Photo Inspiration Papercraft Star

Hi there!

It's Wednesday and that means a new Photo Inspiration challenge at

Papercraft Star

Here is this weeks photo

How cute are those tin can birdhouses?

Ok, so you don't have to go with the birdhouses ... but I did ... just couldn't resist

4 little birdhouses that hold battery operated candles ... or do they look more like windmills? Mmmm...

These were so easy to make ... I used one of those cardboard tubes they put wrapping paper around as a template ... the candles fitted snuggly inside ... I couldn't punch the hole through the tube so I cut card 

and wrapped it around the tube to get the correct size - then punched a hole in my card and joined the edges

The tops were made using a circle die - cutting a 1/4 of the circle away and folding to make a cone

I had lots of rubons from way back when ... so I used them to decorate - don't be afraid to cut them layer them and mix and match them ... once they are on there they look fine ... you can see I used a few different ones on this

And to show you how I did the candle ... 

I cut a small piece of the tube I used as the template and popped the candle in ... that meant it fitted snuggly inside the birdhouse ... then I punched a circle ... cut a rectangle to enable me to get to the switch and adhered to the base with a little piece of double sided foam tape ... It pulls of easily if I need to change the candle

As a final touch ... I added a pinwheel to each one ... I didn't make these - I bought a whole packet in the 'party' section of a local store for 99p ... where I also bought the mirror for 99p ... just a few strips of washi tape on the frame and we're done!

Sorry I wasn't able to take a photo of them lit ... 

Ok ... so it's over to you now to see what your interpretation of this photo is ... Please link up to Papercraft Star by next Monday evening ... and take a look at the inspiration from the rest of the design  team too.

We are having the funeral for our cousin today so I'd better say goodbye for now 

Have a lovely day

~ Ros ~

Summertime at CCCB

Hello and good morning from a wet and windy Merseyside!

It's just a respite we are told ... the hot weather is set to return for a while ...

But over at City Crafter it's still good weather

Our lovely hostess this week is Wendy 

and her chosen theme is 

"Summertime"

Source 

(Create a project that has something to do with Summer)

I made three postcards

I had some scene paper by Kanban in my stash which was just perfect for these ... I scanned the paper into my computer so I could print it to the scale I wanted and also add a little bit of effect on the first card

This was printed onto canvas paper after I added the vignette effect in iPhoto 

I then stamped, coloured and paper pieced the little boat ... stamped some birds, a sentiment and added a few shells

The second one I printed onto ordinary card stock and stamped a little deckchair which I coloured and paper pieced ... a few embellishments just add a little extra to the postcards

This last one was again printed onto canvas paper ... love that stuff ... and simply stamped with a little embellishing too

The reverse of the postcards looks like this

A little bit of stamping onto kraft coloured card stock and some creativity in photoshop

I've realised that I have a 'thing' for all things beach themed ... Guess you realised that too from my last post ... So I am really looking forward to seeing your summer themed creations

And talking of postcards ... my blog friend Barbara took a trip to Paris recently and sent me this postcard

Completely unexpected ... Thank You Barbara ... it was so sweet of you to think of me!

Our Guest Designer this week is our winner from week 158 -  Rina Meyer of the Scrapbook Fashionista - please hop over to her lovely blog and take a look at her beautifully embellished designs

... And don't forget to check out the designs from my lovely team mates at CCCB

Thanks so much for your visit and for all the lovely comments you leave me ... I'm very grateful

Have a beautiful day

~ Ros ~

It's A Beach Thing

Hi there ...

We've had some storms here ... Lots of rain too

I'm glad for the coolness ... We don't have air conditioning here in the UK ... Well, some may have it ... But I don't know anyone who does because we never really need it ... But I could have used it this last month ... Sleeping has been difficult ...

Anyhow, I picked up the new digital paper set from Pink Petticoat recently which is beach themed and I got to play with it at the weekend

I had a plaque that has hooks on it ... Never used it ... It just didn't fit in with anything ... So I pulled it out and decided to create something with it

I guess I should have photographed the 'before' ... but I didn't ... I just went right ahead and slapped some paint on ...

I'd had this idea in my head since I came back from Cornwall ... being on the coast and full of fabulous beaches ... you can imagine that there are lots of pictures, plaques and souvenirs with  beach themes - and plenty of well worn flip flops around! That's how I wanted these flip flops to look ... 

