Butterflies

New stamp

Love the santoro mirabelle stamps. This one is called Pursuit of Happiness, I definitely found some of that in my craft room this evening.  Finally started to get to grips with using Distress Markers for colouring. This is my first complete project using them.

Golden Wedding

Congratulations to my Mum and Dad they have been married 50 years tomorrow.  They have gone on holiday to a secret destination, just hope the weather doesn't spoil their plans.  I love these Lily of the Valley stamps, I couldn't choose between them so i used them both.  I made the flowers using a free cut on the cricut craft room.  The images are coloured with promarkers - I'm finally improving my technique.

Lynda
Entering for the Allsorts Challenge 'Deco delight' and I love promarkers 'Anything Goes'

LOTV 9th birthday

My beautiful niece turned 21 last week and here is her card.  I love this image along with many other LOTV designs.  In fact I've just reorganised my stamps and was amazed by how many LOTV stamps I have amassed.  I have just treat myself to a couple of the new romantic stamps, they were the perfect images for a very speical card I have made for my parents wedding anniversary which is in a months time.  I spent a whole day playing in my craft room last week when it was half term, what a treat.  I can't wait to share the wedding anniversary card but I have to wait until the special day arrives.  In the meantime I want to enter this card for the LOTV 9th birthday competition.  Hopefully I can add a few more stamps to my collection.Thanks for stopping by.

Lynda xxx

Loving LOTV and Knitting!

A couple of recent cards made using LOTV stamps.

I love this range and have just ordered a couple of new ones, the images are so versatile, I have coloured these with Promarkers, I use them in a very simple way,  I haven't got hours for crafting and I had to do both of these cards in hurry.  I should build up a stash of cards but I just don't seem to work that way, I like to prepare cards specifically for the people who are going to receive them.

I've been having a go at knitting recently, inspired initially by Amber's attempt to knit a phone sock.  When i nipped in the wool shop for her, i spotted some scarf wool on offer, inspired by the wonderful advice by the lady in the shop I purchased a couple of balls.  The scarves are very satisfying, knit up extremely quickly and the result is a surprisingly professional scarf. 

Now I have well and truly got the knitting bug, I have embarked on knitting a teddy bear, a purple one of course!  It is the first time I have attempted to follow a pattern, the head and body are complete, partly due to the 4 days I have just spent on the sofa due to a mystery knee injury!!
Hopefully he or she will appear in a future entry.

Lynda xxx

So little time, so much to do

I have been crafting honest!!!  I just haven't got round to blogging. 

I have to confess I didn't decorate the pot for the bouquet myself, but I did make the bouquet.
Now I've discovered knitting, Amber and I are addicted to scarf wool and now I'm going to try knitting a bear, I'll probably get round to blogging them in August!
Lynda xxx

The Wedding

Oh dear I really must do some more regular blogging. I have done some crafting since February honest!!! Paul's brother got married last weekend so I was inspired to have a go at a towel cake and here is my first creation. To go with it I made a horseshoe (which has got a real horse shoe inside it) for Matthew to present to the bride. Last but not least I had just had to use the LOTV bride and groom to make the card.  We had a lovely day catching up with Paul's family who a spread out around the country and therefore rarely get together in one place.  Of course the sun shone all day and the bride and groom looked radiantly happy.

Lynda xxxx

Entering card for Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge Swirls and Flourishes, Papertake Weekly Challenge Anything Goes & Entering the cake, horseshoe and card for Try it on Tuesday Anything Goes

It's birthday season

Well half term is virtually over - I feel just as tired as when we broke up and haven't accomplished half of things I was hoping too. I did fit in a successful shopping trip with my mother in law for her 'Mother of the Groom' outfit. Amber got a gorgeous fascinator and bag to go with her 'usherette' dress. (She isn't very keen on it as she's not really a pink girl, and it is very pink, but with a few grown up accessories I think it will be ok.) So a busy time ahead, loads of family birthdays next month, two weddings in May and June - one of which I've been asked to do the invites for - I've just got to find myself an outfit and of course a fabulous hat.

