Christmas Ornaments/Baubles

Hi there. I'm taking a break as I've just messed up yet another card. I don't know what's up with me lately. Anyway I thought I'd share one from yesterday's Claritystamp show on Hochanda that went more smoothly. It seems appropriate to be blogging it today as I started putting up my Christmas decorations yesterday. Have you got yours up yet?

I used a Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments die to cut out the baubles then created a little scene  in each one.

The first one features the cat and the beautiful little bird in flight (I love this one and think it's going to be used a lot!) with the Wee Trees (I chose the ones that look wintery).

I used Cobalt Archival Ink for the stamping. The cat and bird are first generation and the trees are second. 

The edge of my A4 Clarity blending mat was used to tear a copy paper mask for the hills. 

Some glitter on the trees and a ribbon to hang it from finish it off.

The second one focuses on the tree. This time I added a little moon to the sky with a Post-it mask.

The third and final one is obviously my favourite - it has a Labrador on it! She's looking out for her owner coming over the hill, although if this was Maya she wouldn't be sat there waiting patiently!

Stamps Used

Animals from the Thank You Framer Set

Wee Trees Set

Letterbox Sentiments

Before I go I just thought I'd share a couple of my old Challenge Blog makes from 2013 and 2014 again as they were among the decorations I put up yesterday.

I do love getting my decorations out again each year. The posts on them can be found here and here.  

Since I started writing this Hubby has come home and figured out how to save my card. I'm off to my craft room to see if it works. Have a good evening.

Lynne

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Simplicity 1606 Dress and Debbie Shore's Bobbi Bow Clutch Bag

Hello. I'm not entirely sure why but I've wanted to make a camouflage evening dress ever since we got married, over 26 years ago....................

...............and I've finally done it! I even made a matching clutch bag. Can you spot it?

It's camouflaged!!!!!

We had great fun at the party last night and my dress was a bit hit. It made me laugh as a couple of people thought I'd been chopping up hubby's combats! Don't worry though he's not running around with bits of his uniform missing - I did buy the fabric.

The photo above was taken at the end of the night as I was going up to bed............

................so here's a better one taken in daylight. It's a Simplicity Amazing Fit pattern (1606) and I was really pleased with how it turned out. It's not perfect but I learnt a lot and it probably fits better than my shop bought dresses.

The clutch bag is from the CD-ROM that came with issue 2 of Debbie Shore's Sew Inspired magazine. I was happy to find out that they work perfectly on my iMac - everything can be accessed through Finder, including the video links in case anyone else is wondering this.

I'll definitely be making them both again in a more normal evening style.

Before I go, don't forget that Barbara has a Claritystamp show on Hochanda this Sunday (6th Dec) at 2pm.

Lynne
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Layered Leaves

Good afternoon. It was a close call but I have just finished the hem on my dress, so it's ready to wear to tonight's party. My Clarity samples are also done and in the post so I'm happy.

This card was a bit of stamping fun - lots of masking.

I started off with the bottom right leaf and added the leaves/flowers behind it one by one, using the solid part of the stencil as a mask. 

The flowers are coloured in with Spectrum Noir pencils and I finished it off by brushing some Distress Ink though the Trellis stencil for a subtle background.

Stamps and Stencils Used

Leaf Set 2

Line Sentiments 1

Line Sentiments 2

Trellis Stencil

I might pop back tomorrow with a quick post on my dress if I get a decent photo of it. I hope you have a good evening. I think mine could be an interesting one!

Lynne

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Elegant Corners and Leaves Set 3

Hello there. I hope you're having a better day than me. I finally got started on my Clarity samples and nothing's gone right. I need to get at least one card made today or they won't get done in time..........and I still have my dress to finish................for Thursday. Calm down Lynne.

For this card I combined the Leaves 3 set with the Elegant Corners set.

I drew a guide in pencil to help me position the corner stamp for the circle, then stamped it in Imperial Purple Versafine ink. The other corners were stamped in Leaf Green Archival.

I stamped the flowers all around the edge of the card to make a mat. The ones that show are coloured in with Spectrum Noir pencils.

Stamps and Stencils Used

Leaves 3 Set

Elegant Corners

Well it's back up to my craft room for me. I am just making cards - How difficult can it be?

Lynne

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Elegant Elephant

Hi there. I've been trying to write this post all week but it's been a bit of a busy one. Hubby is out tonight though, so I thought I'd make the most of the peace and quiet.

I've been beavering away in my craft room. I've made a camouflage evening bag and started on my dress. I figured if it doesn't work out I can always use the bag with a black dress! The do is next week so I don't have long to do it and I have samples to make for Barbara's next show. Busy, busy, busy!

Did you see Paul Church's show on Sunday? I think he did a great job.

