tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23073589715630071782024-02-22T07:06:48.257+00:00Mole's CreationsMolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-60968429591771849592013-04-16T15:28:00.000+01:002013-04-16T15:28:03.831+01:00Die Magic part 2!Thanks you everyone for visiting and leaving kind comments. And for being so understanding regarding my aaaaaaaaaaargh! blog nightmare!<br />
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<strong>So, without further ado, here is part 2!</strong><br />
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4) If the shoe fits …..
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<a href="http://www.sizzix.com/idea/13763/ballroom-slipper" target="_blank">Slipper</a> from Sizzix gallery....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1K6WmmGqiMOTLmL8dd1yNuFFzCWwN2kyQuz26yta449FhHzjU87A_JnRMDbJ3D1DFxDoEMsc-AErgKfTG-f9Bgn1DXibydufdHQ30komObgZoM5o4fU4cGjIkmdWkJkbbOnqRzJCqN26/s1600/Slipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1K6WmmGqiMOTLmL8dd1yNuFFzCWwN2kyQuz26yta449FhHzjU87A_JnRMDbJ3D1DFxDoEMsc-AErgKfTG-f9Bgn1DXibydufdHQ30komObgZoM5o4fU4cGjIkmdWkJkbbOnqRzJCqN26/s320/Slipper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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OK, so it’s another way to use a flower, but I’ll confess this photo really caught my eye. You could adapt this and create a flower from fabric and use it to jazz up a ‘real’ pair of shoes from your wardrobe. It might work particularly well with ballet pump-style footwear … you could create colourways to match the outfit of the day.<br />
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5) Don’t be like me, get your dies onto your scrapbook pages!<br />
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<a href="http://www.sizzix.com/idea/2049/sparkle-scrapbook-page" target="_blank">Scrapbook page</a><br />
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The Sizzix site has lots of project ideas – as indeed, do many of the other die manufacturers. I like the way this LO has employed a number of dies – from the scallop-style frame and the bold snowflake, to the background the for title, to the stars. <br />
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6) Keep it simple ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw88Qlkj7Mulc69uXLt1XZYCUv7VvzvqM-EhYcqPZzf-NFVpMty2f1aTJrl1Q7lOHjDfYnLplIOLUydFf5cnJTxNR8DU4sqMqec__1DggF41YUMLOdA9CR-4shkBqTzFVQA0o905sgYA-J/s1600/Card+die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw88Qlkj7Mulc69uXLt1XZYCUv7VvzvqM-EhYcqPZzf-NFVpMty2f1aTJrl1Q7lOHjDfYnLplIOLUydFf5cnJTxNR8DU4sqMqec__1DggF41YUMLOdA9CR-4shkBqTzFVQA0o905sgYA-J/s320/Card+die.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love the simplicity of this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/188869778095403924/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> card. It uses two dies – a ‘labels’ die (I think this might be a Nestability) and a butterfly die. There are lots of lovely butterfly dies out there and they’re really versatile. Try Googling for ideas if there’s a die in your collection that you think might have more potential than you’ve yet discovered – you might be surprised (and inspired) by what you find.<br />
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7) Deck the halls<br />
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Ok, so it’s not Christmas, but check out <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/217017275766329915/" target="_blank">THIS</a> lovely idea for a Christmas wreath. All you need is some empty drinks cans (please cut and prepare with care) and a leaf die (or several). You could also use Tim Holz alcohol inks or similar to colour the leaves.<br />
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8) What’s the background?<br />
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No links for this one. Just some suggestions for what you use to cut your die shapes from. Cardstock, both plain and patterned, are obvious first choices. But what about using a page from an old map or atlas … sheet music … a recipe book … maths text book … foreign language book … calendar … holiday brochure … newspaper or magazine advert … telephone directory … children’s book. Depending on what you use, the result can look quite different!<br />
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9) Am I green with envy?<br />
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Yes, of course I am because I love all <a href="http://yoursartfully.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Linda Brown's</a> creations! If you take a look at her blog, you can see some of the lovely things she creates with, among other things, a range of dies. I love the way she draws on colour and texture and shape in her work.<br />
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10) And finally …..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsP_3xsAPv1DBXAvorTL7s_4Xn0LVuQObl9RdWui8WKgMFTchNDri-cYBIjW8u7RHktnLIxOZIA6TXNt0_REgqtEN6j1Hjb9majbStmHtcAMqXNloytW5PLfsrcs90ngPONHOEJB9tNpfU/s1600/Acetate_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsP_3xsAPv1DBXAvorTL7s_4Xn0LVuQObl9RdWui8WKgMFTchNDri-cYBIjW8u7RHktnLIxOZIA6TXNt0_REgqtEN6j1Hjb9majbStmHtcAMqXNloytW5PLfsrcs90ngPONHOEJB9tNpfU/s1600/Acetate_1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Yes! Here’s one I made earlier. I call this my acetate sandwich card. To make this, I ran two pieces of cardstock/paper, one a plain and one patterned, through my die cutter at the same time (with a Nestabilities Labels One die). You can find the details of how I made it a little further down my blog. Just scroll down past Tallis and the ‘censored’ item to find out more!<br />
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I hope you feel inspired to make more of your dies and that your creative juices are flowing. I know that mine are, after putting this lot together!<br />
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Thanks for staying with me so long - if you would like to be in with a chance of winning a crafty goodie bag, please leave a comment below with your UKS name too (if that's where you're 'from' and I'll make a random selection at the weekend. <br />
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Bye!<br />
Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-39190781602922935362013-04-15T00:01:00.000+01:002013-04-16T15:28:44.510+01:00UK Scrappers - blog hop!<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the UKS Spring BlogHop! </span></b></h4>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You may have come to me from the lovely MiniOwner at </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b><b><a href="http://miniowner.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #ff4400; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://miniowner.blogspot.com/</a> </b></h4>
<b>Thanks very much for stopping by!</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />If you lose your way, or have dropped in on me directly and want to follow the hop, you can see the full list with all the links here<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><a href="http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=339546" rel="nofollow" style="color: #22229c;" target="_blank">http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/boards/...d.php?t=339546</a></b>)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><span style="color: purple;">First, an apology.</span><br />
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Due to computer gremlins, I've not been able to post up my completed blog for the hop. What you see below is just the start!<br />
