Monday, May 31, 2010

Roses and more roses

Hello ...


I have had a few sweet comments about my little handmade little roses and there is no great secret to making them ... this is the link to the tutorial I used.



These were made from card stock (digitally printed) and can be found on a previous posting Here



As can this  Here.... 

Card stock and DP are great for making these roses but be careful with vellum as it is not so forgiving and can tear easily but I think it gives a nice effect too.
I sometimes use glue or dimensionals to adhere them to a project - I have even sewn them on... I think Beate of SCS also does a great tutorial showing the use of wire to secure them to your project Here
Another TIP is not to worry too much about the glue - I spray mine with adhesive spray to dip in glitter and the spray will keep your layers together.
I hope this helps you all .... 

I have been busy clearing my small crafting room.... Can't believe just how much I hoard!
I hope you all had a great weekend and I'll be back soon with some things to share.

Till soon....

Ros





Saturday, May 29, 2010

City Crafters Challenge and Play date Cafe......

Hello my friends... I missed you


We had a wonderful time in Majorca and I feel rested and calm - I think everyone has a place to heal ... maybe this is my place ... overlooking the beautiful bay of Palma.
Liverpool today is cold, wet and windy and already I am missing the mediterranean.... But it was good to come home to my beautiful son... I think he missed me... we stayed up late talking.... and it was meaningful... maybe thoughts were troubling him, but we got to hug and I told him how very much I love him - he was and always will be my greatest blessing in life. I hope he will always know that - 


I am so grateful to City Crafter Challenge Blog for bestowing a spotlight on my last challenge entry ... and so proud to be able to show my badges - Thank you!




This weeks challenge at CCCB is a 'Recipe' of one ribbon, 2 papers and 3 flowers - this weeks host being Linda - (check out her blog here and see her beautiful cards) and Jane Wetzel is Guest Designer
Her work is incredible - 


My card is also for the Play Date Cafe challenge with this inspiring picture and colour palette - please stop by and see the beautiful inspiring work from their design team...

I chose to make a vintage card with my hand made vellum flowers for this challenge....







.....coated in glitter....... 



One more thing before I go - I received my gift from KraftyKirsty's Etsy shop.. so lovely! Thank you Kirsty, and I also received a huge pad of Core'dinations card stock following my entry to Caardvarks challenge here ... Thank you to Caardvarks and to Core'dinations I am truly grateful.

Have a lovely day and keep safe...
Till soon

Ros






Wednesday, May 19, 2010

I Won! I Won!

Those sweet girls over at City Crafter Challenge picked my card for week 4 Colour Challenge and I am just absolutely thrilled and (to use a Liverpool expression) Buzzing!!
So, thank you girls, so much.....


This weeks' Challenge at City Crafters is hosted by the talented Kirsty Vittetoe and this is the inspirational picture

Isn't it just beautiful? ... How I love post cards and script.....
And the Guest designer this week is none other than  Melissa Phillips of LilybeanPaperie... a true artiste of crafting....
All the designers have done such amazing work this week ... really hard acts to follow...





I so wanted to do a card with post marks and script and stamps and envelopes... all tied up with twine...(sigh)
But my heart took over.....
You see both my grandfathers were French ... My mother was the apple of her Papa's eye... and was even sent to a french school rather than an English school.... 
I never got to know either Grandfathers, but my mother always talked with such love in her heart about her Papa... and said that had he lived to see me... I too would have been adored as she was...
Papa was born in Paris ... and my heart took me to this card...


Shabby and distressed to remind me of the era of  'Papa' ....French script I typed about Papa straight onto antique paper... and to remind me that he was an interpreter in France - See this book?

This is the dictionary he used ... a Third edition printed in 1916... gold edge ... now aged and shabby, but my only token of my 'Grand-père'



The little girl on this Melissa Frances paper with the french verbs.. reminds me of my Mother and her schooling, 



An antique button on pretty scrunched seam binding and a tag from Bluebird Lane with of course the lace ... so reminiscent of my Swiss Grandmother too... a glittered butterfly nesting on some burlap tells me they are never far from my heart...

I also have another card to share before I leave you for my week away...

I made this a few days ago... it too has a French theme....










A beautiful tag from Bluebird Lane - papers from Papermania and embellishments from my stash...

That is it for now my friends... I will be away for a while... 
I have been nurturing my soul these past few months and now my body needs some nurturing too... I need to feel the sun on my face, stretch my limbs and lose myself in the cool waters of the Mediterranean.... and hopefully come back stronger. Your comments and your visits have been a blessing.... I will miss you ....

Keep safe 

Till soon

Ros









Saturday, May 15, 2010

Notebook and Cover

Hi there....


Thanks Linda - you were right - today has been much better ....... 


I have a couple of things to share today... 
One thing that I really love to make are notebooks... well I suppose it should be notebook covers as I always have lots of inexpensive note pads in ... my class love doing them too.



I did this one today... and made a slip cover for it.

Edit note - I forgot to say that this is also for the Play Date Cafe Challenge - well my interpretation of these colours



Not sure if a note book counts though....




