Eiglas

My latest digi - 'Bobby'

2012-01-12T13:36:00.001Z

I had a call from a friend of mine who had been after a digi for a card she wanted to make. Her very good friend's baby boy is going to be one year old at the end of this month and she couldn't find a digi with a baby boy with the right looks on it.

They were, apparently, all too 'girly'! LOL! Apparently Bobby is a REAL boy and also he has these enormous ears which the family all find very endearing - his nickname is Dumbo...! (I hope they revise this little trend very soon - how to give a kid a complex!)

Having been furnished with a photograph of the little darling, I have to say that whilst he'll never be mistaken for a girl and he does have 'those' ears (!) he's still a lickle darling!

So here he is on a guest demo card I have made for C.R.A.F.T Challenge blog this week. Their theme is 'Celebrations' so that could be almost anything from the birth of a baby to a wedding. Your own choice!

Eiglas is sponsoring over there this week, so if you fancy 'Bobby', have a bash at the challenge and you can pick £6.50's worth of digi's from my site over at 'Eiglassing' and you can pick whichever ones you would like.

Look forward to seeing all your entries!

Don't forget, I'm still offering a free digi for the first five readers who ask for one!

Hugs
Ei
x

Happy New Year everyone...!

2012-01-08T20:30:00.000Z

I'm hoping to be back blogging a bit more normally now the Christmas Fayres are over with.
Don't think I'll bother much again - at least I'll have to re-think what I'm making as I sold very little.

I'm looking forward to my sponsorships - the first one is on 12th Jan with C.R.A.F.T Challenge blog. and I have to say, the previews I've seen of the cards the team have prepared are really beautiful.

The theme is 'Celebrations' so get your thinking caps on and have a look at my digis to see if there are any you fancy for the challenge.

I think, to celebrate my new relationship with C.R.A.F.T (I used to be on the permanent DT there and am still welcome there when I can) as sponsor, I am offering the first five people to comment here and ask for one, a free digi!

I will try to make a demo card before Thursday to add to the team's projects and look forward to seeing all your entries!
Hugs
Ei
x

The Craft Fayre update.

2011-12-21T01:13:00.000Z

Well, it's official - I'm rubbish at craft fayres and won't be bothering in the future!
I took about £30.00 but £15.00 for the table brought that down quick as you like and the remaining £15.00 only slightly offsets the other table charges where I took nothing at all!

Still, look on the bright side - I have a plentiful supply of gifts for the next twenty years....! LOL!

I've been a bad blogger the last few months, because of the fayres, too but I hope to be back to what passes for normal for me in the New Year as I'm sponsoring a couple of challenge blogs.

My old stomping-ground C.R.A.F.T Challenge blog are up first. A great bunch of people on this team - really friendly and helpful. This challenge blog also originated on Trimcraft, my 'home' forum and is mainly comprised of Trimmies, so I'm pleased and proud to be asked to sponsor them!

These are the C.R.A.F.T dates.

C.R.A.F.T

12th of January

12th of April

19th of July

11th of October

The second challenge blog is a fairly new (to me) one called Southern Girls.

Another top bunch of peeps with a great sense of humour and their dates will be

29th March

26th April

7 June

16th Aug

27 Sep

22 Nov

I'll be providing a prize for the winner on each of these dates and the winner gets to choose which digis they want too, so that's not too shabby, is it?

I hope you'll pop over to their blogs and have a lickle shufti!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Hugs

Craft Fayre Tomorrow at Lark Lane

2011-12-09T14:48:00.000Z

I really don't know why I bother to do these because the ones I've not been too poorly to attend on the day, are peopled with non-buying browsers.

I don't understand this because the items on offer from the other stallholders range from 'lovely' to 'exquisite'! I think we stallholders account for 98% of sales.....to each other!

If this one doesn't bring any results I shall give it up as a bad job! LOL!

I've made some new items for tomorrow's fiasco. I really hope they sell because my house is looking like an Aladdin's cave - and I don't mean the Christmas deccies either!

Her are my brooches and rings made from strong card & paper.

and my latest metal jewellery makes.

I love these little charm bracelets and hope they'll go to good homes for Christmas stockings tomorrow!

Have some more to show you soon!

Hugs
Ei
x

Lickle verse for a child to his/her Mammy

2011-11-22T23:34:00.000Z

Over on my home forum, Trimcraft, one of the Trimmies said they were having trouble finding a verse for a two year old to his Mammy so I put my keyboard to use and came up with this.

Feel free to use it as you wish (change the age/gender if you like..!). If you publish on the net or otherwise I'd really like it if you could just give a small credit 'verse by Eiglas' or something.

For Mammy
When I was younger I remember the feelings,
arms warm around me, keeping me safe
and those soft spoken words, 'Mammy's here Darling,'
making me happy and I knew it was you.

Then I got bigger, was up on my own feet,
Sometimes I'd fall over and land on the ground,
Then those soft spoken words'Mammy's here Darling'
Making me happy and I knew it was you.

Now I am talking, a little bit anyway,
I'm trying to tell you, what you want to hear,
those soft-spoken words, 'I love you Mammy'
making you happy, 'cos I'm only two.

Hope you enjoy it!
Hugs
Ei
x

Sorry, not been around so much......

2011-11-22T11:40:00.000Z

...but real life has got in the way a bit over the last couple of months and eaten into my crafting time.
Not just one thing but several - one of which is our BichPoo pup Lola's toiletting routine!

We've had about ten dogs, plus fosterlings over the years and I have never had such a hard time potty-training a dog before! This pup is the giddy limit!

I'll be out in the garden with her at some unearthly time of the night/morning freezing my butt off and acting like a loon when she finally does something worthwhile, only for her to run back indoors leaving me like a lemon in the garden and by the time I get back in, she's left a message in the hall!

I blame those damn puppy pads they use these days - they seem to give the pup the idea that it's okay to toilet indoors, but last year when the pups were born we had the 'big freeze' in the UK and I just couldn't contemplate putting such tiny pups into the snow to toilet them - it would have been like aversion therapy! LOL!

Mind you, if Charlie, Lola's Dad, had not been a naughty boy, we wouldn't have had the problem of Winter pups....grrrr!

She's been fine for a few weeks now and, to all intents and purposes, seemed to have got the message at last. Then she did it again! There's no rhyme or reason!

She was one last month so let's hope she gets the idea soon or I shall be tempted to make a pyjama case out of her...!

Crafting coming soon....I hope!
Hugs
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers - Ch 54 - Cute, with a dark twist....

2011-10-17T12:05:00.002+01:00

Although not a full-time member of the DT any longer, the team at CraftyCardMakers have been very kind and asked me to contribute when I can so, for this week's challenge, I've especially created my little kitty, in this case, in the guise of 'Count Catula' the vampire kitty!

He's available from my Eiglassing site and I've made a digital card with him this week but I will try to make a 'real' one in the next few days too.

Here he is:-

All the elements (apart from Catula) were made by various digital artists including L.Schmidt.
Hope you like him!

CCM's generous sponsor this week in the lovely Joanna Sheen, so make sure you pop over there and join in the fun!
Hugs
Ei
x

My very good friend's birthday...

2011-10-14T13:16:00.001+01:00

It was my very good friend Kathy's 50th birthday last week and to celebrate we went out for a meal at our favourite Italian restaurant The Olive Tree at Penny Lane in Liverpool.

The food was, as usual, succulent and very more-ish, although their serevings don't really allow for 'more' - you're usually stuffed before you get to the desert, which you have to ease down your gullet with a shoe-horn!

I haven't enjoyed a night out so much in recent memory, although, to be fair, I don't really 'do' going out - it interferes with my crafting too much! LOL!

I was, however, a bit stuck for inspiration for the card.
It had to be a bit special, you see, Kath being one of my all-time favourite peeps and it being her 50th, but she's not a 'Tilda' girl and I couldn't think of a starting point that didn't involve a coloured-in flower or something equally ordinary.

I wanted something amusing, as she's as mad as a box of frogs (think of a posh Victoria Wood and you're on the right track), but it had to be classy too as she's a very classy lady.

So, I came up with this. Hope you like it!

I had a similar conundrum with her present.
She has more perfume and 'goodies' than Debenhams so I decided to make her a one-off necklace and bangle set as I know she loves jewellery.

Kath is THE original Pink Lady. She even has apples of that name for her lunch!
So, there was no other colour I could use!

She absolutely adored it. Hope you like it too!
Hugs
Ei
x

Just to let you know.....

2011-10-05T13:34:00.000+01:00

I'm having a lickle half-price Sale of my digital paper-kits over at Eiglassing this week so if you fancy any of them, you've until Midnight Sunday 09/10/11 to tell me and then they're back up to normal on Monday!

Go fill yer boots!
Hugs
Ei
x

New Jewellery Section

2011-10-04T21:18:00.000+01:00

I seem to be making a fair bit of jewellery lately (...not selling any, mind...!) so I've decided a designated tab is in order. I'll leave the existing ones on my main blog but any future pieces, I'll put under the new Jewellery 'n' stuff! tab.

I've had some new ideas, so I need somewhere to put them! LOL!

I'll also put 'stuff' under there too (...whatever 'stuff' may be...! ) LOL!

Just before I go I thought I'd share a joke which was sent to me last week - I loved it!

DOG FOR SALE

A bloke is driving around the back woods of Lancashire and he sees a sign in front of a broken down cottage - 'Talking Dog For Sale '.

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the back garden.

The bloke goes into the back garden and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there.

'You talk?' he asks.

'Certainly do mate,' the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says

'So, what's your story?'

The Lab looks up and says, 'Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was just a pup. I wanted to help the government, so I told the SAS.'

'In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one ever imagined a dog would be eavesdropping.'

'I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running... but the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger.'

' I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in.

I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.'