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But I didn't want to miss out, so here's the deal. Now that you're here, have a read and leave a comment below. And make a note in your diary is you're so inclined, to pay another visit later in the week, when I plan to post the full blog.<br />
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If you come back again and leave (another!) comment, I'll enter you in a draw for a random goody bag.<br />
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So ... here's chapter 1 of ...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: large;">IT'S A KIND OF (DIE) MAGIC</span></b><br />
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When I first started crafting, I don’t think die cutting for the amateur had even been invented (yes, I probably am that old!).</div>
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These days, there are lots of bits of kit out there to choose from – and lots of prices, too. </div>
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But whether you’re a Spellbinders devotee, a CraftRobo wizard, a Cuttlebugger (I hope that’s not rude!) or a lover of the good old big red original Sizzix machine, the great thing is that that there are zillions of dies out there.</div>
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And for every die, there’s a myriad of uses. And yes, I think they’re just magic!</div>
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Depending on the die type, they can cut and/or emboss paper, card, material metal, chipboard, vinyl, satin, felt and a whole host of other materials.</div>
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For example, I’ve cut snowflakes out of flattened Diet Coke cans and used them as Christmas decorations. I’ve cut and embossed shapes from tomato puree tubes (have you seen the fabulous colours these tubes are inside?!). I’ve cut flowers from felt and stuck them on shop-branded paper-bags-with-handles (to hide the logos and other retailer gubbins).</div>
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I’ve made tin can roses from the lovely Tim Holz Tattered Florals die, and from the same die, produced felt floral brooches. I’ve cut treble clefs and musical notes to help decorate my husband’s (now defunct) music shop, from metals, mirror card and old sheet music.</div>
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Of course, I’ve used all sorts of dies in my card making, most recently, a bird on a branch die from Marianne’s Designs.</div>
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Strangely, although I originally purchased my die cutting kit for scrapbooking, I’ve hardly used it in this way – most of my creations seem to be in the card making category. But I have used dies to create lettering, frames and perfect shapes (my hand cutting looks more like a 5-year-old’s efforts than a ‘mature’ adult’s!) for my layouts.</div>
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I want to encourage us all to unlock the creativity that’s lurking in your dies and think anew about how we can use them in our layouts, cards and other craft projects. I’ve found some great ideas out there in cyberspace which I’d like to share with you. I hope they inspire you – if they do, I’d love to see the results!</div>
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So. Here are 10 things you could do with different dies, a bit of space on your craft desk, and a bit of time to play!</div>
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1) A flower die: cut your shape from card and set aside the blossom. Use what’s left as a stencil! You could sponge ink or chalk, rub over with pan pastels or spray with Glimmer Mist. This is a great way of making a background for a card or scrapbook layout. <br />
See here for an example: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=wJ3fPPIi-SY&feature=endscreen">http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=wJ3fPPIi-SY&feature=endscreen</a> <br />
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Of course, this could work with all kinds of shapes, including abstract ones.</div>
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2) Get in touch with your inner blossom … and get sewing: </div>
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<a href="http://www.sewcando.com/2010/07/how-to-make-die-cut-fabric-flowers.html">http://www.sewcando.com/2010/07/how-to-make-die-cut-fabric-flowers.html</a><br />
I think<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2307358971563007178" name="_GoBack"></a> these would look great on a layout or a card. Follow the link for the 'how to' instructions</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizACsEjcmH0ngnpXVfFpqHRAZ2e4WOCJjYLzqycFCRD3AtGclcaJubWTaSn-7AXu1FP7jYHyC5Eb8un0mGkhGw_lz87vnKLbutNIGCqHWorgC8tBfGF1Ssg6w0KDkGXB_T-6wL36brSEZQ/s1600/flower+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizACsEjcmH0ngnpXVfFpqHRAZ2e4WOCJjYLzqycFCRD3AtGclcaJubWTaSn-7AXu1FP7jYHyC5Eb8un0mGkhGw_lz87vnKLbutNIGCqHWorgC8tBfGF1Ssg6w0KDkGXB_T-6wL36brSEZQ/s320/flower+brooch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3) Frame something!<br />
On a layout …. thanks MiniOwner!</div>
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Or on a card ….</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What's the betting the flower accent is also die cut!? This fab card was created by the clever Dawn McVey, and you can check out more of her work here:</span></div>
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<a href="http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/" target="_blank">dawnmcvey.typepad.com</a></div>
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<b>DON'T FORGET TO RETURN TO MOLE'S MUSINGS IN A COUPLE OF DAYS TIME TO READ THE REST AND ENTER THE DRAW FOR THE CRAFTY GOODY BAG!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>So now, all you need to do now is leave me a comment<br />
before you hop on over to Nabview's blog:<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><a href="http://notesonpaper.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://notesonpaper.blogspot.com/</a> </b></span></div>
Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-72340303653537471212013-01-23T11:04:00.003+00:002013-01-23T11:04:56.780+00:00Not much craft but lots of snow!OK. So I will confess to having done little in the way of crafting this year. It's not that I have no inclination: more that I've not had much time, what with all the other stuff that's been going on.<br />
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For example .... being involved in a funeral service for a close family friend ... working from home courtesy of the poor weather which seems to result in putting in even longer hours than would be the case if I were in the office ... dog walking ... rehearsing with the choir .... reading ... watching telly ... doing the housework ...<br />
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In other words, the usual stuff of life!<br />
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So rather than share any crafty pix (I did make a couple of 'with sympathy' style cards but didn't take any photos ...) I shall instead show you a couple of images of Tallis enjoying the snow.<br />
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Here you go!<br />
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Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-54769500174301417722012-10-09T19:17:00.000+01:002012-10-09T19:17:05.657+01:00Warning - censored material!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sorry, but I just couldn't resist making this layout.<br />
