Tim Holtz...

...Andy style.

Today was the day that my friend Lucy & I had been waiting for...a chance to play with lots of Tim Holtz products and to learn some techniques associated with his style. As neither of us 'do' messy, we went prepared with pinnys and gloves LOL

It was a fab day both weatherwise and playwise
We completed three projects and played too, trying out different effects and finishes
My LO isn't as grungy as perhaps 'Sir Tim' would do but this was more in keeping with my style and colour preference. The distressing ink pads used were Brushed corderoy, tea dye, and...oops can't remember but it was a yellowy browny colour LOL. Had a play with Tim's rubber stamps - love the sentiment ones but think it will be a while before I can justify the cost of acquiring some. A bit of border punching going on and the cameo thingie has been attacked with distress stickles.
This card was made from one of the pieces of embossed foil that I had inked by dabbing alcohol inks in caramel and espresso over the script embossing. Another Martha Stewart punch border and I added a bit of ribbon when I got home.
Andy showed us how the blending solution actually removes the colour from coloured foil. So one bit of blue foil embossed with a cuttlebug folder and then highlighted by removing some of the colour - and this is what I ended up with.
Now this has to be my fav piece of the day. A board card covered with TH Shabby Chic PPs from his vintage paper stack. A 2" grunge paper rose coloured with alcohol inks and highlighted with a matching distress stickles. A sentiment stamp with a domed glass element stuck over one of the words to finish it off.

The TH paper stacks are lovely, double sided, beautiful quality and I've got one LOL (I've also placed an order for the Retro version).

A super-duper day, and I'd love to do it all over again................

Look what I got...

...from the lovely Leigh



I understand that I have to list 7 crafty things that I have done and then pass the award on to some other crafty folk, so here we go...

1 - Despite being a real nunce with PCs I created this blog and have kept it going.
2 - I made my niece's wedding stationery.
3 - I introduced my niece to various crafts but most recently scrapbooking - and she is doing a fab job.
4 - I taught the ladies at my local crop how to make mini-albums.
5 - I have taken part in 4 CCs and will soon be doing my 5th.
6 - I have recently attended some classes to try some different craft techniques.
7 - I recently completed my first paid commission - a wedding card.

Now I think I will pass this on to Annette, Kristy, Paula, Winnie, Eleni and ffroggie.

First completed challenge...

...for the cybercrop.

Queenie Tree (Teresa) our Thimble leader for the coming CC set us a weekend challenge if we wanted to undertake it...create our very own workbox/treasure chest to store all the little goodies that get created in the run-up to and during the CC.

Well here is mine..........
It started from very humble beginnings - an empty washing tablet box.
The box was covered with sunbleached effect planking PP, some peel-off hinges were dulled down with ink, 7 gypsy drawer handles fixed to either end and some blooms.
The inside was lined with velvet paper to give it a plush feel (not the best of pics). Unfortunately, the velvet paper didn't stick very easily so I had to use my red-line DST...surprising how much it used - note to self: GET A LOAD MORE BEFORE THE CC!!!
The top was decorated with a Prima spray and some flowers punched from the velvet paper and silver cardstock.
Looking at it now you would not think it was a grotty washing tablet box about to head for the bin LOL

I'm pretty pleased with the finished item - just need to get a couple of velcro fasteners to attach to the lid and then it will be complete.............

Blog Candy...

...on a site I've found for digital images.



I love my Copic & Promarker pens but sometimes don't have the right image to colour-in. Today I found this freebie website which not only has lots of images and coloured examples but they are also giving away some blog candy. The site is Digital Doodling why not hop over and have a look...............

Happy Easter...

...Hot cross buns and choccy eggs to you all LOL

...don't worry, there are plenty to go around.
I also thought I should dress appropriately for the cybercrop over on UKS - so for today I have an Easter Greetings thimble c",)


Enjoy your Easter activities - whatever the weather.....................

23/24/25 April...

...I'll be playing Monopoly.

Well...........that's the theme of the next CC on UKS LOL

This time round I'm in team Thimble -
- not a piece of equipment I'm comfortable with...I think my Needlecraft teacher gave up all hope of me ever using one LOL

Sew...oops I mean So, it is countdown to the CC...wonder what we'll be getting up to in the pre-crop fun?????????????????????????

Do come and play too.............

Still not finished, but...

...here's a peak and a look at something else.

I still haven't finished the lovely envelope book that Margaret had us doing at the last Artbase crop - I wanted to put some "Tim" roses on the front but just haven't managed to get around to it...bad me. However, I thought I would give you a quick look at the cover to be going on with....
Something I have finished is a 6x6 pocket album based on an idea that Emma (Artbase) did as a 'make-n-take' at CHA.

The pages are all made from sheets of 12x12 PP (light CS quality) and folded to create pages with pockets for tags, hidden journalling and other bits-n-pieces.

The sheets of 12x12 are folded 3" down from the top and 3" up from the bottom which means you have an opening across the middle of the page which needs to be sealed. On the cover this was done with a strip of pearl card decorated with a strip of Martha Stewart Daisy border. On the inside pages this was achieved by a bit of matting. I have decorated the mats & tags with another MS punch set - the loopy round-the-page set.
Then a little bit of decorating and there you go.

A quick and easy little album made from 3 sheets of PP and some co-ordinating CS, a bit of ribbon, a few paper flowers, brads and some bling. Hope you like.............