'I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired.'

The bloke is gobsmacked.

He goes back in and asks the owner how much he wants for the dog.

'Ten quid'll do' the owner says.

The bloke says,’ten quid? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?'

'Because he's a liar' says the owner 'he's never been out of the darn garden'...! '

Hope you like it even if you already heard it!

Hugs
Ei
x

Christening Day

2011-09-27T02:29:00.000+01:00

I don't normally put family events on here - it's primarily a crafting blog - but I just thought I'd put on one or two photos to show the happy, wonderful chaos of the day!

Ada was beautiful - as always - not that you're going to see that because she was also in a somewhat mischievous mood and was not allowing any sensible pap!

See what I mean....?

....and there are loads more similarly messed up....!

and best of all......

Everyone else was fine but Ada chooses the second the shutter drops to slide out of her Daddy's grasp....!

But at least Toby was on his best behaviour....!

...despite the fact he was absolutely exhausted, he smiled and laughed all day.
He is such a little star!

It was a really lovely day - all the family had a wonderful time and the service was super - Michelle the vicar, was so welcoming and superb with the little ones, even enlisting Ada to help pour the water into the font.

I'm really hoping that other family members may have some better shots, but somehow, with the antics of Miss Bernhardt, I doubt it! LOL!
See you soon with some proper crafting!
Hugs
Ei
x

......and finally!

2011-09-23T14:49:00.003+01:00

My two wonderful grand-babbies are both being Christened on Sunday and I've finally finished their cards.
If and when I get time, I'll make the boxes too but at least the main thing is done.

Here is Ada's....

I've used a Magnolia Tilda stamp for the main image coloured with my Copics and I've used the colours of the dress she will wear. She's also going to have gold glittery shoes! Everything is from stash except the Cuttlebug butterfly and Sizzix leaf dies. The inner I have made with K&Co candy stripe paper and a Brenda Pinnock spot. All papers are edged and distressed with Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet.

and here is Toby's!

I have used a right mix of papers for this - all from stash. The plain blue and the 'fan' type pattern is Papermania and the stripe was from C&C. The image I've used is an adorable HouseMouse stamp from Joanna Sheen and I've coloured it with my Copics.

I chose the image because Toby is HUGE for his age and so very strong! I've used a Nestie label as an aperture for him to peep through. The blue die-cut half behind the image is a Tim Holtz 'Baroque' with a heart 'Mover & Shaper' in the middle. The white leaves are Sizzix and the foil heart borders were the result of my sharpening my Martha Stewart edging punch! The rosette is Tim Holtz again and everything else from stash!

I hope you like these - I'm quite pleased with them. I've also made two gift-wallets for them - all papers K&Co Baby Boy and Baby Girl.

They're well looked after children and want for nothing and Mum has enough trouble with the belongings they already have in their little cottage so a money gift will be appreciated! Hope you like them!

I've also managed to photograph a Christmas Card I made about a month ago - I couldn't find my camera-charger!

I finally got my jewellery out of the way and also finished some pressing family matters, so here is the Christmas card I've been trying to photograph for a month! LOL!

Anyway, here it is! I made the aperture by folding the lovely dp in half, allowing it to fit though my Bigshot and used the fabulous Nestability Christmas ornament die. It was a bit of a faff positioning it but effective once mastered!

I used more Nesties to make the smaller ornament and the layered snowflake. Inside the aperture I placed a piece of pearlescent card which I had embossed. It was finished off with ribbon, a couple of tags and a pearl brad.

Hugs
Ei
x

Entered for :-
Simon Says Stamp - Dies to die for
Creative Card Crew - Babies

I don't learn, do I...? LOL!

2011-09-15T01:43:00.000+01:00

Well, they say the Lord loves a tryer. I hope that's true because despite the disaster that was my last Craft Fayre, I am not going to let it put me off (...paid out too much in insurance and stuff...!) and am going to have a table again this month.

Let's face it, I'd be hard pushed to do worse than £12.50 - a net profit of minus £2.50 (...if you don't count the insurance and stuff...! If you count these I am out by hundreds......!)....! LOL!

Let's just hope there isn't the biblical deluge we experienced last time either!

I've been too poorly to make and show over the last couple of weeks but I'm determined to get back in the saddle very soon, in fact I have to as I have a few family events requiring posh cards in the very near future, so I have to get my skates on!
Hugs
Ei
x

Exciting new collaboration!

2011-09-07T23:24:00.002+01:00

Over the past few days I've been in discussion with a talented designer from Crafts-U-Print called Carol Smith.

Carol contacted me with come very complimentary comments on my digis and asked if I would allow the use of some of them on her super card-toppers, which she sells on Crafts-U-Print.

I confess to being a little sceptical at first as, really, I could do as much myself, had I the mind to, and wouldn't need to share any (very small it must be said!) profit but as I looked at her pages on CUP I became convinced that I should go for it. I did discuss it with a few of my friends, hobbyists and professional, and ended up more confusticated than before!

So, in the end I took the bull by the horns and trusted my instinct that Carol is the lovely lady she appears to me to be. I think it will possibly share my images to a wider audience and that thought makes me happy!

Here is her first creation with my image of my Very Cheeky Snowman!

Isn't that fab?

Carol has, very kindly, sent me the sheet so I was able to make up one of the possible designs with it.

The sheets Carol makes are already coloured in and come with the background scene you see here (plus others) and they come with the separate sections so you can easily decoupage them.

Here's a low-res image so you can see the layout (but thieves can't use it as it will pixillate as soon as you enlarge it). Carol's are much higher res and are a clean print.

Carol's toppers are great fun and a real boon to those with little time to spare or not confident in their colouring and they're very inexpensive!

And don't forget, if you would like the original digistamp, only I have those and Cheeky here is over at Eiglassing! in the Christmas collection. Or, just e-mail me and a download code will be sent.

Pop over and have a look!

Hugs

My first Christmas cards of the year!

2011-08-31T00:06:00.001+01:00

I've done it! I've made my first Christmas cards of the year! I'm not usually this organized, it must be said!
Here they are!

and .....

I've also made som gift-card/money/teabag wallets....

...and a couple of Maze books!

I need to make something but I just don't have the time or a good reason...! My next 'reason' is my daughter's birthday at the end of September and I've a boxful as would do for that!

I've now to make some kind of home out of the mayhem the builders have left so I feel guilty wanting to craft....!
At least this latest carpet fitter actually turned up...!
Hugs
Ei
x
PS - I've put a link in my sidebar for my Etsy shop - I'd be chuffed if you'd have a look and comment ....better still BUY something from me! The taxman's not going to recover from his laughing fit at this rate!

My Christmas cards entered for......
Christmas Stamping all year round
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge

After the event.......

2011-08-28T12:36:00.000+01:00

....and I'm totally out of pocket but enjoyed the day very much anyway!

The venue is a lovely old ex-police-station and we were in two medium-sized rooms on the ground floor. The table was a bit wobbly but once everything was out on it, it became a bit more stable!

I managed to park nearly outside the venue just whilst I unloaded (four trips) but then had to park up a short walk away as I was on yellow lines.

All would have been well ( and mostly was..) if the heavens hadn't opened and a biblical-scale deluge of rain hadn't come bucketing down, soaking me to the skin !
Thank goodness I managed to get my stock inside before the worst of it hit! Cards and rain are not a good mix!

Unfortunately, this mini-monsoon lasted most of the day and kept footfall to a minimum. I don't think we had over thirty peeps in all day.

On th bright side, I had 'won' one of the demonstration tables and so was able to spend my day making up more jewellery.....not that I got much made as I'd just got two new toys in the morning post - a 'Thing-a-Ma-Jig' and wire-twisting Gizmo.

The latter is especially welcome as it saves my fingers a lot of grief from the wire-work! I actually spent twice as much on these pieces of vital equipment, than I took, and they weren't at all expensive!

I only sold two items - a £2.50 Gift-card/money gift wallet and a small £10.00 charm bracelet! That won't keep the wolf from the door and may, indeed, cause the taxman to die laughing!! LOL!

I have to say though, that I thoroughly enjoyed myself anyway and would like to thank my lovely daughter-in-law Dani for coming with me to 'help'! (hehehehe..!)

She was charming company and her artistic eye was imperative to the success of the mission (...photos will follow shortly...!)

The other table-holders were lovely - very welcoming and helpful. I look forward to doing it again and next time should be easier as everything is set up now. My stock is all labelled and on a spread-sheet, my cards and jewellery all bagged up and priced.

I suspect though, despite my enjoyment, I will not be the next Alan Sugar anytime soon.......!

Hugs
Ei
x

Craft Fayre Tomorrow......

2011-08-26T20:00:00.001+01:00

....and I'm bricking it! LOL! I'm also looking forward to it as I really want to know if anyone would buy my stuff! They'd better - it's cost me a fortune!

I also have a new Etsy shop here although it's only got one bracelet in at the minute! I thought I'd wait and see what I'm left with tomorrow but I'm quite excited because I've got back into my jewellery making. I don't yet have access to 'proper' metalworking facilities, so no proper rings etc. yet, just the bought blanks for now, but I've taken up wirework again and although a bit rusty, it'll soon come back.

Here's a small selection of some of the items I've made. I have loads more on the go and even more ideas but not enough time to make them real for this one. Might for the September one though!

and a couple of cards too...!

My 'Leaping Deer' whitework card....

..........and a tri-fold card with bookmark.

There are loads more items - these are just a few of the new ones.
Off to finish my preps now!
Hugs
Ei
x

Not been on for a couple of weeks.......

2011-08-16T01:29:00.000+01:00

...because I've been really busy!
Apart from losing the best part of a week to tonsillitis, I've been making stuff for my craft fayre and we've been messed about something rotten by the builders - he didn't come back to finish the job off and so we've had to swap over to decorating the front room instead.