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Our Hungarian Vizsla, Tok, is a past master at the art of chill and he likes nothing better than to sprawl on his back, legs (and everything else!) akimbo.I have quite a few photos of him proving that he is 'all dog', and the mischievous streak in me meant that having a bit of fun with one of the photos was going to be irresistible.<br />
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The result was this (slightly wonky) photo. I promise it's straight in real life.<br />
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The background cardstock is plain Bazzil. I randomly sprayed Glimmer Mists and Cosmic Shimmer around the page. Using a stiff paintbrush and a little Cosmic Shimmer I splattered some paint in a few places. Tim Holz's Distressed Ink (Crushed Olive) was used to distress the edges, and a lovely alpha stamp I have (there's no name on it so not sure of its maker) provides a little more random interest.<br />
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I also tried stamping with some different shaped bottle tops which you can only see if you look closely. And I challenged myself to use a plastic food tray in some way - it had a really interesting ridged pattern on the bottom, so I inked this up and stamped with it a few times. It didn't have the effect I thought it would but you can see some on the ink if you inspect the page closely.<br />
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The photo is mounted on an odd piece of cream cardstock which I've distressed and edged with a brown ColourBox Catseye inkpad. RicRac and a piece of chopped ribbon are stuck along the top along with a piece of baker's twine.<br />
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Ages ago, I was given some green metal letters with brad hooks and I've never got round to using them. Until today! Hence to hanging DOG, secured with bright green metallic brads.<br />
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The 3-d mounted heart is hand-drawn and cut from a piece of spare animal footprint (may be Karen Foster?) from my leftovers stash, edged with the brown inkpad. Another ribbon scrap is tucked behind the shape and some gems from my bling collection added to give more interest.<br />
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The various letters come from my alpha collection. I've used three strips of Washi tape behind the heart and the string of bling is cut from a charity shop necklace I bought for 20p. The flower is from my collection so no idea of provenance ... and the finishing touch? The dymo tape and glass bead star! Oh, and a little hand journalling around the heart.<br />
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Hope it makes you smile, like it does me!Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-73568853389495815482012-09-16T17:21:00.001+01:002012-09-24T15:12:15.004+01:00A card at last!Having promised some photos of my recent card creations, I realised that my husband had sent most of them off for birthdays / get well soon occasions. I suppose I can't complain - I don't make the cards just to keep them here LOL.<br />
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However, there was still one in the newly-created pile, so here it is:<br />
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Not the best photo,I'm afraid, but I think you get the picture (no pun intended, groan). I used a green cardstock as my base, and then used a Spellbinders Labels One die (source - <a href="http://www.craftsulove.co.uk/" target="_blank">CraftsULove</a> to cut an aperture from this and a piece of flowery card (cut at the same time). Please note that is NOT a flying suacer reflectated in the acetate!!!!!<br />
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First, I stuck the piece of acetate onto the card base to make the see-through window. Then I stretched the ribbon (purchased from <a href="http://www.paperarts.co.uk/" target="_blank">Paper Arts</a>) across the acetate and stock down at either end.<br />
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Then I stuck the flowery card in place on top of the card base (having inked the edges first), being careful to position it in the right place over the window.<br />
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The flowers and bling came from my stash (mostly obtained from Paper Arts and charity shops!). You can't see it in the photo, but I also used a Viva Perlen Pen (about like Perfect Pearls) from <a href="http://www.thestampattic.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Stamp Attic</a> to dot over the flower centres on the patterned card.<br />
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I realised that due to my wonky positioning, there was a thin, crooked line of green base cardstock showing on the spine of the card. So I added some iridescent glitter down the fold and then stuck a length of leafy ribbon (Paper Arts again) on top to disguise my cack-handedness.<br />
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The birthday wishes sentiment disc was a cover gift from one of my craft magazines.<br />
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Back when I've managed to make some more cards to show you.<br />
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And here's another photo from my new camera to finish off with .... the focus is Scampy, our old lady puss cat (c 24 years old, we think). Not edited this image yet, but she's still gorgeous!<br />
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<br />Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-37547393119120536332012-09-15T19:25:00.001+01:002012-09-15T19:25:49.763+01:00A new toy to play withSadly, my lovely aunt passed away earlier this year. She had suffered in her last years with dementia, and had been in a care home, something that was hard to deal with. It was almost a relief when I received the call from the home to say that she had slipped away.<br />
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I was deeply touched to learn that she had left me a small gift in her will, and wanted to buy something with it that I would make much use of and of which she would (I hope!) approve.<br />
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And so I bought myself a new camera - for those of you in the 'know', it's a Nikon D3100. The challenge now is to get to know how to use it properly - to navigate away from the safe waters of 'auto', and try the very scary manual settings!<br />
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Here's one of the very first shots I took ...<br />
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This is Tok, our Hungarian Vizsla, lying in the sun on our very weedy patio. I confess I rather liked the way the dandelion leaf was flopping over his nose!<br />
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The second shot shows the interior of the parish church in Cirencester (St Mary's, I think it is called). I've been in the church before to take part in choir 'come and sing' days, but I've never really stopped to take a proper look inside (too busy concentrating on complicated music scores!). The thing that struck m was the very spacious and open interior.<br />
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And finally, here's Tallis, enjoying one of his favourite things - a hide chew. I was rather pleased to get him 'mid gnaw' and to capture the whiteness of his fangs.</div>
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That's it for now, there a re lots more pix of course, but I will save (some) of them for another time. And when the battery has changer in my point-and-shoot camera, I'm planning on taking some photos of some of my recent card creations, with a view to uploading them here. Of course, I could use my new camera, but the downloading procedure is a lot more complicated as it involved cables and all sorts. I'm going for the easy route - plug in the memory card and away we go!</div>
