match the smaller 'basket', so I carried on with the normal sized flowers and the cosy ended up sort of fitting my larger tea pot. I is a very cosy, cosy!
Just love it and am on a mission to do some more ~ guess there will be a lot of tea cosies given as gifts from me.....he-he-he! Unless I call them Monday cosy, Tuesday cosy etc....
My DH just shakes his head, but is sweet enough to say, if it makes you happy, I'm happy!
Now how lovely is that??




Makes me smile!!









Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Birthday Fairies

I found this amazing digital image at Mo's Digital Pencil, on my travels.
Don't you just love her?
She makes me smile and I think, why should fairies all be slim, young girls?


I coloured both these images with copics and cut them out using the Lacy Circle nesties.

The sentiment is a Hero Arts one from the set Inside & Out : Birthdays.






The rose at the top of the lilac card is on a peg, not part of the card. I have a strip of ribbon on a door and peg my cards on it for photographing. I also use this method to display my cards. Cupboard door are such wasted space and goodness know, crafters need every inch of space available!


I hope this brought a smile to your face!



Thanks for the visit.


Monday, May 16, 2011

A new bear - Rosy

Please click on the Moz Bearz page tab above to visit with my new creation - Rosy.

She has been adapted from a pattern from the Bear Creations magazine and given my own personal touch!

Rosy is up for adoption.

If anyone is interested please email me - the link is on the sidebar.


Thanks for the visit!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Last of this years Mother's day cards

The last two cards for this year.

Using lovely vintage images from the web, I mounted both on doilies I cut using the Marianne LR0130 die from Joan at Country Crafts.

The background of each card was created with a stamp from CHF, which sadly, is no longer in business.

The sentiments were cut out using label nesties and sponged using Distress Inks, and I added roses
for a pretty touch.






Mother's day put to rest!






Friday, May 13, 2011

Arum Lily



I have started work on this Arum Lily study.

The idea is to teach one how to handle white studies.

This work will have a dark background.

I have done one other artwork with a dark background and it stressed me out as the application is so 'messy', but he effect is stunning!

I will post another progress picture shortly.


Thanks for the visit.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Mother's Day 2011 - Bitter, Sweet

Not having your Mother nor your own children with you on Mother's day makes it difficult to cope with all the hype that goes with this day of celebrating Mom's.
I was spoilt by DH with tea and toast in bed and received wonderful calls from my son's and daughter in law, which certainly made my day. Whilst speaking to my youngest son, in walked my DH with the most awesome floral arrangement that had just been delivered, from the son I was talking to at that moment. What a lovely surprise. It softened the sadness immensley.

Not much later, whilst I was still chatting to my DIL, my DH comes running in to say Trixie, our 18 year old fur baby was missing. She had doggy altzheimers, and used to do the Houdini trick on us all the time. It was like having a toddler in the house again, and she needed constant watching. Somehow, the security gate leading onto the Patio was left open and Trixie went walk about and fell into our pool and drowned.
She was our dearest companion for many years, She gave us the most adorable puppies five times. Most of them have died already, but their Mom was determined she was not going to leave us. We took great care of her and dreaded the day she left us. Sadly, we did not expect it to be under such tragic cercumstances. She brought us so much joy every day of her life with us.
Our consolation is that she is in a better place now with no shortage of love there. I leave this post with a heavy heart, tears streaming down my face, but knowing she is on my darling Mom's lap being loved as she always was with us.


Trixie, forever in our hearts, rest in peace our darling.


The Funkie Junkie

Linda (The Funkie Junkie) has an Etsy Store where she sells the most amazing vintage items.
Not only is she a very talented lady, she is an awesome person as well.
You will love her work and what she sells from her Etsy shop.
It goes without saying that her service is excellent.
Do pop over and visit her inspiring blog that will link you to her Etsy store.
The link is on the right side of my blog.
You will be so glad you did!
Also ................... she has blog candy!
Now is that not an additional reason to pop over for a visit??

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day 2011

To all the Mom's,


Wishing you a happy Mother's Day.


Today, may you experience love and joy with your children


or happy memories and smiles without them.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Easel Calendar Cards

I recently made this easel calendar card as a thank you gift.

I used left overs from a swap as the base of this card - it was a special technique swap and I am looking forward to receiving the full set from the hostess. Brilliant idea for a swap.


It was mounted onto shimmer board and I trimmed it with a hand made paper flower and bits of ribbon and bling from the stash.

I die cut the banner for the sentiment out of nude vellum and used a PTI stamp on it.



























Underneath the calendar I used a cupcake holder that I snipped up to fit the base.

I just love these holders. The designs are so intricate and delicate that I just have to find places to use them.

It was well received by the recipient, so I am thrilled.

I just love to make useful goodies!


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Aubergines - nearly completed



Just a quick post to show you progress with this painting.

I have spent a couple more hours beyond this stage and just need to tweak it slightly and it will be finished.

I will post another picture later in the month. I am now working on an Arum lily study with a dark background. This is stressing me out, much to my tutors amusement!