My Michael has been a marvel, hanging the beautiful wallpaper Beverley bought for us. You'd never believe he's only ever hung paper on one bedroom wall before - he's done a most marvellous job!

We did run a bit short of paper though and not wanting to pay £55.00 for half a drop, I got busy with the decoupaging scissors on the off-cuts! LOL! See, it comes in handy being crafty! You can't tell unless you're looking for it and the curtains will cover most of it anyway.

Once I clear the debris away in my craft-room, I'll try to photograph what I've made and put some of it on here. I've no doubt most of it will remain after the craft fayre! LOL!

My nephew Richard and his wife had their second son this week too - no name yet - a brother for Benjamin.

I also had a lovely day yesterday. My friend from Oz, Jenny, came home for a visit and I was able to connect with her for Sunday lunch at the local pub. It was great fun - she hasn't altered a bit in about twenty two years! Just as mad..... LOL! I'll upload a couple of pix when my other mate sends them to me.

That's all for now - I'll be back on later with some projects - I hope!
Hugs
Ei
x

Good news (..maybe!)! and some bad.......

2011-08-02T09:40:00.000+01:00

First the bad news, well it is for me anyway.

If I still had tonsils, I'd have tonsillitis - not sure what it's called when you've had them removed (...well, mostly - the surgeon kindly left me a little of the tonsil tissue as a memento of my horrible sore throats I used to suffer before they were removed 40 years ago...!) but I have all the same horrid symptoms!

This is a blow, as I was due to my last Weight Loss meeting today and I just can't go. Apart from feeling unsafe to drive whilst my head is swimming so, I don't want to pass it around all the lovely peeps I've met over the last 12 weeks.

I've just got up to telephone them to let them know and to have a Lem-Sip and now I'm going back to my pit.

....oh! The good news...? I'm doing my first craft fayre in over twenty-five years on 27th August! Brave yes...?

I'll give more info later on - got to go to my bed just now.......
Hugs
Ei
x

CCM Challenge 51 - Butterflies

2011-07-25T14:07:00.000+01:00

This week at Crafty Cardmakers the theme, chosen by Melly, is everyone's favourites - Butterflies!

I've chosen Tilda this week to assist with my butterflies! Both she and her dog have one and there are several fluttering in the meadow behind them! In case that wasn't enough, there are two die-cut butterflies crusted with stickles top left and a goldtone charm.

My lovely fabric-look papers were from C&C, believe it or not, one of their rare bargains.

You can't see much of the base paper, which is a shame because it's quite lovely, with fairies, butterflies and pink bindweed on a textured ground.

I coloured Tilda, her dog and the meadow in a mix of Copics, Marvy-le-Plume and Stickles!

Hugs.

CCM Spot 50 - ATC's

2011-07-18T01:34:00.001+01:00

Team-mate Judie has chosen ATC's as the theme this week at Crafty CardMakers.

If you're not familiar with them, they are credit-card sized pieces of art made entirely to taste.
ATC-ers often make a run of them in a theme and usually, they are swapped with other ATC makers

I've made three as I wasn't entirely convinced any of them would suit! LOL!
The first two are, clearly, a Liverpool theme and the last one a kitty-themed one.
I haven't made ATC's for ages and I know the more I make in a batch, the better they get so Judie's probably catapulted me into an ATC-making frenzy! LOL!

I made absolutely loads of these a couple of years ago - some of them quite intricate - but I just don't have the space to store them or the swaps! With that in mind, the first to request them gets them! LOL! They're both part of themed series and signed.

I hope you like them but if you pop over to Crafty CardMakers, the rest of the team have created som lovely works and will show you how it's done!
Hugs
Ei
x

Two bereavement cards

2011-07-17T15:49:00.001+01:00

Sadly, my son's girlfriend lost her Mum last week-end. Bereavement is always sad but Jenny only lost her brother last year and that's a lot of bereavement for a young woman of only twenty-four.

She's a lovely, kind lass who would do anything for anyone and has been the mainstay of her own family since she was very young.

I hope fate lets up on her now and leaves her in peace for a while.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Having made such a pig's ear of last week's CCM challenge, I thought I'd try another OLO card, so here it is.

and my second one has one or two extra layers.....

The stamps used on both cards are my own Eiglas stamps (one clear - Briar-Rose and one digi - Freesia) and coloured with Marvy permanent and Copic markers.

Base cardstock is Stardream pale pink pearlescent.

The verse, 'Memories Are Precious' is my own too.

Hope you like them.
Hugs
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers Challenge 50 - One Layer Cards

2011-07-11T01:20:00.004+01:00

.......Phew....! Sounds simple and easy doesn't it? The more I do these demo cards following other peeps (thanks Gillyflower!) themes, the more I realize how much I stick to my comfort zone!

I have none no more than half a dozen single-layer cards in my life - I discovered 3D foam squares very early on and fell in love with the dimensional look!

For this one I dusted off one of my very precious D.Morgan stamps from, the
now-defunct, 'Stamps Happen' rubber stamp company.

The nature of the one layer card is that I couldn't use my normal Copics-friendly card as it's too light to stand unaided as a card and the uncoated stock card does notlike markers - they bleed all over the place - so I masked and airbrushed the background, sky and sea and used my Lyra pencils and Sansodor for the house and the green border.

It took me four goes to get this in any semblance of 'right'.....and it still isn't! LOL!

I will do this again, if only to master it! I don't like to be beaten by a 'genre'!

Please do join in with us over at Crafty Cardmakers this week - it's not only fun amongst friends but you could win a lovely £10.00 voucher from Joanna Sheen!

So, what more do you want? Get over there!
Hugs
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers Spot 49 - Masking

2011-07-03T21:57:00.002+01:00

I've been wanting to try my Copic Airbrushing system for some months but kept putting it off so when this theme came up at Crafty CardMakers Spotlight, I could prevaricate and procrastinate no longer! Thank you Jack! LOL!

I just tore a piece of white card in a vaguely 'hills & mountains' kind of profile and used the edges of both, right and wrong way up to create masks and sprayed colours through my Copic markers.

In addition, I have used a Magnolia image of rope, a tour Jeep and tickets.
The wooden 'bridge' is real veneer and alpha from stash (Brenda Pinnick I think). Please excuse the abysmal photo - my OH's rubbish camera again. Hopefully I'll get mine back tomorrow.

Hope you like it! I'll remember to photograph the next one, promise...!
Hugs
Ei
x

Entered for:

Allsorts - Free & Easy - 133

My latest digistamp - Morgan Le Fay

2011-06-28T02:42:00.001+01:00

I love the Arthurian legends and have read a good few books on the subject so when I was wanting a new genre to draw images for, this popped into my head!

Morgan Le Fay, so the legend goes, was the daughter of Uther Pendragon and he was also the father of Arthur, although Arthur was unaware of their siblingship as Uther had come to his mother under a 'glamour', she believing him to be her husband Gorlois.

There are then differing views on what and how Morgan was by the time Arthur met her but I believe that as Christianity was still the 'new' religion and paganism of the time had festivals at which it was ritual for the reigning 'goddess' priestess to unite with the representative of the 'god' at a set time in order to assure fertility in the land, that Morgan and Arthur were these in roles.

Arthur was Christian enough to have run a mile had he known it was his sister but to the Pagans and Druids, at this special time of the calendar, Arthur and Morgan were no longer their earthbound characters but assumed the guise of the god and goddess, so no harm was done in their eyes. Indeed any child of this union was considered a great gift and blessed and was usually given to the preistesses at their dwelling to raise as another Priestess or Druid.

Anyway, enough of the historical literature lesson! LOL!
Here she is!

If you like her, she's available on my showroom site Eiglassing or you can just e-mail me and I'll either send her on to you or give you a download code.

Hope you like her!
Hugs
Ei
x

Entered at :
CMC Copics Challenge Group - Folds 13

Crafty CardMakers #49 - Spots and Stripes

2011-06-27T13:37:00.006+01:00

This week's theme from Crafty CardMakers is Spots & Stripes which was chosen by our Donna!

I would never normally combine spots & stripes per se as I usually have quite a fussy style to begin with but I may just try this again! I had a slight problem with my glue not setting - probably the heat - so I didn't quite do everything I wanted to do with this card.

Papers are DCWV and a doily, flowers a mix of Prima, Wild orchid and poundshop.

The image is my own Eiglas 'Un bon repas pour deux' (which can be found at my showroom, 'Eiglassing' ) coloured with my Copics.
The lovely 'crossover' card shape was featured on Top Tip Tuesday last week but I didn't get my mojo to work in time and so missed it. Fussy & Fancy's Diane has also made a crossover card this week - it's clearly an 'en-trende' technique!

My number three son, Rob has pinched my camera so I've had to use his Dad's 'orrible little 'point and click'. You can't half tell the difference! The digital artifacts are all over the place. Yukkk!

is our lovely sponsor this week and they're offering £10.00 to spend in their super shop!

Please do pop over to CCM - the girls have worked really hard on their demo cards this week and you will be inspired by the beautiful results!

Hugs

x

Entered for:

Fussy & Fancy - Diane
KB Cute Monday - Flowers 3
Make It Monday - Anything Goes 29
Ooh La La - Summer Flowers 7

Penny Black card, with doodles , for Copics Creations

2011-06-23T20:20:00.002+01:00

I haven't entered very many challenges over the last 12 months or so - my DT work and family life has kept me so busy, I found I wasn't doing anything purely for me or doing any challenges.

I also want to concentrate a little more on my Digital Paper Kits and my Digital Stamps as I have loads of ideas for them but no time to put them into action!

With this in mind, I have, sadly and after much deliberation, taken a leave of absence from Tip Top Tuesday, at least for a few months. They're a great bunch of girls and very talented - I am sure they will manage very ably without li'l ole me! Please do still pop over to see them every Tuesday!