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Thanks for stopping by ......</div>
<br />Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-54474067409992868832012-06-05T16:47:00.000+01:002012-06-06T13:01:20.316+01:00Here's one I made earlier ....If you've read any of my earlier posts, you'll know I have been experiencing a little connectivity difficulty (ie no internet connection) which has somewhat impacted on my ability to keep my blog up to date.<br />
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It was a great relief to get back on line, and I can now share another layout I made a few weeks back - back couldn't post up for you.<br />
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So, here is one of our furries, Willow, all wrapped up in a fleecy pet throw (don't think she's quite sure whether to relax or be afronted that Mr Mole has packaged her up like this!).<br />
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The papers came from my scraps stash, dittor the ribbons. I hand drew the heart and inked the edges. Obe flower is from a 'proper' pack of blooms. the daisy style one is cut from patterned paper and has an acrylic circle stuck in the middle for depth and shine.<br />
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The blings and card flags come from <a href="http://www.paperarts.co.uk/" target="_blank">PaperArts</a> (as do, I suspect, the majority, if not all of the papers, alphas and cardstock).<br />
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You can see from the close-up that I've used staples to affix my ribbons, and double-side pads to give the heart dimension. Another acrylic sticky circle gives the flower centre a focus.<br />
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And here, you can see a little of what I did with the paper strips - some are rolled into tubes and stuck down, while I simply zig-zagged another strip and stuck either end down. Again, this all helps add a 3D feel to the page.</div>
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Hope you like the results .....</div>
<br />Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-72657323201837539602012-06-01T20:11:00.000+01:002012-06-01T20:11:44.346+01:00Missing what you haven't gotIt's true that sometimes we don't appreciate what we've got until we haven't got it any more. For the last few weeks my home internet service has been ropey at best, and mostly non-existent. And yes, I missed having it there. Apart from not being able to look things up for Mr Mole's work, checking emails and of course, visiting UK Scrappers, it meant I couldn't update my blog either.<br />
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I'm hoping to put that right now that the problem has, fingers crossed, been fixed.<br />
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So, some crafty-type pix!<br />
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This is our handsome black cat, Oscar, snapped on the steps of our patio. I was quite brave in cropping the photo which is one of my favourites of him. and a little different from his usual photo pose.<br />
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The papers and card stock come from a bargain pack from Sue at <a href="http://www.paperarts.co.uk/" target="_blank">PaperArts</a>. The oddments of ribbons, lace, jewels, flowers etc came from my existing stash. The more solid embellishments are bits of earrings which I have either only one of, or don't wear any more. The wooden bird (top right) and the punch which shaped the title tag again, came from PaperArts.<br />
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You can see (above) more of the wooden bird detail, and where I've added some bling.</div>
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I inked the edges of the label cut-out and used some sparkly letters for the title. I've used sticky fixers to raise the title up a little.The lace (donated by my mum!) is sewn into a flower and although you can't see it properly, has a button in the centre, complete with a strand of embroidery floss. There's also a paper flower created with a Marianne Createables die, purchased from, yes, you've guessed, PaperArts.</div>
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You can see a bit more detail om the last two photos - they show the flower, raffia (from a gift we received .. the packaging was almost as exciting to my inner crafter as the contents!) and the two earrings.</div>
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Hope you enjoyed taking a closer look.</div>
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<br />Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-20672888333078279472012-04-10T13:03:00.001+01:002012-04-10T13:23:20.079+01:00Been shopping!Nothing new there,<em> </em>I hear you cry. And that is true enough .... like many of us, I'm always happy to go shopping (finances permitting, of course). In fact, every three-four weeks I visit my local scrapbooking emporium otherwise known as <a href="http://www.paperarts.co.uk/" target="_blank">PaperArts</a> just to prove my continued willingness to open my purse and flex my credit card.<br />
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If you've not been (and you live close enough to pay a visit) then shame on you! It's a lovely shop with lovely stock, and the staff are lovely too. Every time I go there, there's something new to look at /stroke, and this weekend was no exception. (It is on the outskirts of Stroud, if you're interested, free parking and everyfink!)<br />
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I came away with various bits and pieces, including a pack of eight sponge daubers (I use these LOADS), some gorgeous cardstock (too lovely to actually use, I fear, but sooooooo strokeable) and a bargain pack of papers, card and embellishments in bright yellow/spring type colours. And a box of Kars wooden embellishments like this:</div>
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There are loads of wooden shapes in the range but these seemed to me to be the most versatile.<br />
To my shame, I can't remember the manufacturers of the paper I bought, but trust me, it was lush!<br />
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So. If you have some pennies burning a hole in your pocket then get thee to Sue's store in Stroud .... and if it's too far away, I'm sure she'd be happy for me to say she does speedy mail order.<br />
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Meanwhile,<em> </em>a<em> </em>big thank you to Ifa who sent me a prize as part of the recent blog hop (details on my previous blog posting). I rarely win stuff, so it was delight to learn my name had been drawn out of the virtual hat. Cheers, sweetie!<br />
<br />Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-48985347690674512742012-03-31T18:15:00.001+01:002012-03-31T18:15:15.166+01:00Ooh look! A blog hop!Do you enjoy checking out the creations your fellow crafters have made? And discovering new ideas and techniques? Then get hopping along - the link to the blog-hop home page is here:<br />
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<a href="http://itsacreativeworld.typepad.com/its_a_creative_world/2012/03/welcome-to-the-blog-hop.html">http://itsacreativeworld.typepad.com/its_a_creative_world/2012/03/welcome-to-the-blog-hop.html</a>