For the base I printed antique cream onto white card stock and some Vinnie Pearce digital text, the green script paper is from Papermania's Regency range ... so delicious, the blue 'Paris" paper is digital collage  from Cassi's Creations Etsy shop - (Here) She has some really mouth watering goodies - you should take a look - the cupcakes are just yummy!

Of course I had to add some lace, a flower and a glittered butterfly... ribbons and buttons seem to be compulsory for me too....


It slips neatly into this cover - I printed the card stock using special effects from one of my programs - hence it looks like different shades, but I kind if like it as it looks more 'aged'. I also covered the slip with self adhesive clear wrap to give it protection when I just toss it in my handbag...
What do you think??

Now the other thing I wanted to share with you is my bargain of the day... ooh! you are gonna be so jealous... Take a look at this



How yummy is this? There are no less than 50 yes 50! tags in this box, with ribbon too...


Look at those pretty sewing tags ... so you can give your handmade stuff  with a ready made tag...
And the box is really solid so you can use that too - sorry that the picture is not so good - my camera battery ran out, but you'll get the idea...




And the best bit is that this whole box only cost me £1.29 which is ... about $1.89 to you my friends in the USA. I bought a couple of boxes of course... well I had to.

So I'll leave you drooling whilst I get myself some dinner - my Hubby is on a golfing day so won't be back till late... time to put my feet up and maybe even have a glass of wine (or two?)...

Thank you for stopping by ... you are so kind

Keep safe

Ros










Friday, May 14, 2010

Love Notes ....


Time for a Challenge ... The Shabby Tea Room challenge that is (Here) .... Been wanting to do this all week... I (heart) chipboard.... glittered, painted, printed..... love it! 
And there are so many pretty cards to see at the Shabby Tea Room (love that name!!) pop over and see.




Today had been one of those days when patience and confidence need to be practiced ... My son was taking the Express Bus to London this morning and the traffic was so bad we arrived at the bus station to see the bus pull out... (Argh!)
He thought that there was about a 2hr wait till the next one so I hope he got to his destination ok. It was a cold, rainy morning - with the kind of rain that no umbrella is going to protect you from and I had to go into the city to get some things.


Still I got home in time to do some crafting, which usually takes me to another place of calm and serenity.. But it seemed every time I reached for something, a box would fall off the shelf and soon there were tiny buttons and tags and all nature of small things ( the sort that are so hard to pick up) everywhere!
I was not going to be beaten even when I had to stop countless times to answer the phone ( always happens when you are in the middle of some fiddly job??!!)


I was determined to do this challenge!





A cute set of 3 little cards.... all tied up in a shabby wrap........




I got my package from Bety at Iralamija earlier in the week ..ooh! such pretty stuff... I have been dying to use it - all that Melissa Frances paper, chipboard and lace......
It had to be 'Love Notes'......



A bit of  romantic shabby.....




Glitter and roses, chipboard hearts and kisses, hand stamped delicate butterflies, buttons, pins and ribbons....



And finally, I'm done....

Till soon my friends....

Ros









Thursday, May 13, 2010

Thank you The Shabby Tea Room!!



I received an honourable mention from the lovely Debbie at The Shabby Tea Room for my card entry in this post -  How amazing is that? Three mentions in one week.... I wish I could tell you just how much it means to me - I am so very delighted and extremely grateful... the entries were as usual exceptional ... So much talent out there....


I so wanted to complete my entry for this weeks challenge over at the Shabby Tea Room ... but I have been snowed under with so many things to complete, both for myself and for others. I was asked by the Thursday Club if I could come up with a large free standing plaque (of sorts) .. as they are about to start some little challenges where a trophy will be given to the winner. The Challenge is a dedication to one of our helpers.. The very much loved and missed - Jimmy - whom we lost at the beginning of the year.
 so it has taken me a while to come up with something - unfortunately most free standing frames are relatively small - so it called for improvisation!! 
I'll share a little picture of the completed effort...





Alas you can actually see me photographing this (LOL) it is difficult when you have reflecting glass - so don't look  too closely!



Here is a little peak at the sample pocket tags I have prepared for my class tonight .... not marvellous but my group will just be thrilled to be making and taking... Bless them.



Hopefully I will get my challenge entry done tomorrow ----

Thank you all once again, from my heart, for your sweet comments and to those of you who have made this week so special ......

keep safe

Ros





Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Start actions from stillness....

When faced with difficulty, remember that the spirit is imperishable and do not give way to weakness.... My practice during the week from Practical Philosophy.....


At the end of last year I was dealing with some major personal issues... I was, at that time .... 'Broken' ..


Three things got me through... My dear friends who were there to support me (thank you)... My God who listened and at times carried me when I thought I could go no further.... and the teachings of Practical Philosophy.
 I had taken a year out from PP and I got a call that led me back in January... It was to be my turning point and I knew in my heart that God was guiding me.