My OH is on leave from work until October so he is also making more calls on my time and my daughter and the grandchildren are here at least three days a week now so by the time they go home I'm fit for nothing! LOL!

As well as all this, I want to explore my Copics obsession a bit more! I've bought a couple of sets of Trias and bartered with a friend for some ProMarkers and I want to do a 'marker taste-test' with these and the Marvy-Le-Plume Permanent markers! That should be very interesting! I am a self-confessed Copics girl, but only because these were the very first (...and only...!) 'proper' markers I have ever tried - I have an open mind!

I made this card purely because I love the subject (Penny Black stamps), I love doodling and Copics Creations is one of my very favourite challenge blogs.

I roughly inked up a plain white scalloped card with Tim Holt's Antique Linen Distress ink and also a random sand-coloured pigment inkpad from stash then I dredged it with TH's Distress Powder in Antique Linen again, blasting with the heatgun and rubbing off some of the release crystals (but not all!) after it was cool.

I then used my Copics in differing shades of brown and pink to doodle my flip-flops, starfishes, shells and crabs.

I have quite a few PB's - had them for years - and this stamp is my Penny Black wood-mounted 'How becoming!' stamped in Memento and I've decoupaged him after colouring both the background and the cat with my Copics.

Apart from the addition of the blue cord at the spine, that's it! I just didn't want to add anything else!

I hope you all like it!
Hugs
Ei
x

Entered for:
Paper Creations Ink - Beach Themed 17

Crafty CardMakers Spot 48 - Sentimental

2011-06-20T03:54:00.001+01:00

This week at Crafty CardMakers, the spotlight is on the real focus-point of any greeting card...the sentiment.

For my sentiment this week, I wanted to use something that really is a true-ism for me and I'd come across this quote by 'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams a few months ago so had it in my mind before the theme was even chosen.

I made the quote myself and mounted it with a Nestie and a Tim Holtz die.

The backing paper is from stash and I would be very grateful if anyone could identify it for me as I love it but only have a little piece left.

The strange ribbon I picked up in North Wales a couple of years ago - I can't even guess what it's meant to be for but I liked it so bought a few yards.

This theme has brought out the philosophical side to my team-mates and it really would be worth your while popping over to Crafty CardMakers Spotlight for a look at their wonderful work! Some great quotes for you to steal...! LOL!

Hugs

Top Tip Tuesday - Open Challenge/ Welcome the New DT Members

2011-06-14T08:57:00.006+01:00

It's a special week over at Tip Top Tuesday this week - we have new DT members!

To celebrate, we're having an 'Open' challenge - do what thou wilt!

We also have a selection of sponsors - Robyn's Fetish and StitchyBear Stamps, who have been so kind as to give the DT some of their lovely digital images to use.

I've used Kelly Kid's 'Dog & Boy'. I think it's a fab image and enjoyed colouring it with my Marvy-Le-Plume Permanent Markers.
The papers are DCWV from The Pets Stack.

Hope you like it!

Do pop over to Top Tip Tuesday as there's loads going on over there this week and you have no excuse not to enter, have you!
Hugs
Ei
x

I've entered this into :-

Papertake Weekly - Dads and Lads
Secret Crafter - Male
Alphabet Challenge - Father's Day or Male
Mami Doodles - Male
The Stampman - Boys & Men

Colour Create - Blue, Silver & Purple

2011-06-09T14:14:00.001+01:00

I don't enter challenges very often but I do like Colour Create Challenge and this week their challenge has one of my favourite colour combos of purple and blue with silver.

I've also entered a colouring competition at Letraset so I've used the same image of the Capri, on a card for my son Michael who has a birthday next week, in the required colours.

It's coloured, of course, with my trusty Copics!
Hope you like it!
Hugs
Ei
x

Letraset Colouring Competition

2011-06-08T16:06:00.000+01:00

As you will know, I'm a Copics gal, but only because I found them first - I've never used Pro-Markers so I really don't know how they perform.

I'm hoping to correct this at some point by performing a 'taste test' with PM's but as I don't have any, this may take a while! LOL!

However, in the meantime, Letraset have just posted a colouring competition with a set of ProMarkers as the prize - guess who just entered.....?!

No doubt there will be hundreds or even thousands of entries of a very high standard, so don't hold yer breath....!

But why not have a go yourselves! I've given you a tutorial so try it out!

There are two images, a Classic Ford Capri sports car and a rollerboot, and you can enter each image once, so that's two entries.

Here's my Capri.

I really enjoyed this as an exercise, if nothing else so do have a go!

Hugs

Top Tip Tuesday - More Than One Fold

2011-06-07T08:49:00.005+01:00

This week over at Top Tip Tuesday, my lovely and talented fellow teamie Heike has created:-

Heike's Tutorial - Little Teabag Booklet
I was so impressed with Heike's tut, I just had to have a go despite it not being 'my' week!

What a great tut - straight forward and easy to understand.
I especially like this project because I am actually a tea-drinker but I don't drink ordinary tea, I drink either Earl Grey or Lady Grey and most places don't carry it so I do actually carry a few Earl Grey tea-bags around with me.

How much nicer to carry them around in such a pretty and stylish way!

Have a go at Heike's tutorial over at Top Tip Tuesday - it's such an easy project and a really clear tutorial in TWO languages and it doesn't have to be for tea-bags - could be for a gift-card or money.

My papers are K&Co 'Hannah' and the lickle bird is Tim Holtz.

Hugs

Crafty Cardmakers Spot 47 - Parchment

2011-06-06T08:16:00.002+01:00

I've not done much parchmentcraft - I'm not the patient type! LOL!
But I do admire it when it's done well and I know a few uber-talented crafters who perform this discipline the way it's meant to be performed - beautifully (...listen up Tina - I'm talkin' ta YOU!..)!

Unfortunately - I'm not one of those crafters so must apologize for my effort forthwith!

My Crafty Cardmakers teamie Jacki is to blame for this week's dog's breakfast...LOL! But you do need to pop over to base-camp and look at how this is meant to be done!

Materials
21 x 21 cm hammered white base-card
20 x 20 cm backing paper from stash
A5 x heavy parchment (not vellum - too light)
A5 Rainbow card
Parchment pattern
Butterfly charm
Organza ribbon
Tim Holtz bookplate in cream
Handful of flowers to taste.
Gold-Touch pen
Embossing/pricking mat
Pricking tools
Embossing ball-tip tools
Good-quality white coloured pencil - (Bruynzeel Europa is mine)
Copics

Begin by placing your parchment over your pattern and tracing it with the white pencil. This will make life easier for you when you come to emboss and prick later on. It's a matter of taste as to whether the white pencil is on the 'right' or 'wrong' sides.

Greasing the 'wrong' side of your parchment with either a candle (tealight will do) or soap helps the embossing tool to glide over the parchment better. (If you want to colour your parchment from behind then colour before you grease). For this project, I coloured from the front.

With your parchment on your embossing mat, take your embossing tool with the larger ball, gently trace over the white lines of the pencil.

What you are doing is 'stretching' the fibres of the parchment, so be really gentle with it as it's easy to push straight through the parchment if you go too hard.
You can always pass over again until you get the desired result.

On the leaves and petals use circular motions at the full and rounded parts then drag the ball in, in a 'feathering' motion for the shading like you would in colouring, although it's not exactly like colouring as it's not the darker parts you're shading this time, it's the 'highlit' parts! So it's kinda back-to-front!

Once you're happy with your embossing, do any pricking (if any) that's required.
I believed this is performed from the back, so as to create texture on the front, but have been corrected by better crafters than I and apparently it should be from the front!.

I then used my Copics (pale pink and green) to colour the floral pattern. This is not essential as many embossed parchment projects are just as lovely, if not more so, left white.

I then cut around the perimeter of the pattern with my scissors and edged it with my Gold-touch pen. This step isn't strictly necessary, but I've read about it so I thought I'd try it. Think I prefer it plain actually.

I also adhered it to a piece of rainbow card with sticky-dots round the edge and a fairly big couple of blobs of Pinflair Glue Gel right in the middle to give dimension.
You really can't see either of these through the embossed and coloured panel.

And that's my parchment done! I think you can work out the rest yourselves!
LOL!

Look forward to seeing your efforts on Crafty CardMakers next week!
Hugs
Ei
x

Top Tip Tuesday - Maze Book/Wrap it up with ribbon

2011-05-31T08:46:00.000+01:00

It's my turn to provide a tutorial for you all this week at Top Tip Tuesday and it's one of my favourites - a Maze Book.

I first learned this project from an American site - TV Weekly (not sure if it's still up and running or not - must look!) a few years ago and I was so chuffed with it at my first attempt, I've made a few of them now. They're great as a little memento of a night out or a new baby or...well, just about anything really!

Maze Book

This Maze Book, is a miniature book using a single sheet of 12" 12" paperstock and a few scraps.

All it takes is a little bit of folding, three simple cuts, some good gluing techniques and the basic book is ready for photos and embellishments. This lickle book makes a great gift or a pocket-sized scrapbook to show off those holiday photos, babies, pets or a great night out!.

Please read the whole project before beginning to craft as there are a couple of alternative ways of using this book and it’s best to know which one you want to make before starting!

For the first one you are best using a double-sided 12 x 12 as you will see both sides of the paper.

For the second one you could also use double sided or you could cheat like me with single-sided and put a few little liners in!

Materials

Patterned 12 x 12 heavy-ish scrap-sheet A to taste x 1 (ds if perferred)
Plain greyboard or similar 4” x 4” x 2
Patterned paper B 4.5” x 4.5” x 2
Quantity of patterned paper B for cheat’s way.
Bone Folder
PVA Adhesive
Foam Brush
Cutting Mat
Craft Knife
Ruler
Ribbon x 1 yard
Embellishments and photos to suit
Narrow ds tape

Method

Fold the 12 x 12 sheet in half. Use a bone folder to reinforce the fold.