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I might be back later to see if you've been tempted .....Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-69973083186267058662012-03-18T18:46:00.000+00:002012-03-18T18:46:47.453+00:00Card fest - part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj762Fg2YFDYWm0izW1DFc_sLOU27KmkeN_jbaLGIpByUJVoD-Wh-gDxMJpidNt7PDnEsU2gPgc5Q6BqQq3NxkWUt7DymEph9SRBSlIwiZ3s-s0t1aEMj3DJfUWAfutY_kUb5qtn9GMq-Cv/s1600/card+emboss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj762Fg2YFDYWm0izW1DFc_sLOU27KmkeN_jbaLGIpByUJVoD-Wh-gDxMJpidNt7PDnEsU2gPgc5Q6BqQq3NxkWUt7DymEph9SRBSlIwiZ3s-s0t1aEMj3DJfUWAfutY_kUb5qtn9GMq-Cv/s320/card+emboss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Next instalment as promised .... starting with free papers.and ribbons from my stash, a flower cut using my Sizzix Big Shot, a Tim Holz tattered floral die and the plain side of a coke can. Embossing with a Cuttlebug folder.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG9LjjXfdCbpEiaS6a1VyIJ9PDbbLoOrBFaWFvToWvwo4KcQPe3YHacTQLNmSisOBLc3VnVN3DX2lp_WVi09L64KK9yJ_8WbffrxvHLJGXe_VmxZ3PO3wzi8hPiA3k2PBhiEU2dHp86Gg/s1600/cardflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG9LjjXfdCbpEiaS6a1VyIJ9PDbbLoOrBFaWFvToWvwo4KcQPe3YHacTQLNmSisOBLc3VnVN3DX2lp_WVi09L64KK9yJ_8WbffrxvHLJGXe_VmxZ3PO3wzi8hPiA3k2PBhiEU2dHp86Gg/s320/cardflowers.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Free papers, flowers and bling from stash, plenty of foam fixers to give extra dimension, of course!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1YQJbJZO3maiwnj_oPNKnNyjy5g_8AZNhuIWgtm4nUd52EtZ7FV01ktI1lRDNVCDqn7eiOtIg3NSVGKGp93WAJfLcwr_0eSzhPfo6Ppn9csFnJ97Uus71XoZgtxrkQwtgwhj2fMq6miU/s1600/getwell+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1YQJbJZO3maiwnj_oPNKnNyjy5g_8AZNhuIWgtm4nUd52EtZ7FV01ktI1lRDNVCDqn7eiOtIg3NSVGKGp93WAJfLcwr_0eSzhPfo6Ppn9csFnJ97Uus71XoZgtxrkQwtgwhj2fMq6miU/s200/getwell+card.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More free papers and supplies from stash. Yellow rose made with a Marianne's Creatables die.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div> And more free papers, stash etc ........<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> This one got turned into a mother's day card for my lovely mum. Used more free papers, flowers and ribbons from stash, along with gems, and two heads from wired roses (wires cut off). I used letters from a Basic Grey monogram sheet to spell out 'Mum'.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVspViaF4QzLRzHb-MOrVJpONCzFMufpAMedPFXbZK7RmNPwUHHwlQ3zY3qUJyEWCATHszzRkI5nCtNZ5KPMHy_aqAJWWWjZXSkfS06FyDuIGwzLjkd6qgaOoLr-INerwgmMmL4u4v9t2/s1600/needs+words2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVspViaF4QzLRzHb-MOrVJpONCzFMufpAMedPFXbZK7RmNPwUHHwlQ3zY3qUJyEWCATHszzRkI5nCtNZ5KPMHy_aqAJWWWjZXSkfS06FyDuIGwzLjkd6qgaOoLr-INerwgmMmL4u4v9t2/s200/needs+words2.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, more free papers etc. Awaiting a sentiment. Probably will be a 'thinking of you' printed out on the PC.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>And last (thanks for sticking with me), there's even more free paper in use, and roses made from the Marianne's die mentioned earlier. The leaves are from a length of ribbon.<br />
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Thanks for looking!Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-55597779850627372222012-03-12T17:35:00.001+00:002012-03-12T17:35:37.082+00:00Bit of a card-fest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2pqtkVGRx62qfi-82VewvgwXhpUedkZtA6mBz7uyUuFvNuqxteFwftDjh6_BBAazj8HEl4OWnmIsgtKciCfBV2tax1IzUO_EPfNTcvxlM-uiPAC4WsHglnotBqhuQ7-LKs50culVPj_m/s1600/bird+and+flower+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2pqtkVGRx62qfi-82VewvgwXhpUedkZtA6mBz7uyUuFvNuqxteFwftDjh6_BBAazj8HEl4OWnmIsgtKciCfBV2tax1IzUO_EPfNTcvxlM-uiPAC4WsHglnotBqhuQ7-LKs50culVPj_m/s320/bird+and+flower+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So, over recent weeks I have tried to replenish my dwindling stock of hand-made cards. The need to do so has been made even more acute by the fact my mum says she wants to buy some of my creations. Ooops, I thought, better get creating, then. I won't show them to you all in one go lest you fall asleep zzzzzzzzzzzz.<br />
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Card one features... papers that came free with a craft magazine, a blossom from a charity shop flower bunch, ribbons from my stash, a section of 'Just the Edge' (Bazzil, I think, or Basic Grey?), two lengths of baker's twine and a die cut bird (Marianne's Creatables and the inside of a tomato puree tube!), and a computer-generated sentiment made in Word and printed onto scrap card stock.<br />
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Card two features the same die but uses a patterned card stock instead. The papers are freebies from a magazine, the ribbon and gems are from my stash and the label-style sentiment was made using Word, plain card and a fab new punch from EK Success. I inked the edges with a cat's eye stamp in blue.<br />
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Card three (last one for now) uses yet more free papers, ribbon ans blingy gems from my stash, a length of 'Just the Edge', a strip of Washi Tape (first time I've actually dared use any of my latest purchase!), some Prima-style blooms and a large flower from one of the charity shop hauls. Centrepiece of the flower is a button from a collection of odd buttons given to me by my mum.<br />
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Hope you like this trio. Back another day with some more.Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-37517838225799582722012-02-28T15:56:00.000+00:002012-02-28T15:56:48.629+00:00I love poppies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpisQFQfr4QCqVdUbchIl-e6Z_X_Pg-Z9wCxu2moqoOggGcqP2JUxYy_wBdSaWAw8Bwcmfx6eim7Xu83-DdpoNMASa2iPipNnMivlvnAJUEKO6EjUhCdOD0KXpZVjV1hB5uDVtzAAQn3V/s1600/Poppies+paint+chip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpisQFQfr4QCqVdUbchIl-e6Z_X_Pg-Z9wCxu2moqoOggGcqP2JUxYy_wBdSaWAw8Bwcmfx6eim7Xu83-DdpoNMASa2iPipNnMivlvnAJUEKO6EjUhCdOD0KXpZVjV1hB5uDVtzAAQn3V/s320/Poppies+paint+chip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a grey day like today, what better than a field of poppies to bring a bit of colour into our lives? I'm not claiming this is some amazing page: rather, I was simply wanting to show I'd followed one of the excellent tutorials from www.digitalscrapper.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are into digi scrapping and want to learn some great tips for getting the best from Photoshop Elements then you must sign up for this site. The brilliant thing is that the tuts are free, and get sent out each week. You can also sign up to some great classes. too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This particular tut was all about using paint chips - how to create them and use rules and grids and all sorts of stuff I've never really explored before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Go on, I dare you to join up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-24730576222079279752012-02-05T18:14:00.000+00:002012-02-05T18:14:45.033+00:00A get well card ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxeFIZjz9pk01wghOyzOziFm6RJT7Ju67kmbOALqstTd2xzrCMn_CsbfNVXc90k9keC77PU9oxlyu-3uMoLoQ7P32dN12mw5fW4fIOonIa8FUAf-8nMu0QlAQDpGST8Qe-JcHrU4H5Do0/s1600/Get+well+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxeFIZjz9pk01wghOyzOziFm6RJT7Ju67kmbOALqstTd2xzrCMn_CsbfNVXc90k9keC77PU9oxlyu-3uMoLoQ7P32dN12mw5fW4fIOonIa8FUAf-8nMu0QlAQDpGST8Qe-JcHrU4H5Do0/s320/Get+well+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Not only did I actually make card the other day, I also remembered to take a photo of my creation. I used some free papers that came with a craft mag, not the flimsy shiny type that are no use to man nor beast, but the better quality, matt finish papers. I also got my Spellbinder dies out and a scrap of ribbon. The sentiment was simply printed out on card with a little help from my computer and trimmed deliberately on the skew-wiff (straight lines and 90 degree angles are not my strong point!). Add a few blooms and bling for the flower centres and all was done.Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-18132977016077704932012-02-01T13:25:00.000+00:002012-02-01T13:25:17.603+00:00Digi doubleI have managed to catch up with my digi Circle Journal entries and amazingly, met the final deadline in spite of all my hiccoughs on the way. The first is Cod Wars!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESVISfTlKEhHMZ4iHs3zKC8Hz7a-TV6ScD6uKUisbSPFcNx6gGZkK7I-HS4c0qKzvtUqEpSyJhijs6plfprhb93H_6A0avuXARTQvSChO9eG0UwVMwIlNL537cvVEwwD9T0Y2PKTWtg5j/s1600/Cod+wars+sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESVISfTlKEhHMZ4iHs3zKC8Hz7a-TV6ScD6uKUisbSPFcNx6gGZkK7I-HS4c0qKzvtUqEpSyJhijs6plfprhb93H_6A0avuXARTQvSChO9eG0UwVMwIlNL537cvVEwwD9T0Y2PKTWtg5j/s320/Cod+wars+sml.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This was for a 'Year of my birth' entry and was a challenge as some of the topics I'd normally have chosen for this theme had already been used by other digi scrappers - and I wanted to make sure my page was different. I browsed around the website and looked for the defining events of the year in question ... and my fancy was tickled by cod!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLqAtjmhJRJLvPYVm_CvtxuIrxome3hk4pdbMP7F21JV6xPab63NdXF7Na72J8hNigTEvHWMJ4QROKUaeNHdnL2ZjSu5ixktgdkBtrRrZq03s03kq_8SW3gTsM5HMwCVNoeTIVLeYtRbq/s1600/Home+copy+sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLqAtjmhJRJLvPYVm_CvtxuIrxome3hk4pdbMP7F21JV6xPab63NdXF7Na72J8hNigTEvHWMJ4QROKUaeNHdnL2ZjSu5ixktgdkBtrRrZq03s03kq_8SW3gTsM5HMwCVNoeTIVLeYtRbq/s320/Home+copy+sml.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The final CJ was all about 'my home town' (or 'why should I visit yours!). I live in a very small village but we're blessed with lovely walks, scenery, valleys , sunsets and all-sorts, so I thought I could create a page that celebrated all this.<br />
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I've had a great time taking part in the CJ. Maybe next time, we should do a digi round-robin scraplift theme! Any takers?Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-42180461167467668822012-01-30T15:25:00.000+00:002012-01-30T15:25:29.072+00:00A real-life 'in-the-flesh' layout at lastA week or so ago, I was lucky enough to get to a class run by Sue at <a href="http://www.paperarts.co.uk/" target="_blank">PaperArts</a> where we tackled a complicated set of tasks including cutting, masking, spraying, shrinking, quilling and inking (just for starters!). As it was quite a time-consuming challenge, I didn't get to finish the second layout I started, and it has been lying on my desk at home ever since, asking to be completed.<br />
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And at last, it is finished:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UEtO7HbEdOrMMdWBNKBHmR2osAjRviOewbBv79MeHUa8n5W4NVbszqpYERHdzs7L80Al2A86DQD-uwkqUhtKjMyQ6eUretxvdOPYBt4t9ksCBvDtDXj13FsiDgm6Utvic6aKnuCOG2vi/s1600/Friends+LO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UEtO7HbEdOrMMdWBNKBHmR2osAjRviOewbBv79MeHUa8n5W4NVbszqpYERHdzs7L80Al2A86DQD-uwkqUhtKjMyQ6eUretxvdOPYBt4t9ksCBvDtDXj13FsiDgm6Utvic6aKnuCOG2vi/s320/Friends+LO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I tore, rolled and generally distressed the base cardstock, sprayed some Glimmer Mist in one area (I seem incapable of using this stuff without getting big blobs of ink on my work but hey ho, all adds to the character), and used scraps of patterned paper and cut-outs behind the photo.<br />
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You can't see too well from the photo, but the papers are stuck on using foam mounts to give extra dimension, and in the top left, I've scattered sticky gems around for extra bling (there are some to the right hand side, too!). The small flowers come from my stock - some Primas, some charity shop, and the checked bow came from a Christmas gift. The large flower was cut from the Tim Holz Tattered Floral die, while the centre is a button from my button stash tin (thanks mum!). Oh, and I used some roses cut from the rose ribbon stuff you can buy by the metre. I shrunk one using my heat gun.<br />
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Add some ribbon and ric-rac, and some letters from the My Mind's Eye Lush collection and Bob's your uncle!Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-81597193177608590242012-01-27T13:42:00.000+00:002012-01-27T13:42:37.373+00:00Ooops! My mistake - but still a good result!To err is human, to misread the requirements for a CJ entry is also pretty stupid. That's what I did the other day. But you know what, although I feel a right plonker for getting confused and will have to complete not only one but two digi pages this weekend (to replace the erroneous page, and produce the final LO for the CJ 'trail' I'm following) .... I am actually quite pleased with my 'acidental' page anyway!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7bvL1shTgYvlMhPLFZTY5MYWVCkBUa3wVkVTKPEpicuf0QxEU1VaskQVQV1Yy6n0StqSdaXG5QVDvl3yiNvVPfg4wkev_UiZVrg9CjI8f87NyoOuIPXZHLWP9uoM4kPrCvh2rHYpmObU/s1600/The-year-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7bvL1shTgYvlMhPLFZTY5MYWVCkBUa3wVkVTKPEpicuf0QxEU1VaskQVQV1Yy6n0StqSdaXG5QVDvl3yiNvVPfg4wkev_UiZVrg9CjI8f87NyoOuIPXZHLWP9uoM4kPrCvh2rHYpmObU/s320/The-year-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have sat at my PC without my notebook where I've recorded the designers whose materials I've used so my apologies - I'll rectify this when I'm back at base. But meanwhile, hand up if you're a fan of the lovely old mini!<br />
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My first car was a mini so I've a soft spot for the wee beastie. It was a sort of mushroom grey colour, and my friend had one in exactly the same shade. We weren't too happy when we discovered that my key also unlocked the door of her car .... but we still both loved our wheels....Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-17765550005568790972012-01-10T13:44:00.001+00:002012-01-10T13:45:22.764+00:00A digi update - and about time too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnln8uFOwpE1kw5w0Ae4fmWMZjxBnoVE8mOQ3EondB1EnENqr4ySTtFzekGbvc-ZmE6q9gHRAVT_EBFZxea5Ipf0fmfVy_snMc_Db6t3_RCdtRyVhhpFp3KEPY1giZXRyZ7LXsPQlU1531/s1600/Places+CJ+resample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnln8uFOwpE1kw5w0Ae4fmWMZjxBnoVE8mOQ3EondB1EnENqr4ySTtFzekGbvc-ZmE6q9gHRAVT_EBFZxea5Ipf0fmfVy_snMc_Db6t3_RCdtRyVhhpFp3KEPY1giZXRyZ7LXsPQlU1531/s320/Places+CJ+resample.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I am, as usual behind with this and that. This being my blog, and that being the digital scrapbook layout pages I should be making and sharing with my circle journal (CJ) friends on UK Scrappers. I didn't make any New Year's resolutions, but if I had, I might have pledged to be a better blogger. And so I will try, honestly, I will. But don't be surprised if I don't (always) succeed.<br />