After covering my painted plaque with 3 different papers from the Pink Petticoat range and then sanding it at the edges to give it a 'worn' look I set about making flip flops, drawing a template and then cutting them out of cardboard and paper - adhering them together then adding foam soles 

I kind of like them ...

The rope like everything else was in my stash and the flowers were once upon a time ... earrings

I've been hoarding travel themed stickers and things for over a year ... promising myself I would do some scrapping to memorialise our cruise ... It just didn't happen (yet) ... so I used a few on my plaque

Whilst I really like this ... you know, I don't know where I am going to put it ... It doesn't exactly fit in either ... maybe my shower room .....

Oh well, I had fun ....

I'll be back tomorrow with the City Crafter Challenge ... Till then 

Thanks for stopping by 

Have a great day

~ Ros ~

Waiting ...

Hello ...

How is your weekend going?

It was my turn this week to choose a prompt at 

Our Beautiful World

The prompt I chose is

"Waiting"

... And here's my photo

This was taken at Land's End on my recent trip to Cornwall

People were Waiting to see the sun set and this couple were all snuggled up together 

We noticed a car in the car park with "Just Married" written all over it ... I wondered if this couple were the newly weds

My photo has been enhanced using iPhoto

Here's a few more shots 

If you click to enlarge you can probably make out the fishing boat heading for the shaft of sunlight

... There it is 

These photos were taken on my little digital camera using the zoom lens ... No touching up or enhancing here

The scene looks so warm and cosy, yet believe me it was really cold and windy at Land's End that evening!

We'd love to see your photos so if you have any that fit the prompt ... please link up with us

you have all week to do so ... 

Till soon

~ Ros ~

Working with Digitals and Happy Birthday!

Hi there ..

I mentioned yesterday that I've done a tutorial which is up on 

Our Beautiful World blog

Well, in case you are interested in how I change my images to transparencies ... like I did

for my tray ...

I've put together a simple method that I use ... Using another lovely image from 

The Graphics Fairy

This is my first video tutorial  and as I said - I am no expert, everything is self taught and I've no doubt that some of you may know a better method ... 

In answer to emails I've had I hope that my method will explain what I do and maybe give you a chance to try it out ...

Also today my sweet blog friend Stella (A little bit of the things I enjoy) is celebrating her birthday

Happy Birthday Stella!!

Yes, the card I showed you yesterday was for her ... and I'm sure she would be thrilled if you pop over to her blog and left some her love ...

A few places for you to visit

Link up your photos

Big Giveaway at Papercraft Star this week plus a New look! Check it out ...

Aways a fun challenge

Have a lovely day

~ Ros ~

Papercraft Star Challenge

Hello there ...

I am overwhelmed by all the lovely messages left  following our recent bereavement ... 

Thank you all for being there for us ... You are such good friends

Today it's business as usual with a brand new photo inspiration challenge at 

Papercraft Star

Isn't this just a beautiful shot and so very soothing I think ...

The colours are stunning, but put together they are not colours I would normally have reached for ... but I knew I wanted to go down that route and be challenged

Actually I am pleased at the result!

This card is winging it way to the Netherlands for a sweet blog friends birthday ... I hope she likes it 

I used a new embossing folder (to me) by SU which cost me a fortune in postage ... and on receipt I see why ... it came in a huge box! Not sure I will be buying from them again ... I mean it's plain silly!

The card was run through my printer having selected a digital Pink Petticoat paper "sweet apricot" from the Ombre collection and I embossed a piece of aqua/turquoise paper from my scraps

All the embellishments are from my stash ... I painted one of the shells with distress ink and hot glued a few pearls and some bling to give a 'beach' feel

(you can click to enlarge)

The sentiment is by PTI 

... and in case you missed a TIP I gave a while ago ... I keep little plastic packaging like this

which I pop over any delicate or embellished pieces on my cards that have to be sent through the mail ... that way hopefully everything stays intact

Hop over to the Papercraft Star blog and be inspired by the rest of the lovely team and please play along with us.

Can I also mention that today I have a tutorial on working with digital images up on

  Our Beautiful World blog that you may find helpful ...

Thanks so much for stopping by today ...

Till soon

~ Ros ~