Catching up

Hello!

I'm finally finding some time to spend in my creative space ... With all that's going on I've neither had the time or the inclination to do anything creative

My friend Pat came around today and that gave me the kick start I needed.

I've a few birthday's coming up ... so I've made a start with this one

Then Pat needed a baby card ... so I came up with this

In fact I've used those clouds and moon to make a couple more cards which I'll share with you another time ... Now Pat's gone and I really need to make a card for her ... It's her birthday on Monday!

I hope you are enjoying your day ... 

Till soon

~ Ros~

Inspire

Hi there!

A couple of weeks ago the amazingly talented Tracy MacDonald featured me on her Blog

She actually picked me as someone who inspires her in card making!

Can you believe it? I nearly fell over! I mean I am in awe of Tracy's talent and have been since I first 'met' her through Papercraft Star so I am honoured and humbled that she picked me ... 

Thank you Tracy!

Tracy is an artist when it comes to designing cards - A perfectionist ...  Everything ties in from papers to embellishments to create a unique masterpiece. The images she uses come to life with her awesome colouring skills ... And the fun element she often displays with sentiments that fit perfectly to the image make me laugh ... If you haven't visited Tracy's Blog you don't know what you are missing AND she has some amazing tutorials! Hurry ... get over there!

Being picked I am obliged to answer a few questions...

1. What am I working on .......  I am working on projects for my Thursday group ... I hold a craft class for up to 30 mentally and physically challenged adults ... something that I love to do but it can take up to 4 days for me to come up with an idea, collect supplies together, cut out everything that is needed and often that means a dash to the shops for more bits and pieces, glues etc., 

As well as that I am keeping ahead with DT projects for City Crafter which includes coming up with ideas for challenges. 

I am also on the team for the photographic blog Our Beautiful World and so always on the hunt for a photo and a word prompt...

2. How does my work differ from others of it genre ..... That's a tough one... I once said to another blogger that I didn't think I had a particular style and she shot me down Lol!  It's funny how you don't see yourself as others do ...  I guess my style varies ... It has a lot since I started blogging and I love to try new things ... The thing is I have to 'feel' my creation ... I let my mood and my heart take me where it wants to go... some days it's CAS, sometimes shabby/vintage and other days I just want to get inky but I think my constant is the colours I choose ... usually soft and muted and I like texture

3. Why do I create what I do.... Simply because it makes me happy! It is my escape from many things too. Creativity started when I was young ... a "needs must" sort of thing ... If I wanted a dress or something that my family simply couldn't afford, I found a way to make it - often out of a discarded item. The same goes for home decor ... I just love to pretty things up ... I was 17 before I had my very own bedroom - It was so tiny and having been brought up with brothers I had grand ideas of making it feminine and unique Lol! I only got into working with paper - cards and the like, about 6 years ago after receiving a pretty handmade card ... It was just a simple card but it meant so much to me and from there I was hooked.

4. How does your creative process work.... What process? Lol! I've never been one of those people who knew exactly what I wanted to do ... Unfortunately I tend to over think things and end up all over the place at times ... Sometimes if I have a new die or stamp or I've seen a new technique it can influence what I do that day ... But for the most part I am a slow crafter .... usually my mood dictates what I will make and I start with colours, pulling things out that I think may go together ... I end up with a stack of things and only a handful make it on to my card! If I am making something for someone in particular I like to create something I know will be meaningful to them.

Ok, So now I have to pick 2 people who Inspire me ... The truth is that everyone inspires me ... Many bloggers I follow create totally different things from me ... they have their own unique style their artistic talent blows me away ... I'm inspired by those who don't have the fancy gismos and gadgets and can make something stunning from a cereal box! I'm inspired by those of you who leave me comments and words of encouragement ... and pick me up when I'm down ... you ladies know who you are

But I have to name 2 people and here we go...

First is the lovely Kirsty Vittetoe of Handmade Little Things

Kirsty is the sweetest kindest lady who makes the most adorable mini books and albums as well as cards, gifts, and layouts ... And is a brilliant photographer too!

Everything she does has "Kirsty" stamped all over it with her unique style and mix and match of colours and embellishments and she is never afraid to share something that perhaps hasn't turned out quite as she had hoped.

The creator of City Crafter, Pixie Dust Paperie and Our Beautiful World ... She is also on other DT's ... Kirsty is super organised and a joy to work with ... A lady who loves to travel, loves all things Parisian and shares her travels with us. I honestly don't know how she combines everything she does and maintains such a high standard ... A true inspiration a dear friend and 'Mom' to the cutest little dog!