This card is for my neice, she is a talented baker and is very good at decorating both large cakes and cupcakes, so I think she will like this.

The image is from LOTV, coloured with promarkers.

Entering for Paper Sundaes - Birthday, Allsorts- Anything Goes, Cute Card Thursday - Flower Power and Die-ing for a challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by

Lynda

Happy Valentines Day

I know it's been a while, but my crafting has been very last minute recently and I haven't got round to taking photos before things have had to be popped in the post. I haven't actually had much crafting time since I embarked on my new job, even my Kaisercraft Advent Calender is still work in progress, well that's something to look forward to for Christmas 2012!!!!

Here is my valentine card for my other half - this will be the 20th Valentine card I've sent to him, and I should think that at least half of them were hand made. He can be quite romantic - but not usually when it comes to valentines day - so I shan't be holding my breath tomorrow - it's usually all or nothing - as he reminds me most valentines days - our wedding anniversary is our special day (such a male response to valentines).

The heart and waterfall of hearts were cut with the Cricut. the stamp is from qvc, I used shrink plastic for the smaller hearts. I took a long time to buy some distress inks but now I'm addicted to them - I've used them for stamping and distressing.

Entering for the Allsorts Challenge - Free and Easy February, C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Valentines Day, Cards For Men Valentines Day/Love

I'll be back again soon

Lynda xx

Giant cupcake

Not paper crafting but definitely homemade. Have been looking at the giant cupcake tin for ages and have been watching loads of you tube videos to find out how to pipe buttercream roses and here is my first attempt. My first bake didn't work out, the tin is big and the cake didn't cook properly but I found another recupe on the net and it turned out fine. I used Wilton piping nozzle 1M and the roses were much easier than expected. Haven't done much paper crafting recently - have lost my mojo but the Kaisercraft advent calender is coming on a treat.
Lynda xxxx

Happy birthday Theo

Life has been so hectic I have done some crafting but just couldn't find the time to post anything. The Summer holidays flew by and we had a fabulous fortnight in Cornwall. Since then Amber has started High School and I've started in my new job as Year 12 Learning Co-ordinator at the University Academy. I have lost my card making mojo but did manage to get myself sorted to make this for my nephews 1st birthday. My creation needed something to finish it off but every embellishment I tried didn't seem to work so I left it as posted. I have started a Kaisercraft advent calender though, hopefully I will post my progress shortly. I have the wood painted and assembled and am going to start assembling and decorating the drawers. Hope you are all well and anjoying your crafting in Blog land.
Love Lynda

Entered for the Allsorts challenge - Clean and Simple

A new post at last

Well I'm not sure where the time is going, I'm half way through my Summer holidays already. I've done some crafting since my last post - but didn't manage to get my projects photographed before they were dispatched. Lots of birthdays and Anniversarys coming - so hopefully a few more posts before I head off to Cornwall for two weeks in a tent. Lets hope that the sun shines.

Two cards, I seem to be going through a brown phase, it's just because I'm loving my new Distress inks and foam pads. The anniversary card is for my brother and sister-in-law for their 21st wedding anniversary, I never forget it because it is the day after my own. We have been married 15 years tomorrow, will post hubbies card later. The image is from LOTV, I've had it for ages but I don't think I've used it before - it is beautiful though. The 80th birthday card is for my Aunt who will be celebrating this landmark birthday while we are away. I haven't quite got the layout right and I spent ages moving things around before I got the glue out. Not sure about the Tilda either - hey ho - that's just how it goes sometimes. The flowers I made with my new Tim Holtz dies, I think that is why it didn't quite work out as I hoped, trying to play with all my new stuff at once! The stamps I used are from Kanban, the Tilda is coloured with distress inks and Stampin up watercolours.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lynda xxx

Entering the birthday card for : Anything Goes Challenge - Birthday/celebration, CYDA - Birthday celebrations