This is one of my samples from it. It was inspired by an old rubber stamp I have in my collection.

I used Grunge Paste for the elephant. When it was dry I put the stencil back in place and sponged on some grey ink. I covered the tusk up with a Post-it while I did this to keep it white. I did go around the edge of the tusk with a cream pencil to make it stand out a bit more though.

This is the finished naked elephant. He does look handsome but I thought he'd like a nice outfit.

This also gave me a good excuse to play with the corners.

For the blanket I spritzed yellow and orange Glimmer Mists through the Trellis stencil then decorated it with the corner stamps. I used a craft knife to make a slit along the ear for it to go behind. A cap and cuffs finish off the outfit.

There was a bit of a gap at the top, so that gave me the idea of having "happy birthday" come out of his trunk.

I spritzed some more card to make a nice yellowy orange mat. I just wish you could see the glimmer.

I hope you like it, it was one of my faves from this month.

Stamps and Stencils Used

Trellis

Elephant

Line Sentiments 1

Elegant Corners

Before I go, here's a sneak peek at my bag.

It's the Bobbi clutch from Debbie Shore's new magazine. I really hope the dress goes as well!

Lynne

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Santa and Star Corners

Hello. It's been a busy few days but I finally got my Claritystamp samples in the post yesterday. I therefore intended spending the day catching up on things - doing some housework etc. but somehow I ended up in my craft room ironing and cutting out some fabric for my next project. Fast forward a few hours and it's nearly finished. Oops! Still I had a lovely, productive day........just not in the way I intended.

I'll keep this post short as I'd better at least run the Dyson around before I start cooking dinner.

Today's card uses the new Santa and Star Corners Set. 

I masked off Santa and the moon then brushed on blue ink for the sky. Santa is coloured in with Spectrum Noir pencils. The Star Corners are coloured in with ProMarkers.

I then used some Sakura Stardust pens to add a bit of sparkle.

Stamps Used

Santa and Star Corners set

Don't forget - Paul Church is on Hochanda TV (Sky 663, Freeview 39, Freest 817) for 3 shows on Sunday 22nd Nov - 11am, 2pm and 6pm. 

Lynne

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Charming Ballerina

Hi everyone. I thought I'd take a break and do a spot of blogging. Hubby is away dong yet another diving course this weekend so I thought I'd have a nice quiet one doing my Claritystamp samples. It's not going very well though, hence the break. It was going well, until I got a nice wet blob on a card I'd spent quite a long time on.....................now I'm not in the mood.............but I don't have much longer to get them done as Paul's show is next Sunday.

Today's card is the last of my three ballerina cards.

The hearts (including the little one at the top) were done using a stencil from the Basic Backgrounds set and Grunge Paste. When it was dry I added ink to colour them.

The ballerina is stamped in black Adirondack ink and coloured in with ProMarkers and Spectrum Noir pencils.

"Love" is from the Word Chain 6 set. "To Dance" is stamped with the Wordpress Letters. They are stamped in black Archival ink.

I think need a coffee now and it's nearly lunch time. Poached eggs on crumpets I think.

I hope you're having a lovely day.

Lynne
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Beautiful Ballerina

Hello. I thought I'd stick with the same theme as last time and blog another ballerina card.

This also uses something that I've had in my stash for ages, just waiting for the right time to use it, some beautiful ballet themed papers by K & Company.

I matted and layered the papers and then coloured her in to match the dresses on the paper.

Stamps Used

Beauty and Charm Ballerinas

I'd better get back to work. Some new Clarity stamps are on their way and I have lots to do before they get here.

I also have a fun project to do for the beginning of December............

......................make a dress out of this MTP (camouflage) fabric. I love my two 1950s style Per Una dresses next to it and want to make something similar for one of the Christmas functions. I'm not sure if I'll be able to, or even if I'll be brave enough to wear it (I'm not one for standing out), but it's something I've wanted to make for a long time and this year is the perfect time to do it as the Christmas party isn't going to be very formal.

See you again soon,

Lynne
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Graceful Ballerina

Good evening. I thought I'd better make a start on blogging the cards that I made during my break.

This is one from October's Hochanda shows. Can you guess how I did it?

The background is based on a printed image of a stage. It's a bit of a cheat but I bought it ages ago and have been waiting for the chance to use it.

Once I'd worked out the size the stage needed to be, I stamped the ballerina where I wanted her, masked her off and then printed it over the top.

I then masked off areas...................

.................to create the spotlight.

When the masks are removed she's standing on stage in the spotlight.

I printed out another couple of sheets so that I could decoupage the curtains, then all that was left to do was colour her in and give her an Angelina Film and Fibres dress. It looks beautiful when the light catches it.