Next up is Rebecca Deeprose of Paper Primrose

I had the good fortune of meeting Rebecca in person a year ago ... A day that will always be in my heart

We sat and talked non stop like two friends who had known each other forever....

Rebecca has a fond love for all things vintage and her creations make me sigh ...  Soft and beautiful is how I would describe them... And everything is perfectly executed. They reflect the beauty this lady has inside and out. Now and then Rebecca will toss in a CAS card or a whimsical creation when you least expect it and Bam! Another masterpiece! It's no wonder she is on so many design teams and such an inspiration.

I'm in awe of her talent and blessed to have her as my friend

I hope you will take a moment to visit these ladies and you will understand why they Inspire me.

Thanks again to Tracy for giving me the opportunity to share with you

Till soon

~ Ros ~

Pumpkins - City Crafter 231

Hello...

It's a new challenge at City Crafter and this week we have the lovely Char hosting with a 

Colourful Pumpkin Challenge

Source

The challenge is to create a project that features a pumpkin which is 

any colour EXCEPT orange

So I went to my Hero Arts scarecrow digital image for this one ... He's such a happy guy and doesn't come out often ... He is pre-coloured and originally those pumpkins were orange but with a bit of magic using photoshop I was able to change the colour of the Pumpkins ... 

Here in the UK we only see orange pumpkins ... these colours are much more fun ... I printed the image a couple of times and fussy cut the pumpkins from one of the prints so I could pop them up on the card

I thought he'd look good with a little sign so I made a sort of chalkboard one for him 

Our GD this week is the talented Samra click the link and go visit her lovely Blog ... She has a wonderful style!

My fellow DT have some wonderful inspiration for you too on the City Crafter Blog ...

Thanks for your visit - Have a beautiful day

~ Ros ~

Stormy Times

Hello there...

I'm sorry I've been absent lately ... I've missed you....

 There are family issues that are taking up my time and energy

Source

I'm like the lighthouse right now as my family are being tossed by the storm ... I learned a long time ago that you cannot avoid the waves and the tide will take you no matter what you do ... Better that you can keep on treading water until the shore is in sight....

I'm hoping to be able to find time to create this week ... to turn my thoughts elsewhere for just a while

Thanks so much for your emails and your concern ... It's very much appreciated

Have a lovely day

~ Ros ~

City Crafter 230

Good morning!!

I'm hosting this week at City Crafter and the challenge I have set is to 

Focus on the sentiment

Create a card or project where the sentiment is your focal point

Inspiration photo

I've been playing a lot with Autumnal colours and my card this week features a sentiment about nature

I printed an ombre card and first stamped and embossed the BG before cutting an aperture for my sentiment which is slightly recessed

The leaves and acorns were coloured by sponging various inks onto previously white CS

Our Guest Designer this week is Laurkowa Kraina Winner of week 223 - click on her name to visit her blog where you can see her gorgeous creations

Once again we are offering a GD spot to this week's winner so I hope you'll come and play with us 

Don't forget to visit the City Crafter Blog to see the lovely creations from the rest of our team

Enjoy your day and thanks so much for stopping by

~ Ros ~

River

Hello...

I hope you're having a good weekend...

This week at 

Our Beautiful World

Manuela has chosen the prompt for us ... The word is River

Considering I live close to the River Mersey you'd think I would have quite a few photos ... but strangely enough I don't ... This one was taken when I was out walking my dog some years ago ... The tide is out but you can see the Runcorn bridge in the distance ... a kind of a landmark when returning home from a trip ... I would walk along the river bank here often ... It was always so peaceful

The next one is from my archives ... it was taken 20 years ago when I was on a boat trip along the River Thames

Tower bridge is in the background ... I spent a lot of my childhood in London and it always felt like home to me

This is a more recent one I took of my husband when we were in Cork in Ireland a couple of years ago ... this is the River Lee

It runs right through the centre of Cork

And these these next couple of shots are not technically Rivers ... But I thought they were worth sharing

A group of youngsters in Palma

A shallow river bed in Majorca

and a fjord in Norway

I hope you enjoyed seeing my photos ... We'd love you to link up yours at 

Our Beautiful World

Hop on over and take a look at the rest of the photos from around the world

Enjoy a peaceful Sunday

Till soon

~ Ros ~