A job lot from ebay and an 18th

I bought a job lot of wooden items from ebay, it was an absolute bargain, I've got a whole range of boxes, plaques etc they all plain light coloured wood ready for altering. This is my first attempt at decorating one and I'm pretty pleased with the result. I did this for an 18th birthday gift and did a card to coordinate with it. The birthday girl is trying to save for a car so I did the box to put money in. Her birthday party had a Grease theme and I was presented with some beautiful flowers and a butterfly for my garden for doing the invites (see an earlier post if you missed them). The party was brilliant fun, I was dressed for the occasion with my net petticoats and a Pink Ladies jacket. I checked out a couple of Youtube tutorials on 50s make-up, I went for very strong eyes complete with arched pencilled brows and false lashes and red lips. My husband said "That makeups quite scary but I think you've achieved the look you were after".

Box recipe:

Adirondack Lights Acrylic Paint - Salmon

Memento ink - Rich Cocoa

Images - Kanban acrylic stamps

Sentiments - Tim Holtz

Flowers - Crafts for Occasions

Butterfly - sizzix die and stampin up stamp

Card recipe

Magnolia - Princess Tilda coloured with promarkers

Martha Stewart - Punch around the page punches
LOTV - Sentiment

Entering the card and box for Allsorts Week 111 Free and Easy July & Creative Craft Challenge Pretty Blossoms

Entering the box for CRAFT Challenge - Boxes & Flutterby Wednesday open challenge & Stampalot July Challenge - Anything Goes

Entering the card for I love Promarkers - Clean and Simple

Thanks for stopping by I love reading your comments.

Lynda

1st class honours degree

Sorry about the quality of the photo - I always get round to photographing my projects in the evening and its so difficult to get it right, when I used a flash it just washed out the detail. It can't wait until tomorrow as I want to get this in the post. My niece has just been awarded a first in her Forensic Science degree. She is absolutely thrilled and we are all so proud of her. She went to university shortly after her father died and she has shown such determination to succeed through a very difficult time in her life. I know my brother would be soooo proud of his little girl. She has now decided to follow in my footsteps and become a Chemistry teacher and embarks on her PGCE in September. I cut the sentiment, mortar board and scroll using the Wild card Cricut cartridge. The backing paper is punched with a Martha Stewart punch around the page punches and the flower is from the Magnolia range.

Entering this for Stampalot Challenge- Anything goes
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything goes
Hope your having a lovely evening.
Lynda xx

1st anniversary Blog Candy

Thanks to everyone who entered my first Blog candy.

The winner is ........

True Random Number Generator

Min:1Max:17

Result: 9

Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Ashlee B - Congratulations

Contact me with your address at l.oddie@live.co.uk and I'll pop it in the post.

Lots of love
Lynda

One Year Anniversary - Blog Candy

I can't believe a whole year has passed since I started blogging. I love hopping around everyone's blogs and reading the lovely comments people leave. My cardmaking has changed so much since I started this. I've been crafting for years but had lost my mojo - this has given the inspiration I needed. A year on I now have my own craft room and have bought some brilliant crafty treats to fill it ( not that it wasn't pretty full already). I must say thank you to the very talented Fleur who suggested this in the first place. I didn't know that the world of craft blogs existed.

This is a sticky post so scroll down for recent posts.
To enter add your self as a follower. (Link the candy in your side bar if you can.) Winner will be drawn at random on the 5th of July.

Gigs and parties galore

What a glorious morning, the sky is blue, the sun is shining, it just makes you feel good doesn't it. It's been a really busy week with two more really busy ones ahead so a relaxing weekend is just the ticket. Looks like I bought my new garden furniture at just the right time. Amber has had her first two taster days at the high school, Tuesday was a bit traumatic but Friday went well so I think she is looking forward to September. The next couple of weeks will see me packing her off on her first overnight school trip, goodness she is soooo excited I'm just wondering if out bank balance will ever recover!! lol. We've got parties to go to, the prom, school oscar night (with an X-factor finalist as the entertainment, I don't know which one)and I've got a craft class booked, a whole Saturday with like minded people and loads of other things in the calender. By the time the holidays come I will be well and truly exhausted and the first Saturday we are having a trip up to Newcastle to see Iron Maiden, followed by swift packing because I'm taking the children, my parents and my brother and his son for a week away. I'm sure Paul will enjoy the peace and quiet amidst his gig schedule. He's going to the Iron Maiden tour four times!!!!!!! He's also going this Friday to see the big four at Sonisphere - just a little bit jealous because I love Metallica.