The subject that term was "Freedom" ... freedom from the things that bind us, that we forget to let go of... Freedom to return to that natural state of happiness and well being. I had forgotten that within me I hold all the resources I need ... all I had to do was return to stillness and practice the teachings.
It gave clarity to my jumbled state of mind... It brought me calm, and put me back right where I needed to be ... Here... In the 'Now' .. giving attention only to that which is in front of me. I have survived and 5 months on my soul is healing.....



This term, the subject is  - The Way of Action .... working from stillness. 

I have some digital stamps from Tiffanys Doodles ... I wondered to myself .."How should I use them?" I know that Tiffany is pleased to see her creations used and I wanted to honour her work... So I took time to pause before I began to create... it seemed fitting for me that I should use her Sunflower... with all the earthy tones..
Remembering how she turns her face to the sun and grows strong and tall ... a reflecting image with her deep complex centre and her petals reaching out in a blaze of  'sunlike' glory......





This is a beautiful stamp...
 I printed straight on to DP and added a touch of glossy accents to the centre of the sunflower then sprinkled with a little glitter. A few gems and a My Minds Eye stamp done in chocolate brown ink, together with some of my own tea stained ribbon.


Time for a chat? ..

Tiffany's couch stamp.... Another fitting reminder for me and all the kindness and love I have been blessed with.....
I squished this image up a bit (sorry Tiffany) because it looked right to me... I'm not sure if you can make out the paper pieced 'cushion' pattern? It too incorporates the sunflower stamp but I made it ever so tiny teeny.



The vase was from clip art and I used glossy accents here too... completed by a little 'art work' of little mirror glass tiles.




Till soon my friends


Ros






Tuesday, May 11, 2010

2nd Post.. Exciting News!!

Whoa!


 Just noticed that I have a spotlight mention on City Crafter Challenge for my Tag entry!!!
I am thrilled to bits and very honoured - Thank you so much ladies of City Crafters.


The winner was none other than Mona Pendleton - one of my favourite crafters... she is just so incredibly talented - If you haven't  to seen her blog - you don't know what you are missing!!


Right .... I'm off now.... promise


Keep safe


Ros

City Crafter Challenge Day ...


Pretty, pink, soft and serene... A beautiful picture from A Creative Mint ... So many textures... It speaks of freshness, gentleness and it fills my soul with love ...(sigh)

It is also the inspiration for City Crafter Challenge today hosted by the sweet Heather Jensen ... all things pink.... with a hint of green...

The very talented Melissa Sauls is the guest designer and you really need to see her beautiful card along with those done by the other designers... and of course check out This link ... Krafty Kirsty Etsy shop - such yummy goodness.....



Did you notice the creamy mellowness in the the picture too? ..... 



All that I love is here... Butterflies, ribbon, lace, glitter and some script..... I even used my button from Bluebird Lane along with their scrunched seam binding.
Digital paper from Pink Petticoat, punched and embossed leaf, stick on embellishments from Henbury Lane, lace and flower from my stash.

Off to get ready for my Philosophy class tonight - I have almost finished preparing for my Thursday Club.. this week we are making pocket tags......

Thank you for all your lovely comments and encouragement - you make my day!

Till soon....

Ros



Monday, May 10, 2010

Somebody Pinch Me!!






I can hardly believe it ... but....I won a prize from Core'dinations for my card that I entered with Caardvarks!! on this post ..


Oh my! .... Thank you Caardvarks.... What a wonderful pick me up after the sad day I just had....
May I just say congratulations to all the other winners and of course to Charlotte Dobson who won the three month design team spot... Well done!


The card I am posting today is also one that I am entering in Caardvarks new  challenge Here..








 I didn't have any of Tiffanydoodles digital stamps at the time, but since checking out her shop ... I now have a few and hope to use them soon - they are so good - you have to take a look.












This card is for a friend and for her gift I bought her a picture frame and trinket box which are covered in Forget-Me-Nots... See?





So I wanted to use "Forget-Me-Nots" on her card - the image I used is also digital by Gail Flores (Jardin de fleurs) but I am unsure where I got these as I have had them for ages....


Core'dinations also used here, with glitter, pearls and other embellishments and the little butterflies are from Two Peas digital shop - they are "Flutterbies" by Hero Arts - Here.


I sure hope that my friend doesn't see this before I have a chance to give it to her!! ....


After a very sad funeral, I end my day at least feeling cheered.....


Till soon my friends


Ros









Sunday, May 09, 2010

For the boys....

Don't you think sometimes it is hard to make cards for the guys? I so want to use ribbons and sparkle and lace....


Well I have got a few birthdays coming up this month 3 of which are for guys, so I thought I had better get them done... the reason? Well I am off on a well earned holiday in just over a weeks time (Yay!) Off to the Island of  Majorca .. A place I love and have visited quite often over the last few years. It never disappoints me...



I want to be able to just spend a whole week relaxing and not having to worry that I forgot someone's birthday ...





Digital papers with some twine and buttons and voila! suitable for a guy...
...my friends husband



... Added some butterflies to this one for my Uncle....





More Vinnie Pearce here with a touch of red for my Brother ... Well, we are Liverpool FC supporters he and I.

And lastly, a card I did for Shirley.....









Thanks for stopping by...

Keep safe...

Ros