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And so to my page above - that's me, enjoying the amazing peace and tranquillity, not to mention the fabulous scenery, during a holiday in New Zealand a few years ago. I could have stayed in this spot all day - it was just beautiful. This was my contribution to a journal focusing on 'places'.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuEgMRWgKstvKN2KN6wBq6cdPDG827LGO5aw6HEvwqNcwaLpHvotTH1rt8ts4myrbXgvbgIlK6bbstrPjrJkZFXQ30wuPtz2r73g-P2KauaTba3wvn1IXX_SxqHT99rTBfAx4J4B9taQ1/s1600/Graveyard+6cm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuEgMRWgKstvKN2KN6wBq6cdPDG827LGO5aw6HEvwqNcwaLpHvotTH1rt8ts4myrbXgvbgIlK6bbstrPjrJkZFXQ30wuPtz2r73g-P2KauaTba3wvn1IXX_SxqHT99rTBfAx4J4B9taQ1/s320/Graveyard+6cm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My most recent CJ contribution is this - which as I'm writing my blog in the traditional sleepy lunchtime period, might most appropriately be called the 'graveyard slot'. These photos were all taken in the Victorian section of Stroud cemetery, which is also a nature reserve. I find all the tombstone inscriptions, stone designs and brief glimpses of past lives fascinating. <br />
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On my first visit I puzzled over the repeat appearance of tall, thin columns which were broken at their tips. Why was each memorial so damaged? I later discovered that these pillars were deliberately crafted in this fashion, designed to symbolise a life cut short. Other designs also tell stories - twisted ropes, anchors, angels and symbols, all with their own histories and messages.<br />
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I realise that graveyards might not be everyone's idea of great places to explore - but I think they are a treasure troves, providing tantalising clues into lives gone before. They're also great for practising photography skills and spotting wildlife and lichen, as well as contemplating those whom we have loved and lost ... but not forgotten.Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-87603529241596615842011-11-23T16:02:00.000+00:002011-11-23T16:02:49.714+00:00Oh, the shame ....I am a bad person: I have not blogged for ages. I have no excuse other than life, and stuff happening. But just because I have not blogged, doesn't mean I've not been crafting. I've made some cards .... sadly no photos as they were were all snaffled straight away for various birthdays and get well soon postings. You'll have to trust me when I say they looked ok.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu1VXObMuMh7eKOmkTKVRgW3EI6A2_UE-e9p6p3RFrcndRkQLKv5RiyMJUtNZcSS1ERliu_qrQciQRCe4hj8A5jFCC5Ozfu3XxB19DRZ9yuVuPn8c2UcxXa6we4fQoHZjqAJyL7lTgcRU/s1600/CHILDHOOD+MEMORIES+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu1VXObMuMh7eKOmkTKVRgW3EI6A2_UE-e9p6p3RFrcndRkQLKv5RiyMJUtNZcSS1ERliu_qrQciQRCe4hj8A5jFCC5Ozfu3XxB19DRZ9yuVuPn8c2UcxXa6we4fQoHZjqAJyL7lTgcRU/s320/CHILDHOOD+MEMORIES+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Now this digi page I've uploaded here is one of the pages I've done for the digi circle journal over on UKS. The theme for this one was childhood memories. I wasn't sure what to do for this as I didn't have any photos to illustrate the theme. Then I started thinking about what I spent most of my childhood doing - and the answer is probably reading. Which led me to remembering all the books I borrowed from the local libary to feed my hunger for words. And so my page idea was born.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbBQ7lcUXu3jRtLdkGFjK8QiUhLo4pVD-cpmJpVvnTV_B4NRhK_8I74FznOE17-M7mwrUizaiI3xztjSI1NW6DF8EnXzSpcxu7pXoS70KsTMztVxZXOQ-CtWuG0MNKAd37Kbj_byEyu5D/s1600/Nature+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbBQ7lcUXu3jRtLdkGFjK8QiUhLo4pVD-cpmJpVvnTV_B4NRhK_8I74FznOE17-M7mwrUizaiI3xztjSI1NW6DF8EnXzSpcxu7pXoS70KsTMztVxZXOQ-CtWuG0MNKAd37Kbj_byEyu5D/s320/Nature+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Nature was the theme for another circle journal which seemed a perfect excuse to use one of the photos I took earlier this year of poppies growing in the fields near my home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlYzPfLu134pesUYjQM5OJKpaQPfcZIpsXzBGTpEl728LzsIuwqhaDzZWWhM__UQfGXDKP3IVdh3d6UcUXcNNn1hM94C7t7OtCNZ4_pEtGWZ5JL68RscXaNpIwwzp0nlrz5Z9DTnu83sk/s1600/Nature-SDsml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlYzPfLu134pesUYjQM5OJKpaQPfcZIpsXzBGTpEl728LzsIuwqhaDzZWWhM__UQfGXDKP3IVdh3d6UcUXcNNn1hM94C7t7OtCNZ4_pEtGWZ5JL68RscXaNpIwwzp0nlrz5Z9DTnu83sk/s320/Nature-SDsml.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A similar CJ, called Nature's Glory, gave me the chance to use a different shor altogether, of the lovely holly growing in a local wood, dressed with snow.<br />
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Hope you like my creations ..... I shall try not to stay away from my blog for so long, next time!Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-62605909404811579232011-07-30T22:40:00.001+01:002011-07-30T22:41:39.595+01:00Butterfly card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTxHYRivH7m1QV9ucvGbDiTlvVmAtqsf-8cf7liX6G1dxk8nAvG4uPZ1BItju54ObAp10Tu83-SfM6xFOWpbCSaeVVKezKBTcx5h7k8owGMDnpF2cEF2PLIzqBpVT6Csj9c4HSBtt1usN/s1600/Butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTxHYRivH7m1QV9ucvGbDiTlvVmAtqsf-8cf7liX6G1dxk8nAvG4uPZ1BItju54ObAp10Tu83-SfM6xFOWpbCSaeVVKezKBTcx5h7k8owGMDnpF2cEF2PLIzqBpVT6Csj9c4HSBtt1usN/s320/Butterflies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I made this card in response to an on-line challenge. Can I remember who set the challenge, or where? No! Doh .... But never mind, I enjoyed making it. I do recall that there was a sketch to use and the idea of 'circles' as a prompt.<br />
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I used white card for the card base and stippled it with Tim Holtz Distress Ink. Cut a section of checked card and used my threading water border punch on one edge before mounting it. The three punched circles have had the edges inked and are mounted using sticky pads for dimension. The cardstock comes ready glittered, so there's a nice bit of built-in bling!<br />
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I have used a second ribbon-style strip of the checked card towards the bottom of the card, leaving a small amount of the white card below (you can't see this on my scanned version, sorry).<br />
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The small frame is cut using my Sissix die and Big Shot, and the added sentiment is a rub-on from my collection. Two pearl 'jewels' add the finishing touch to the frame.Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-64663845982504757412011-07-25T16:24:00.004+01:002011-07-25T21:14:22.254+01:00A digital creationWhile I've been out of work, I've had much more time to explore the capabilities of my Photoshop Elements 8 software. I am, I admit, a little bit addicted to just playing around with it, mostly on photos, but also, it has to be said, with other elements that could be useful in digital, or in-the-flesh scrapbooking.<br />