Fold the two edges back to the outside of the fold, making the page into long quarters.

Fold this again into quarters the other way. Reinforce the folds with the bone folder.

You should have a 3” square of folded paper.

Open your paper out. Your paper should look like this

Open the scrap-sheet. Your 12 x 12 should have sixteen squares marked by creases.

Cutting the “maze”.

Unfold the cardstock on top of a cutting mat. Lay a ruler along the right vertical crease. Using a craft knife, cut along the right vertical fold using the ruler as a guide. Start at the top horizontal fold and cut all the way to the bottom edge.

Make a second identical cut along the left vertical fold. Make a third cut along the middle fold, but this time start cutting from the top edge and stop cutting when you reach the bottom horizontal fold. The cuts in the cardstock form an “M”.

Now fold the cardstock into the book pages.

Start folding from one end along the creases. When you reach the top of each section, fold the stack over to the next, following the natural fold.

Continue to fold into a square following the creases you made .

Set the pages aside.

The End-Boards

Take one of your grey-board squares (..mine are actually small pieces of cream illustration board..) and one of your patterned paper B squares.

(I'd use an old magazine or layout pad to do the pasting on so you can just tear and throw away the page - less messy!)

Place the board on the paper and score around it. This 'teaches' the paper which way you want it to bend when you've glued it.

Before you glue, cut off a tiny bit of the point of each corner of the board. Makes a tidier corner when covered.

Make a 'squiggle' of PVA on the board and using your foam brush, spread it from the centre outwards, then offer the board to the centre of the paper.

Before you glue the flaps, take your scissors or knife and cut off the corners of the paper approx 16th of an inch away from the board (not like I did - I cut them off after gluing because I forgot! LOL!)

There should be enough PVA on your foam to run it round the exposed paper but if not, add just a LITTLE more and wipe it around the edges pushing it gently into the edge of the board. Now fold the flaps over and smooth them down using the point of your bone-folder to tuck the corners in (like when gift-wrapping). Repeat on second board and put aside to dry.

Variation one - pockets

Take up your pages again and if you want to make fewer pages but have pockets in them now's the time to do it as it's harder to 'play' with the pages once they're stuck together and the ends are on. I used my scalloped punches to make little openings and because my paper is single-sided I had to make little 'liners' from the contrasting paper to pop behind the apertures. This is where you may prefer to use a double-sided paper so you don't have to make these liners.

Once you're happy with this, take your ds tape and create your pockets. One or two are sideways ones, so don't think you've done it wrong when you come across them!

Variation two - long maze.

This one is easy! Your maze is made! Just decorate and embellish to taste.

Adhere the end-boards

Place your two boards patterned side down and evenly placed on your magazine again.

Squiggle your pva and spread again.

Place your ribbon across the two end-boards then place your pages in the centre of one board over the ribbon.

Place the other end-board on top and manipulate your ribbon to suit.

Fill your pockets with tags, photos tickets etc.

Your Maze-Book is finished!

(my photo corners are all silvertone - don't know why they look gilt in the photo!)

I hope you enjoy making this book - I love them and once you get the hang of them, they take minutes to make!

Don't forget to pop over to Top Tip Tuesday to get some inspiration from the team !

We have two fab sponsors over at TTT this week

and

so be sure to pop over to their places to have a good old nosey!
I've also made a card utilizing one of Digital Delights fun images - a lickle mouse enjoying a coffee! I'll send this to a friend I haven't seen for a while, inviting her for coffee!

Sorry the photo isn't very good - I'll try to get on in daylight tomorrow but I'm going to be busy again until Wednesday so don't hold yer breath.....! LOL!

See ya next week!

Hugs

...oh my goodness...what a week!

2011-05-30T14:16:00.001+01:00

...talk about meeting yourself coming back! LOL!

I often state (...NOT complain, mind you...!) that my OH and I 'don't smoke, don't drink, don't go out anywhere, don't spend much on clothes or beauty salons etc...'
as an explanation of why I think I deserve my (sometimes costly) craft addiction.

Now my timetable this week will probably cause sneers of derision from some of you younger, fitter peeps out there but remember I've been retired for about five years and the OH is doing a 'part-time after retirement' job - we're a pair of old wrinklies!

This week's timetable has looked something like this:-

Monday :- Gotta get up early to get my project on for Crafty Cardmakers. I had to make it last night because I was too busy at the week-end with visitors and needed to photograph it in daylight!
Then there's the big shop. Monday is Nic's day off and he LOVES to shop (yukk!) so we end up in every pound-shop and Home Bargains type shop between here and Widnes. This week he was hunting down garden and bird type stuff! I then had the usual house type stuff, feeding him and taking him to work in the evening.
I get back and make my project for tomorrow's Top Tip Tuesday because I was too busy with visitors at the week-end!

Tuesday morning :- up early again to put on my blog write-up for Top Tip Tuesday (...must try to get ahead on these projects...!) I'm not actually playing this week but I still try to do write-ups for my DT's.
9:00 am - I go to physio which includes an hour of physical jerks (ouch!)
Tuesday pm I get the grandbabbies - lovely, but knackering! Then the usual tea-time cut & thrust and taking Nic to work.

Wednesday:- 8:15am- off to new hospital for Glucose Tolerance test. This delightful experience includes a disgusting glucose gloopy drink and a two hour wait between blood-tests. Fun eh?
pm - I actually get a couple of hours before Nic gets up to do something for myself. What did I do...? Fall asleep! On my keyboard!
Then the usual tea-time routine and getting Nic to work.

Thursday:- Bev chose today to come to visit with both babies! I printed out some photos of them for her photo-frames and she did my hair colour for me. There is a fair amount of 'blonde' coming through now, so I need Bev to make sure I don't miss any!

We're actually going out tonight!

A bit of background:-
Our number three son Rob, is a talented musician and from the age of 14 had his own bands. His first band was Happy Accident who were phenomenal for their age.

At 15, Rob was writing songs a professional songwriter would be proud of and this band of lovely lads included Allan William Jones, the drummer. As a youngster, Allan was as cute as a button - small and dark like a little pixie and by their teen-years he had all the girls after him but he was only interested in his drums .......and his skateboard!

Well, that was fifteen years ago! LOL! Then I got a 'poke' on Facebook. Allan was still drumming and playing in Liverpool with a band called 'Red Scare' - would we like to come and see them? Would we ever! How could we not? I was the band's roadie for about four or five years - I wouldn't miss this for the world!

So, off we went to Mello Mello, in the heart of Liverpool hoping we wouldn't, at our great age, look too out of place! There was nothing to worry about at all - it was a boho-style cafe-bar and the clientele was eclectic to say the least! We weren't even the oldest in there!

Great atmosphere and the band were slick and tight with Allan - still adorably baby-faced at 30 despite his new beardy look - a real professional on those skins!

It was so lovely to catch up with him and his parents (they used to be Happy Accident groupies too!) but I had no voice at all the next day, which was a bit of a bummer because I had my Copics Certification course at 10:00am over at Warrington!

Friday:- Got up early - no voice to speak of, got ready and drove to Warrington for my course. I knew where to go because I'd attended the preceding module
there last November.

Had a great day there with Wendy and the other girls and came home tired but happy, thinking 'Well, at least we have Saturday at home.'

By now the dogs were taking themselves off to their beds as soon as I came down the stairs with 'grown-up' clothes on (they're used to me slobbing about in jeans and t-shirts and crocs and know if I'm dressed up we're off out!)! They weren't happy!

I got home and there, in the porch, was a letter. I opened it. My cousin had only gone and got hitched and was having a reception on Saturday....! Aaaarrrgghhhh!

Somehow, I managed to sort an outfit, buy a present and make a card, as well as all those other annoying things we have to do every day that don't include CRAFTING or RELAXING!

The wedding was lovely! And it was like a grand in the hand seeing our Kim looking so beautiful and meeting up with all the family again......the dogs were NOT impressed!

Sunday we dragged ourselves out of our bed, hauled ourselves to the park with the dogs, fell asleep over our cornflakes, didn't bother going shopping despite the empty fridge, I had to make a start on some DT projects but didn't get time to finish them because........WE WERE GOING TO A CONCERT AT 7:30PM!

Our lovely, beautiful, kind, generous daughter had bought Nic tickets to see Roger Hodgeson, singer-songwriter and erstwhile frontman of Supertramp, for Christmas and it was for Sunday night!

To say I've never felt less like going out is a colossal understatement! I was knackered! So was Nic. The dogs weren't speaking to us already!

I can't describe the look of reproach shot at me from Charlie the Poodle as I came downstairs, once again in tidy clothes! He didn't even bother to try and jump up and lick me, he just pushed past me and went to bed!

Still, they'll get over it!

I didn't really know what to expect of the concert. It's been thirty years since I last saw Supertramp. I hate seeing great artistes in their declining years if they are no longer in possession of that 'spark' that made them great. It makes me sad. And Roger used to be in possession of a falsetto that would make a choirboy's eyes water!

I needn't have worried! The concert was amazing! It was just like listening to the cd - not a flaw in sight and Roger's 'new' band is equally amazing.

The audience was in the palm of his hand and erupted to standing ovation time after time.

He will long remember playing Liverpool, I can promise you! Especially when half of the crowd, in unison, started to chant 'Roger is a Scouser, Roger is a Scouser ...na na na na, na na na na...!'....a great accolade in my city.

Then we came home, had some supper and Nic went, thankfully, to his bed.
I, on the other hand, had projects to finish.......!