Any way I came to talk about the card - it's for one of my best and oldest friends, we were at school together and lost touch for a short while but thanks to the wonders of facebook we are back together. She is not looking forward to the big one so I've been subtle with the 40s. The image is LOTV, I thought I'd picked shades similar to the backing paper but I went too green. I'm sure the pens I picked had more blue tones on the promarker colour sheet I made. They also look much greener on the photo then on real life. I have stamped the background with Kanban stamps. I made the flower by using the Stampin up butterfly punch and turned the wings into petals which I ran through an embossing plate.

Don't forget to check out my Blog Candy it finishes on Tuesday.

Hope your having a lovely weekend.
Lynda xxxx

Entering for Allsorts - Free and easy
I love promarkers - Include Flowers
LOTV Challenge - Celebrate

Lemon and Lime

Busy, busy ,busy - when i first started teaching, this time of year was a dream - but now the workload just seems to build and build as you accelerate towards the Summer. Unfortunately this leaves limited crafting time - I've got loads of Good Luck cards to make for staff and students who are leaving so quick makes are going to be the order of the day. It's a shame that i'm not on strike tomorrow I could have spent the day crafting. Amber had her first day at the High School yesterday - why did I feel more stressed and worried than the day she started primary school?

I was rummaging in the drawer and came across another aperture card that I had passed over for several years - the colour brought to mind the Allsorts challenge and i thought i would give the colour combo a go. Not sure I've pulled it off - and it would help if I photographed my cards in the daylight - instead of waiting til 11 o clock at night. However, i'm going to submit it anyway. The background stamp and the butterflies are from Kanban, the punch is from Martha Stewart. This punch is so easy to line up and it works perfectly every time, I would thoroughly recommend it. I used a pigment ink this time and the glitter I added stuck to it creating a lovely sparkle but I don't think it really shows in the photo.

Don't forget to enter my BlogCandy while your here it ends on the 4th of July.

Hugs

Lynda

xxxxx

Entering for Allsorts challenge - Lemon & Lime

Flutterby Wednesday - Open challenge

The Stampman Challenge Blog - Butterflies and dragonflies

Using up old stuff.

Hello everyone. hope you all had lovely weekends. We had a lovely weekend and spent some nice family time in honour of Father's Day. Which reminds me, I was delighted to find out that one of my Father's Day cards was picked in the top 5 in the Allsorts challenge. Sooo pleased. So today I fancied a little me time in my Craft room and when i was having a rummage I came across some aperture cards that have been in the drawer for about 10 years. Someone who had given up crafting passed them on to me, I've tried to use them before but have never been satisfied with the results. This time a tried an entirely different approach and I'm pleased with the result. The stamps are both from Kanban - part of a set of 10 sheets a bought a couple of weeks ago from QVC. I stamped them with Memento inks and then layered up the leaves and flowers. Entering this for Anything Goes Challenge - Here comes Summer

Don't forget to enter for my Blog Candy.
Have fun.
Lynda xxx

Poppies

A new card designed with the Stampalot Challenge in mind, I've had this Kanban stamp for ages but this is the first time I have inked it up. I originally planned to put a sentiment at the top but when I got this far nothing seemed to work and embellishments just seemed to ruin the elegance of the design. Now I wish I had centred the main image - but I'll know next time. I stamped the image four times on the background and then covered it with a piece of cellophane so I could line up and stamp the frame, it worked really well and was very easy.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. While your here why don't you enter for my Blog Candy.

Thanks for looking
Lynda xxx
Entering for Stampalot June Challenge,
Papertake Weekly Challenge Anything Goes
Welcome to the Latte Lounge - Nature and Outdoors
Totally Gorjuss - Flower Power