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And here is my latest 'test' creation, which I was quite pleased with. I do have another, grungier version (postmarks are seldom crystal clear and perfect, are they?!) but I am not sure where I filed it (doh!). I don't think I've perfected the technique yet - I couldn't see to get the 'sent with love' text to appear the right way up, but hey, in my book, any progress is good!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFJGRUH65lQ3V0zBlUmDY8A5MAl4XAcMtqYNRq-9s36RN-ghl-A4wMIfPeznzLePbPnFdayCdJNz0K2w75TsMckcJsvCQaTSTb754bFQhElp28JBpEwUx8Tr-wrS5sNcBXWaKTahyiX88/s1600/Postmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFJGRUH65lQ3V0zBlUmDY8A5MAl4XAcMtqYNRq-9s36RN-ghl-A4wMIfPeznzLePbPnFdayCdJNz0K2w75TsMckcJsvCQaTSTb754bFQhElp28JBpEwUx8Tr-wrS5sNcBXWaKTahyiX88/s320/Postmark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made the image with the help of the fab people on <b>elementsvillage.com. </b>The site is well worth a visit if you want to got more from your Photoshop program, and everyone there is so helpful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://notesonpaper.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-going-postal-how-about-you.html">http://notesonpaper.blogspot.com/2011/07/im-going-postal-how-about-you.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've posted this link as one of my UK Scrapper companions has gone all postal, and when I read her blog, I thought my creation would be just perfect to share and add to the collection of all thing maily.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfmVXppCOvzLe9TBZUp6R7b0Z7N97LXTkElkuSMlhwxEMvbf0P6DqJe1F3MTnzUhShB5Gf0bPgodOfDlG0U387y9FQYQIuKY6AWfgjGdQAMySk4L0nE_44L8gAPtKTTuXBCKRC1pLLYBO/s1600/Kalika-fame-small.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfmVXppCOvzLe9TBZUp6R7b0Z7N97LXTkElkuSMlhwxEMvbf0P6DqJe1F3MTnzUhShB5Gf0bPgodOfDlG0U387y9FQYQIuKY6AWfgjGdQAMySk4L0nE_44L8gAPtKTTuXBCKRC1pLLYBO/s320/Kalika-fame-small.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here is a photo of one of our dogs Kalika, framed by moi, using masks and brushes. I did have fun doing this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-71519939901692497852011-07-18T13:28:00.000+01:002011-07-18T13:28:06.923+01:00Another week, another card ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7wDr1tAqw6s3fqXRV7-h5FxJPCH7ltm_H2WKFDBhQt56Y5KwX6jSuIhSDG801sV0O8ko0BS1zORkU2OusbgDsUDW60lVvhDSmuxF32TmHgQcKOY7kVXyl8RTsE1DcVY-MVwI85tfiehf/s1600/Sketch+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7wDr1tAqw6s3fqXRV7-h5FxJPCH7ltm_H2WKFDBhQt56Y5KwX6jSuIhSDG801sV0O8ko0BS1zORkU2OusbgDsUDW60lVvhDSmuxF32TmHgQcKOY7kVXyl8RTsE1DcVY-MVwI85tfiehf/s320/Sketch+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is yet another of my photos which fails to do the card justice. It really does look better in real life, honest!<br />
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I made this in response to sketch challenge here:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://scrapology-adventuresinscrapbooking.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #22229c;" target="_blank">http://scrapology-adventuresinscrapb....blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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The card base is simple white CS, and I've rounded the corners with a punch.I used some of my Papermania paper for the three-block background - the patterns and colours in the set are lovely, but because the paper is quite thin, I tend not to use it often. This seemed to be a great opportunity to put it to use.<br />
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Then I punched two scalloped circles, inked the edges and mounted them with sticky fixers to give dimension. The sentiment was created in Word and printed on a light card stock. Then I used a circle punch to cut out the required shape before mounting that on top. The white ribbon and thinner blue ribbon came from my ribbon stash drawer.<br />
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Thanks to everyone for looking, and for the lovely comments many of you are leaving for me - it's so encouraging.Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-70894987773383755882011-07-16T14:34:00.000+01:002011-07-16T14:34:02.747+01:00Saturday update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxd8iyhNBlV-MCN8RfPbTonClXDJ77dhVyf1lfjN8jba4zCwEAE5lfALTV1C72M2qR8BJkB5Un5abcGHZHH4nZwV85XqoSRP0ER8uEcpblJEUIuaCQeT49v3ujFdJvepgBNEDdIE9i86J_/s1600/Butterfly+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxd8iyhNBlV-MCN8RfPbTonClXDJ77dhVyf1lfjN8jba4zCwEAE5lfALTV1C72M2qR8BJkB5Un5abcGHZHH4nZwV85XqoSRP0ER8uEcpblJEUIuaCQeT49v3ujFdJvepgBNEDdIE9i86J_/s320/Butterfly+card.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OK. Today's card features a sparkly butterfly cut using a lovely Marianne's Creatables die. It is cut from slightly holographic/sparkly cardstock which look better on the in-the-flesh version than in the photo.I've bent the wings upwards and mounted the body on a sticky fixer to give it dimension.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The cardstock came from a Garden Party (DCWV) small stack and is handily already 'blinged' so I didn't have to add any further Stickles or gems. I wrapped a silver-edged organza ribbon and bow around the DCWV card before sticking it onto the card base.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simple, quick, and used up up just a little more of my stash!</div>Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-72739820354187350652011-07-11T14:36:00.000+01:002011-07-11T14:36:27.848+01:00Just as I promised!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36fp-eLadrftMgSyc2UxSCxBPoNP0O_5xyMsM3cRoZPAkPhupjQOXxNTYxQy8cBNg2m3uUH97hCNt4frQ1ngDWPHnXvUEZ-BxMQ274zPytoYJ_Dh1-T7JGaOzZjOwJPEeaKtC0jmo2t8p/s1600/Happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36fp-eLadrftMgSyc2UxSCxBPoNP0O_5xyMsM3cRoZPAkPhupjQOXxNTYxQy8cBNg2m3uUH97hCNt4frQ1ngDWPHnXvUEZ-BxMQ274zPytoYJ_Dh1-T7JGaOzZjOwJPEeaKtC0jmo2t8p/s320/Happy.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>I promised to share some more photos of the cars I'd been making on my frugal creativity drive!<br />
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Not the best photo ever but I think you get the idea.<br />
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I've used a pink card base (I never used to like pink, so don't quite now what's happened these days, all my cards seem to be pink LOL) and my threading water punch to create the edging. I've done some inking with my Tim Holz Distress Ink pads, and used my Sizzix swirl to cut the flourish. The (Sizzix) scalloped / frame shape behind the flourish is cut from a textured wallpaper sample, and inked to bring out the relief. The button comes from my box of mum-donated stash. There's the compulsory low-level bling, too, in the form of gems and a bit of Stickles here and there on the flourish. The various elements are mounted with the help of sticky fixers to give a 3D effect.<br />
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Doesn't look bad in real life!!!!!Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307358971563007178.post-59567393476532509242011-07-09T17:00:00.001+01:002011-07-11T14:28:39.326+01:00Trying to be good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbXB7EjdFak8hS8O9StLBKqpYlJoKoqVU5rfEHVSIWIKNXH7y46P4b1kfn8YdU0qq_waROv98tk4kaZ5NgNUY7f2FyWdpWm3PkAQJcttc39XnPr5c52kB7gq-ofwtCjHsF5VOhxLDMYVI/s1600/ThinkingOfYou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbXB7EjdFak8hS8O9StLBKqpYlJoKoqVU5rfEHVSIWIKNXH7y46P4b1kfn8YdU0qq_waROv98tk4kaZ5NgNUY7f2FyWdpWm3PkAQJcttc39XnPr5c52kB7gq-ofwtCjHsF5VOhxLDMYVI/s320/ThinkingOfYou.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>It is true, I have been trying to be good. Why? Well, I have been out of work now since December last year and redundancy payouts don't, sadly, last for ever. So I am trying to rein in my spending habits (not that they were ever very dubious - but who doesn't like buying the odd crafty thing here and there??!!).<br />
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The result from a crafting perspective is I've been making more of an effort to use up what I've got, scraps and all. The card above is just one of a batch I've made using what's stashed away in my office-cum-craft room. The exercise has also made me use my Sizzix dies and various punches, so I am feeling reasonably pleased with myself!<br />
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I will post up some more photos as I go along.Molehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16263692873729495476noreply@blogger.com6