....oh, and I forgot to mention - 7:45pm Saturday, just before leaving for the concert, a good pal turned up at our house and asked Nic to put together two flat-pack chests of drawers before Sunday night....!

It's been a mad, tiring but fun week! I wouldn't want to repeat it too soon, mind you...! LOL!

I have to sign off now - Nic's home and he'll want his lunch about now!

Have a lovely, enjoyable Bank Holiday everyone!
Hugs
Ei
x

I have finally been certified..........!

2011-05-27T19:15:00.001+01:00

....no, you naughty reader, not as insane, but as a Copics Designer!
How cool is that!?

I have to tell you that as well as being instructive, Wendy Kadzidlo of Stamps & Memories is such a lovely lady that she made the course very enjoyable too - I'd do one a week if money was no object! LOL!

The other ladies in the group were really lovely and we all got on so extremely well that I'm sure we shall keep in touch.

I spent a fortune on 'stuff', of course but I needed it all and what the heck - it's not every week and there are no pockets in shrouds!

So, if anyone is interested in learning about how to use or improve their Copics skills, I will be able to offer classes in Liverpool as soon as I work out some lesson plans.

Should you be interested, please e-mail me and I'll start a list of convenient dates.

Woohoo! I'm so pleased with myself - if I was a piece of chocolate, I'd eat meself! LOL!

Hugs,

Top Tip Tuesday - Use two or more stamped images

2011-05-24T03:40:00.005+01:00

Our lovely teamie Maggie has thought up this interesting theme for this week at Top Tip Tuesday.
It's not my week to join in with the fun, but I may well do one anyway as it's such a good theme!

Pop over to TTT and have a look at Maggie's fab tutorial if you're not sure how to do this - it's explained so well you'll be knocking them out by the score!

Gonna be checking up on you...!
Hugs
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers - The Challenging Challenge!

2011-05-23T03:25:00.003+01:00

What a bright idea Gill at Crafty CardMakers has come up with - challenge us to do something we're not good at! LOL! Well, with me that could cover all sorts!

I have a real problem using peel-offs. I don't care for them in general (...for me...) and use them only in moderation, but I've got a shedload of them in my room!

So here I've used them but in a different way. I placed the peel-off on some gloss-coated card (Astrolux) and brayered over it with my Big 'n' Juicy pads.

In the first one, I left the peel-off on and in the second one I removed the peel-off of the large rose before brayering over with a darker ink then removing the butterfly & the smaller rose.

You can layer like that a few times (..make sure you take off some of the sticky first so the peel-off doesn't damage the card...) before removing the last of the peel-offs to expose the original card colour. You can even use the same peel-off in
another position if you're careful.

Hope to see all your inspired entries next week! LOL!
Hugs
Ei
x

Top Tip Tuesday - One for the Kids!

2011-05-17T10:29:00.001+01:00

I'd already written all this and scheduled it but Blogger's little emergency in the week claimed it so I've had to try to remember what I wrote!

Well, we've all got them or have been one and this week at Top Tip Tuesday my lovely teamie.... has decided to give this week's challenge over to matters of the kiddie-kind!

Which is fine by me - doting Nanna that I am...! LOL!

I've decided to use this digi-stamp of my own Eiglas brand showing Rapunzel either hauling her Prince Leopold into her lair to have her wicked way with him or trying to shove him back out saying '...you dolt! Now we're both stuck up here!' or 'Rescue me..? Who's gonna rescue you then..?!'

I've coloured them with my beloved Copics although I'm running out of a few and need to buy some inks. I can't complain as they've lasted ages, at least 12 months and you all know I use them constantly. It will be interesting to see how long the new Marvy solvent-based markers last.

My lickle Ada will like this - I've made it 12 x 12 so it can be hung on the wall of her bedroom if she wants it. The backing papers are my own Eiglas 'Roseheart' and one from stash. The flowers are Poundshop and Prima.

Please do pop over to Tip Top Tuesday - the team have outdone themselves this week and there's so much inspiration there it's dangerous! LOL!

The fab sketch is from The Pink Elephant, so I'm going to enter it in their challenge too.
I hope you like it!
Hugs
Ei
x

Another melting-pot brooch.....

2011-05-16T16:49:00.003+01:00

I made this brooch with a specific demo in mind then changed my mind at the last minute so here it is anyway! LOL!

I made the pendant bit in my Melting-Pot (I'll be uploading a tutorial in the next few weeks) with a stamp from CaroLines ( DS31C262) and then mounted it with an old dungaree clip from my button-box.
I coloured the clip with my Copics (...see, universally useful...!) and threaded a grosgrain ribbon through the clip-loop.
I then sewed in a brooch-pin at the back incorporating a beaded 'knot' I made with some carnival beads and a rondelle on silver wire.

It's been really hard to photograph. I've tried in natural light, electric light with and without flash but they all look exactly the same! I even tried enhancing it in Photoshop but that didn't change it either!

If I can get a better one I 'll upload it later.
Hugs
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers Challenge 46 - Embossing

2011-05-15T23:56:00.007+01:00

Tracey is one of our newer teammates over at Crafty CardMakers and we think she's come up with a lovely first theme!

We all love embossing, whether wet or dry or by using our fancy embossing folders and that's what we challenge you to do this week. We want you to make a project featuring significant embossing.

On the DT's we do sometimes get a bit fed up, when spending our time and eyesight visiting all of your lovely blogs, with some peeps who have made no real effort to adhere to our themes but put a minimal accent on something which is otherwise unsuitable and bang it into the challenge.

It's a bit unfair of them because we love to encourage newbies at Crafty CardMakers but these people make it so hard for us to be accommodating for inexperience when it's often the experienced challenge crafters who do this, not the newbies.

Anyway, off me soapbox and onto the challenge.

Embossing they wanted - embossing they got.....! All four kinds! LOL!
I used my Pergamanos and parchment for the first mat, then a Sizzix Tim Holtz embossing folder for the second mat then the butterflies were cut out and embossed with a Cuttlebug set.
I cheated a bit with the 'wet' embossing as I used a Glaze pen! Naughty naughty!
Well, it was just too late (4.00 am) by the time I did this card I couldn't use my heat-gun as OH was already in bed!

The whole has been mounted on rainbow card.

We have our lovely regular sponsor Joanna Sheen this week! There is a fab £10.00 voucher for her shop for some clever lickle embosser so do get over to CCM and get some inspiration from the team!

Hugs

x

Have entered this into Creative Inspirations Paint - Butterflies

New digi..... Calvin & Neo

2011-05-13T18:19:00.002+01:00

I've had a few requests for digi-stamps of different genres and most of them are fairly easily come by from established digi-artists, which doesn't mean I won't eventually make drawings of my own 'take' on subjects, but just now, I wanted to create images that are less readily catered for.

One suggestion was from a long-standing crafting pal of mine who finds it difficult to find images suitable for her own children, who are of mixed race but very definitely several generation western British, and not of American, African, Indian or any other culture.

I hadn't thought of this myself. The likes of Mo Manning does beautiful drawings of ethnic children in their sarees and rasta hats etc but this friend wanted something slightly different so I came up with this one for a starter.

I had real difficulty finding inspirational images of young teens of any kind having fun, as opposed to drunk and throwing up or looking cool & moody! Are our youth really this bad? Have to say - I'm not that naive but I was shocked. So in the end I just used my imagination to create two young lads having a laugh.

I've used a fab sketch from There's Magic In the Air so I'll enter it into their challenge too!
I also, shock horror! - forsook my beloved Copics and used the new Marvy-le-Plume alcohol-based markers to colour this image and they're not bad.
These were the TSV on QVC this week and as such, they were very reasonably priced at £22.23 including p&p for 20 pens.

If you're interested in my opinion of them, here it is!

1) they're nice and juicy, although, clearly, it's hard to tell how long they'll actually last.
2) they're thicker in the barrel than Copics and will not fit in the Copics boxes unless you use the lids and remove the 'grid' that keeps the Copics straight.
3) the brush point is very soft and nice to use for block colouring but a bit too thick for detail work - significantly thicker than the Copic.
4) not as much pigment as Copics. I coloured a ribbon with a MLP and the equivalent colour Copic and the Copic won hands down on opacity.
5) nice-looking pens in comparison to the (to me) quite ugly ProMarkers.
6) although they are only coloured at the very tip, it's a nice finishing detail and would look good in a display stand.
7) I'd like to know if Marvy are going to bring out the re-inkers for them as it would be a terrible waste to bin them when they're empty. I'll just use my Copics Various Inks in them if they don't.

If you like Calvin & Neo, I will be putting them on my Eiglassing digi-crafting blog when I get a minute but if you want them sooner than that, just e-mail me and I'll get them to you.

Hugs
Ei
x

CCM Spot 45 - Inchies

2011-05-08T22:15:00.004+01:00

......inchies...? Inchies...? What in the name of all that's crafty are INCHIES...?
I heard you! LOL! I said much the same thing myself when our team-mate Cazro came up with this mad theme!

Apparently, inchies are, as might seem logical, little inch squares on which one creates a mini-work of art. And over at Crafty CardMakers this week, our lovely Cazro, demands no less than three of these little blighters on our projects.

So, much head-scratching and umming and aah-ing later, a lickle light-bulb went off in the Eiglas ~~walnut~~....I mean brain and it came up with a small idea!

Ages and ages ago I bought some small ornamental Chinese coins and they came in two little divided trays. I've long since used the coins but I kept the lickle trays thinking, 'they're cute, they might serve a purpose one day'.... That was about 1825 days ago, so I'm glad I didn't hold my breath! LOL

Anyway......here it is!

What I did was......

I painted the trays roughly with gold paint. (I ran out of acrylic, so I made my own with a painting medium and gold powder.)
I then painted over this with Tim Holtz Distress Crackle paint in Picket Fence.
When this was dry, I wiped it over with a dry babywipe soaked in strong tea so the gold of the cracks was toned down a little and the white of the Picket Fence was aged a little.