Stamp Used

Elegance and Grace Ballerinas

Before I go, I'd just like to share a photo of the dress I've mentioned in my last couple of posts.

I was blown away by all of the lovely comments it got when I put it on FB but I know not everyone is on there so I thought I'd share it here too. 

It's a Moneta by Colette Patterns and I was so pleased with how it turned out.  I don't think I'll be doing any ballet in it though.

Lynne
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Holly Bauble

Hello there. What have you been up to? I've been a busy girl the last couple of days - I got my dress finished, so that's all ready for Sunday, and I also finished my overlocker cover (a project I started a couple of months ago). Now I can get started on a sewing machine cover for my mum. Hopefully I'll be able to get that finished before my next lot of Clarity stamps arrive. Then I'll go back into card making mode...............actually I have a couple of family cards to make for next week too.

Please forgive the dodgy bits on this card - I wasn't feeling too great when I made it and it's not as perfect as I would like it to be. Hubby had kindly passed on his Man Flu, although according to him I only had Lady Sniffles which isn't nearly as serious! Anyway it used up the last of my paste, so I was unable to do it again when I felt better.  I do like the design so I sent it in anyway. 

The stencilled background is done with Iced Spruce Distress Ink. I spread Forest Green Sparkle Medium by Imagination Crafts through the stencil for the holly leaves and the berries are Berry Red Cosmic Shimmer PVA. For the top of the bauble, I pressed a Versamark pad through the stencil and then heat embossed it with Detail Silver powder.

A narrow ribbon bow finishes it off.

I'm afraid that's it for this month's new samples but this is one of my old cards using the Christmas Jumper set that was also shown on the shows. The post about it can be found here. It is a fab set. Did you go to this year's Claritystamp Open Day in Colburn? Paul Church did some fab demos with it and Angelina Fibres -making the cutest little stripey jumpers. I really must have a go. I also love the idea of personalising them. It's so versatile.

I hope everyone going to the NEC has a great time. I will get there again one day.

Stamps and Stencils Used

Festive Stencil Set

Word Chain 13

Lynne

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Cool Yule

Thank you so much for the warm welcome back. I did wonder if anyone would still be there, so its lovely to know that you are.

I had lots of fun making today's card. Mum and Dad were staying with me so Mum and I made it together.

We placed the stencils so that they made a nice design and covered the card..........

.................then spritzed them with Lavender Fields and Turquoise Blue Glimmer Mists by Tattered Angels. We went quite heavy with them to give the stencilled shapes definition.

The spritzed card has a lovely shimmer.

I created a little scene in the shape left by the bell. I do love the Wee Folk! They just make me smile. I hope they do you too.

Thanks for your help Mum. x

Stamps and Stencils Used

Wee Folk 7

Festive Stencil Set

Christmas Stencil Set

Cool Yule from the Christmas Jumper Set

I mentioned yesterday about the changes in craft TV since I last blogged. Well, there's been a lot of changes in my craft room too. Card making and sewing are now fighting for space in my craft room and for my time.

This end has gone from this..........

.......... to this.............

...... to this. Much better. Luckily I still have my other desk for my card making! When I get the time I must re-do my craft room page on here as it's rather out of date.

Speaking of my craft room, I'd better get back up there - I have a dress to finish that I want to wear to the Remembrance Sunday service. Well not so much the service, as the lunch afterwards. I have a fab long black winter coat (it must be nearly 20 years old) that comes out every Remembrance Sunday. I just pop it on for instant smartness.

Lynne
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I'm Back!

Hello, is anybody there? I'm shocked that it's been three months since I last blogged. I lost my crafty mojo for a bit but I'm feeling more positive about things and I've decided to carry on blogging.

Hasn't a lot changed in those three months! The main thing being that there are two new craft channels and Claritystamp has moved to one of them - Hochanda. I do like their relaxed pace and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Barbara's demos and classes.

This is one of my samples from last month's Hochanda show.

I made shrink plastic baubles to go on the stencilled tree. They may look familiar as the scenes are all based on the ones I did for my Wee Folk Christmas Cards.

The bauble is cut with a Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments die. I then stamped the scene with second generation Archival Ink. It doesn't matter if it's a bit blotchy as the colour really intensifies when it is shrunk.

As you can see here.

They also shrink quite a bit!

A sparkle paste gold star and a bit of glittered tinsel finish off the tree.

I'll be back soon with another sample and when I've done last month's I'll catch up with the previous ones. I also have some sewing to share as I've been really busy with that. That should keep my Crafty Little Blog going for a while.

It's great to be back.

Lynne
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Stamps and Stencils Used

Festive Stencil Set

Wee Folk 7

Wee Folk 8

Word Chain 13

Word Chain 14