FOR MUM

Managed to get the 2nd MUM card done for the order.

Can you remember a few posts ago when i said I would be using paper etc that I had for a while - well here is some of that paper.



The background swirl paper was KI Memories - that I am sure I got when I subscribed to a magazine. The dotty paper was bought from a local POUND shop - for - you guessed a £1.00. I did get 12 sheets of papers for a £1.00, but I have to say that the dotty paper was the best of the bunch.



To give the swirl paper a bit of 'life' I hand stitched on some of the swirls. The photo above shows you the stitching better.

I used HOTP Monograms that I covered with the dotty paper. I inked round the edges of the letters with an Anna Griffin Ink Pad, added some ribbon and mounted the letters on foam pads.

I like the card, but hubby thinks its a bit too green. Ever the critic he is!!!

'OH' BROTHER

UPDATED WITH PICTURE OF INSIDE - 12/3/08

Well I finally got round to starting the other card order.
I needed to get this one done first as its needed by the 21st of this month.



Now she asked for a birthday card for her brother but no other details!!!! So I hope she likes this!



I used HOTP papers and also HOTP Monograms (both of which I won in the Crafts Beautiful competition). I havent finished the inside yet but it will read HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Y O U - with the 'O' being used for the YOU - hope you know what I mean. So that it was I have to do tonight. And believe it or not - I AM HAPPY WITH THIS CARD lol!!

Edited 12/03/08
Just added this photo to show you the inside that I finished today. It has worked out really well!

SWAPPING STUFF

Finally finished my bookmark for the swap (my first)!!

Over on the Crafts Beautiful forum there is a bookmark swap going on and the deadline is the 18th March for them to be in. I know I have made mine early but with the other card order to start on and my daughters birthday card to finish I thought I better pull my finger out and get it done.

So here is a little sneaky peek at what I have made!



Now I must have done something right as even hubby likes it - if he doesnt like something I have made, he lets me know.



So I am pleased with the way it came out and I hope whoever gets it is also happy with it. So hopefully this will be in the post tomorrow and be on its way to Jules.

If you are wondering whats has happened to the photos, well I had a little play with the contrast and colour on them and I really like the way they have turned out.

ALTERED NOTEPAD

BEFORE - very pink (well the cover) notebook from TESCO.
This book holds a list of all my fav blogs, quotes, sketches, doodles etc.



And the finished product!



I started this today - as in cutting the paper for it and that was it - but finally finished tonight.

Couldnt decide what to put on the cover and then the flowers that I got in my prize stash came to mind! I also used some paper twine that I got from IKEA ages ago and threaded it through the flowers and the buttons.



I have added an envelope on the inside to store bits and bobs (more bits than bobs as its not that big) and covered it in paper and inked the edges like I have done with the front cover. The back cover is in the same paper.

I am really happy with this because its for me and nobody else! The only problem I had was after I stuck the paper on the front I realised that I covered the holes and I had to sit and cut out each one (quite annoying it was). But I'm happy now!!!

ALTERED FRAME

I couldnt go anywhere today as my eldest has been running a very high temp, and the little one has been her nurse.
So seeing that I couldnt take the kids out i thought I would do something 'CRAFTY'.
So here it is - I found this old frame that used to be in my bedroom when it was green and cream (sooo glad i changed it) and have been dying to do something with it.



So here is my latest creation. Ta Da!!!!



The frame measures 15in x 11in. I used HOTP papers that I got in my prize stash and happily ripped strips and edged them using my brown chalk ink pad. I used just ordinary PVA glue and set about layering the strips on the frame (very messy). I then went over it with the brown chalk pad again to really age it and voila here it is. I will either use a clear varnish on it or PVA to seal it.



I have a picture in my mind about which photo will go in it - its one i took of my eldest a couple of days ago. So when I have that blown up, changed from colour to sepia and printed - it has a nice new home to sit in and will have pride of place in my dining room.

JUST BEX CHALLENGE 9
A PRESENT
You have a massive choice here - we would like you to make a presetn for someone - anyone!
Well i did - for me!!!!

JUST BEX CHALLENGE

MONOCHROME MADNESS

Here is another Just Bex Challenge card.
The challenge was:- We want you to create a card or layout using just one colour...you can use as many variations of that colour as you want but no other colour is allowed.



I stuck with a very simple card layout and the colour (have you guessed yet) BROWN. I am not really happy with it, I dont know if the blooms are too big, or the colour of card I have used is wrong but something isnt right.



If I get chance I may have another go with this one - but it really depends on the kids as they are now off school for the week. I just hope this nice weather holds up, so I can get out and do something fun with them.

BLUE & BROWN

Just loving the colour combo of this card. Yes I know its the same layout as last nights card but i liked it.

I was so tempted again to stamp on some ribbon - not the sheer ribbon as on card - but i have some blue ribbon that is an excellent match to the blue card - but I didnt want to ruin it as i dont have a lot of it left.



The papers are again by HOTP Bohemian Sarapapers, the blue card by DCWV and the enjoy is Studio G Stamp, the ribbon from my LCS and the flower once again made using card art. I also used a white gel pen to highlight some areas of the background paper.

JUST ONE CARD

Finally got round to making A card tonight. I was late at getting my craft stuff out and its now 10.30 - need to get to bed as I have the dentist first thing in the morning after I drop the kids at school. Caitlyn also has to be at school a bit earlier as she is going to one of the main high schools to see the musical BUGSY MALONE.



I like this card - but I am not happy with the thanks bit on the ribbon. I stamped it using a brown inkpad but it has turned a red colour. The thing is it worked!!!! I didnt think that it would - only gutted now as its the wrong colour.



The papers are from my prize stash and they are the Bohemian Sarapapers which are lush, lush, lush - it was very hard to cut them (but I cant sit and stroke them forever can I).

The flower was made using some card art shapes, that I covered with paper and inked the edges then added the brad. The 'stem' of the flower was made using some paper string that I got at IKEA years ago.

FEW CARDS

Made these cards this weekend using some of my scrummy competition prize stash.



I used my computer to print the text and then layered it onto brown card stock. I also used my new brads and flowers.

This card I used some DCWV Mat Stack and stamped over it using my Studio G Stamps. I cased the idea from here http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/page/2/ go to Jan 25th post.



Just a closer look to see the stamping

Hope you have all had a good weekend. The weather has been great here - we have had lovely sunshine and it has also been quite warm. Kids have had fun playing out, dogs have had a manic time down the fields and I got quite a lot of stuff done.

So hope to be back here tomorrow with some more cards.