Then I adhered a small hinge with Pinflair glue gel and a leaf ornament to the front.

When I was a child, I spent hours playing with my Mother's button-box, sorting them and tiding them (sad little child! LOL!) and these trays reminded me of that button-box as it was the same shape and had the same divisions so that decided what was going inside!

It had to be a selection of those same buttons I played with as a child! I kept my Mum's button-box and some of the buttons were quite old so these I used inside.

First I added a layer of Anna Griffin Clear Glass Finish and a variety of micro-beads from Martha Stewart. Before it was dry, I pushed in the buttons.

Simples!

I may continue to add lickle bits over time and I look forward to having it displayed in my finally re-decorated hall in the Autumn!

Please pop over to CCM and have a look at the wonderful projects my clever teamies have come up with this week - they're amazing!

Hope you like it!
Hugs
Ei
x

Entered into
Annabelle Stamps - Squares (10) (F)

Top Tip Tuesday - Everybody Join In...!

2011-05-02T23:59:00.006+01:00

...and that means YOU! LOL!
Over at the challenge blog we have an 'open' theme which means your entries will be PHENOMENAL because you can choose your favourite stash, your favourite colours and your best techiques - so no excuse!

I don't really have favourite anythings as I love it all! So I've used my brand new 'Eiglas' digistamp 'Ramona - Queen of Rock!' , coloured her with my beloved Copics and blinged her up!

Not only is there a challenge over at the Top Tip Tues blog but there are some marvellous tips and hints to be gleaned over there thanks to our ladyboss suggesting all the team also add a tip each! I'm gonna go over there and collect them all!

If you like 'Ramona' and you'd like her, she's over at my 'Eiglassing' site or just e-mail me and I'll send you what you want!

Hugs
Ei
x

Entered into

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
Craft your Days Away - Music/Dance
Simply Create - Rock the Metal
Papercrafting Journey - Bling!

Flash - the Drummer...!

2011-05-02T21:40:00.002+01:00

Well, they all have them.......bands that is! In every collection of musicians there is the odd one out and that's our drummer Flash!

Being as he's like me - a ging that is - he kinda sticks out in a crowd and his 6 ft 4 inch height does nothing to blend him onto the surroundings either but none of this matters to Flash - he's only interested in bashing those Zildjians and pummelling those skins!

He's a really good rock drummer - great at holding the beat steady and blowing the proverbial minds of the audience with his phenomenal solos!

If you like Flash, he's over at my Eiglassing site or you can e-mail me and I'll send him to you!

Hugs
Ei
x

Challenges entered

Stamps R Us - For the Men
Craft Your Days Away - Music/Dance

CCM Ch 45 - Steampunk/ Machines

2011-05-02T11:15:00.003+01:00

It's my week to choose the theme over at Crafty CardMakers this week and I've chosen the twin themes of 'Steampunk' and 'Machines'.

My lovely teamies have really pulled out all the stops as they really hadn't a clue what Steampunk' was until they found out what my theme was! If you were to pop over to CCM and have a look at their projects you will be so impressed!

For my project I've made a birthday card for my Hubby Nic in a Steampunk style and with added machines!

It's a triptych card size-wise as it has two equal 21cm squ leaves and one, the right hand, 13cm x 21cm.

For the frontispiece, I've used my own Eiglas 'Vintage Machines' paper and on the right hand leaf and main centre inside my own Eiglas 'Cogs' paper (both will be on my new 'Vintage and Steampunk' Paper Crafting kit when it's finished)

I've also used Tim Holtz Sizzix dies 'Gadget Gears' , 'Tickets' and 'Bookplates'. I've used another Sizzix die in the top left hand corner.

The little 'closure' is just a jeans button, adhered with a brad and one of the small 'gears' adhered to a small chipboard circle and attached with an eyelet so it rotates. A small semi-circle was cut out to facilitate this.

The bookplate was attached with two small screws.
The tickets were distressed and stamped with TH Distress inks. A small bulldog-clip was attached to the tickets.

Hope you like it!

Our sponsor this week is 'One Stop Cards & Crafts' who are offering a £10.00 voucher to spend in their lovely store!

Look forward to seeing what you all come up with!
Hugs
Ei
x

Challenges entered

Stamps R Us - For the Men
The Crazy Challenge - Cards For Men

Baz, the frontman.....

2011-04-28T23:32:00.005+01:00

A while ago (about 12 months actually..!) I created a set of Rock-Band digi dudes but due to time-related problems (...like I need 48 hours in a day...!) I've never got round to actually doing anything with them.

Today, at long last, I've finally got round to photographing a card I hurriedly put together featuring the lead guitarist 'Baz'!

I do hope you like him - I think he's kinda cute! Sorry the photo's a bit 'foggy' - it's the glare from the silver mirri card at the back - my flash wasn't even on!

The digis for the band are on sale at my showroom (Eiglassing, in the sidebar) if you're interested. Just e-mail me and I'll send what you want out to you.

I'll try to get the others done asap!
Hugs
Ei
x

BTW The impetus for finally getting round to doing this, was I saw the challenge on Simply create and wanted to enter it! What better venue for a Rock-Star! LOL

Challenges entered
Simply Create - Time to Rock the Metal
Amber's Crafts and Stuff - Any Digi
Bunny Zoe - One for the Boys
Creative Inspirations 58 - Digi Day

Top Tip Tuesday - Squares/ Make a Box Envelope

2011-04-26T11:53:00.002+01:00

It's not my team's week this week at TTT but I had to just write a few lines to let you know of the fab tutorial over there this week.

Our teammate and ladyboss Leanne has made a fab tutorial over at Top Tip Tuesday on how to make a box type envelope of any size.
It's really easy to follow and very instructive - you'll be making them all the time once you have a look!

Our sponsors this week are
www.stashbooks.com
and
www.pizzazzaplenty.blogspot.com
So please pop over to TTT and enter your project which is anything SQUARE.

Look forward to seeing your entries next week!
Hugs
Ei
x

CCM Spot 44 - Bottlecaps (plastic or metal)

2011-04-25T15:12:00.001+01:00

Our lovely teammate Paula has come up with this interesting theme for us this week on Crafty CardMakers Spotlight!

I wasn't sure about this when I first saw it suggested but after mulling it over for a few weeks, I came up with this lovely ( ...I think anyway...!) locket!

I used the metal top from a Prima Blooms bottle!
I've used most of the blooms from the bottle and deposited the remainder in with the rest of my flowers, the bottle is now housing a collection of emery/diamond/ acrylic nailboards I use in my crafting, tucked into my new carousel!

Materials
Metal screw-cap from soft-drink bottle or similar.
Vintage photo to fit ( I used a pic of my Aunt Jinnie who practically brought me up and was born in 1907!)
Glossy Accents or similar
Any embellishments you like - I've used a pair of metal earrings with a pierced Celtic Knot pattern and a disc pendant from an old necklace.
Circle of make-up sponge/packing foam if required.

Method
1) First give everything a good clean - it will annoy you when things won't stick!
2) Then make a hole in the side of the bottle-cap - your bale will need somewhere to pop out of! (I used my Crop-o-Dile for this.
3)Pop the bale of whatever you're using for the top of your locket through the hole you made.
4)Cut your photo to the correct size - (I inked up the bottle cap rim and 'stamped' the photo. Then I cut it just inside the line.)
5) Cut your make-up sponge ( if you're using it) the same size and pop the sponge into the cap followed by the photo.
6) I then cut out a slim circle of card to 'frame' the photo. Pop this into the cap and arrange it to fit.
7) At this point, if you want to add any inclusions, this is the time to do it!
8) Fill the remainder of the cap with Glossy Accents or similar and leave to dry off.
9) When it's all dry, stick your embellishments (I used my Celtic Earrings) to the back of whatever you've used for the locket cover and also to the back of the bottle-cap. That's why earrings are a good thing to use - there are two that match!

This is pretty much it, but if you want to continue to add lickle bits as please you then go for it!

Do pop over to Crafty CardMakers and have a look at the team's efforts - they're super!

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Hugs
Ei
x

Colouring things with Copics

2011-04-24T19:08:00.006+01:00

I've got a bit carried away with my Copics I think! LOL! - Nothing is safe!
After colouring that charm bracelet last week - if it doesn't move it gets Copic-ed!

I've had a watch in my drawer for about 15 years that I loved but it wasn't an expensive one and the chrome plating eventually wore off leaving a patchy chrome/copper bracelet which tarnished and made a mess of my wrist. But I loved the face so I didn't throw it out and just gave it to Ada as one of her 'treasures'.

She's now grown out of her 'treasure' so I looked at this watch and thought 'Hmmmmm.....' and hey presto...

...here it is coloured with my Ultramarine Blue pen and varnished!

As you can see, it's also accompanied by an old brooch which had suffered the same fate. I'm not sure I like the way I've done the brooch but the beauty of this method is, it comes off if you want it to! I could re-colour these on a monthly basis if I so wished!

Anyway - just thought you might like a peek!
In the photo, it looks a bit dusty, but that's just the talc I dried the back off with 'cos it was still a bit tacky from the varnish!

Don't forget to check back in tomorrow for my Crafty CardMakers demo.....it's another wowzer from CCM!
Hugs
Ei
x

Entered for Shannon's Sentiments - Anything but a card (106)
Delicious Doodles - Anything goes! (125)
If the Shoe Fits - Scrap it! - Reuse/renew (5)

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything But a Card

2011-04-19T01:07:00.002+01:00

My mojo finally came crawling back, with a little help from a friend!

On Sunday, my lovely Hubby, Nic, took me to a huge car-boot sale which is at a place called Chelford, just outside of Macclesfield/Knutsford. It's on every Sunday during the summer and is a real mix of tat, new and old and you do, very occasionally, find a lickle treasure there.

We walked around for over three hours - I was absolutely done up in the evening!

But I did find a few lickle treasures and a part of my haul, I have used on my project for this week - an elasticated bracelet in a antique-y bronze.

I found a length of bronzy-coloured chain which the chap let me have for 30p and I found some lovely Swarovsky crystals very reasonable indeed.

I took the chain and threaded a length of Beadalon elasticated thread through all the links and tied it off (a dab of superglue holds the knot), then joined the chain.

This gave me a chain bracelet!
Then I took some Anna Griffin metal shapes I've had for years and coloured them with my trusty Copics.
On the watch-piece I added watch cogs and micro-beads and one red gem before flooding the recess with Glossy Accents.

These were then attached by bronze-coloured jump-rings to the bracelet - voila! - one vintage charm bracelet! I may even add some beads later on......

Why don't you pop over to Top Tip Tuesday and have a look at the team's fab inspiration - have a go and enter and you could win a prize from one of our two fab sponsors:-
Pink Cat Studios and Your Next Stamp
I'll be checking up on you, you know...! LOL!

See you over there!
Hugs
Ei
x

wed:- only just noticed my photo of the finished bracelet was missing. Have put it up now.
sun:- edited slightly. I'd missed off the Glossy Accents' in the method for the watch-fob.

....so sorry.....

2011-04-11T19:46:00.000+01:00

I haven't done any blogging this week due to some personal stuff including a truly sad bereavement so I do apologize to all those who have dropped by to see the Tweenie card I was scheduled to make for Crafty CardMakers as I haven't even attempted it.

The funeral is on Thursday so I may be back in action this time next week or maybe not, depending on how I feel by then. I've really not felt inclined to do the job this week and do the entrants the justice they deserve.

I'm also sorry I forgot I had my reminder scheduled so it alerted everyone.

I'll be back soon and thank you so much for visiting anyway.
Hugs
Ei
x

TTT 28 - Hearts & Flowers / Thank You!

2011-04-05T10:05:00.002+01:00

My lovely team-mate over at Top Tip Tuesday, Elaine, has made a fab tutorial this week for a wonderful gift-box you could make/use for almost any occasion - you really should pop over there and have a look!

My project is not a box but a 'Thank You' card using a pretty image from our sponsor, Whimsy Stamps called, 'Gracie's Roses'.

As you know, I'm not overkeen on very 'cutesy' stamps but I think this one is a classic which, although it could be called 'cute,' I think it's more than that - it's a lovely drawing of a pretty child who could be anyone's daughter, granddaughter or niece.

All papers etc from unbranded stash but I used Nesties for the aperture and the greeting plaque.

Please join in with us over at Top Tip Tuesday and show us what you can do! We're very kind to newbies so don't be shy!

The Stamping Boutique are also on board this week and are offering three digistamps to one lucky person.

All of our lovely team members have personal blogs which are very worth a visit! Lots of inspirational projects to see and get ideas from.

Hop to see you there!
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers Ch 43 - Recipe

2011-04-04T01:09:00.003+01:00

Our teammate over at Crafty CardMakers, Dionne, has given us this fab recipe to follow this week.
We've to use :-
Mainly Yellow and these three embellishments - stitching, rhinestones and ribbon.
Now I know you lot love a recipe, so come on! Get your mojo out and make a project!
You'll be in with a chance of a fab prize from The Stampman

Here's my effort and it was out of my comfort zone so be kind....!

Materials used:

Yellow background paper - Martha Stewart
Pearl Bazzil - American Crafts
Brown jacquard paper - from stash
Punches - Martha Stewart
Leaves - Sizzix
Flower - Prima
Mottos on bookmarks - K&Co.

The image is, clearly, Magnolia Tilda holding a bee and I coloured her with my lovely Copics - the bee's wings are Stickled!

Hope you like it and will come and join us over at CCM! Whilst you are over there, have a good look at my teammates' projects - very inspirational - they're a talented bunch y'know! LOL!
Their personal blogs are worth a lickle look too - they're full of inspirational projects and tips!
See ya over there!
Hugs
Ei
x

Tip Top Tuesday - Nature's Inspiration/Polished Stone

2011-03-29T11:25:00.014+01:00

This week at Top Tip Tuesday our fab teamie, Paula has come up with a wonderful

tutorial !

If you've ever wondered how to get super inking effects then this is one tutorial you should have a look at.

It'a called 'Polished Stone' and is as versatile as any effect can be, as you change and modify it to suit your project.

We also have two fab sponsors :-

For my project this week, I've used the same technique as Paula has demonstrated in her wonderful and easy to follow Tutorial.

For the technique have a look at Paula's Tutorial. My materials were:
Astrolux card in yellow
Various Ranger alcohol inks including metallic
Blending alcohol Ranger

Be advised - the alcohol inks dry VERY fast on Astrolux! So work quickly!

Look forward to seeing your entries over on the blog!

Hugs

Crafty CardMakers - Spotlight on Decoupage

2011-03-28T02:53:00.000+01:00

This week at CraftyCardM akers Spotlight, we're putting the spotlight on crafter's favourite technique, decoupage.

As you all undoubtably know, this is the art of creating dimensional images by layering different portions of your image with either 3D foam squares or silicone glue.

Our lovely team-mate Mandy has created a very easy-to-follow tutorial so there's no excuse!

Technique Junkie, incorporating Patstamps is our sponsor this week and they're offering a fab prize to the winning entrant.

Most of us have done decoupage at one stage or another, so have a go!
Hugs
Ei
x

Top Tip Tuesday - Show Me Those Buttons....!

2011-03-22T01:01:00.000Z

Our teammate Samantha is responsible for this week's mayhem at Top Tip Tuesday! She has made a superb tutorial for altering buttons!

I can't tell you the mess I got into with this fiddly pass-time - my fingers just ain't the right size and shape for faffing about with lickle buttons...!

So I ended up doing a BIG button and made a BIG mess...! LOL!
Thanks to the fab tutorial though, all was not lost and I managed this....!

I do apologize for the terrible photos but I'd already altered the button before I realized my camera was on the wrong setting! It looked okay through the lens - honest...!

I started out with a big, plain black button with radiating divisions across it.

So, I then triple embossed it with an embossing pad and 'Moonglow' Stardust Candy - 'rose' embossing powder. There was embossing powder everywhere! I'm still wiping it up a week later ! LOL!

I then stamped into the last still hot layer with an inked up rubber stamp only for the ink to wipe off all over my fingers when it had cooled! I guess I should have used Staz-on or something!

Last of all I used my copic black to mark the divisions again, added another, small black button to the centre and ran a length of embroidery silk through the button-holes a couple of times before adhering the lace round the back of the rim .

And here it is finished!

I actually like it very much and have already used it on my project for last week's Crafty Cardmakers demo! I will have another go and persevere until I am an expert like Samantha!

Here is my second attempt. Large green 'cup' shaped button into which I placed a few sequins and then filled with Glossy Accents (I threaded a piece of green wire through the button-holes first to create an 'anchor').

I then added to the still-wet GA some green Micro-beads and some small watch bits - cogs and the like.

When dry, I threaded the grosgrain ribbon through the dungaree-buckle and then attached the button via the wire to the buckle. I then added a vintage plastic buckle to the ribbon too.

I then added more bits and pieces and would probably still be attaching them if time allowed! LOL!

And now it's a rather steampunk brooch!

Stashbooks and StitchyBear Stamps are our sponsors this week!

Hugs
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers 42 - Special Birthdays

2011-03-21T02:10:00.004Z

The wonderful Joanna Sheen is our sponsor for this week's challenge at Crafty CardMakers which, I forsee to be a humongous one as it is 'Special Birthdays' - a perennial favourite!

Our fab teamie Melly came up with this one - I'll get you for that later Mel - and I've made mine for my super Aunt Marie who, when I said about it being a 'special' birthday this year, gave me a look and said 'at my age, child, every birthday is somewhat special...!'

Y'know, I feel a new digi character coming on! Between my crazy Mum and my autocratic Aunt, I think I have to 'find' a character for their words!

For my card I've used a DL sized card and pinched a bit of my William Morris wallpaper for the background paper. I used a Glitter Girls panel to emboss the pearlescent green card and the blue/grey card and 'fudged' the gold mirri beneath.

I then positioned the Prima blooms onto a measure of Pinflair glue gel along with the rose leaves.

Before I give it to her I will make a matching box for it as an envelope won't do for this 'special' lady!

Hope you like it!

Hugs

Bonneville......

2011-03-15T03:16:00.006Z

It's my brother Alan's birthday today and so I was once again, totally stuck what to make for him.
Fellas don't really 'get' cards. They humour us girls (in general - there are a few who like them!) and say things like 'very nice' - you almost expect a pat on the head....!

Then my mind wandered (...it does that..!) off down memory lane and I remembered Alan when he was a lad, in his prime and as cool as Steve McQueen....(...he's more like the Queen these days...! LOL!)..on his motorbike!

I could have gone the whole nine yards and drawn him a Norton Dominator, which is what he had, but I had made a perfectly good (and unused) drawing of a Triumph Bonneville (...the bike I would have liked...!) a while ago which was resting in a folder on my hard-drive, soooo.......

...here it is!
There's a verse inside too...

Remember many years ago
When you were just a lad?
You remember David, Bri & Me
Judy, Mum & Dad?

Dad’s pale blue Lambretta,
Mum’s yellow Mini-car?
Your Norton Dominator
Bri’s Beezer (...didn't go far..!)

I only had a push-bike
And soon grew out of that
I always wanted a Bonnie
Even I’d be cool on that!

It never ever happened,
I had four kids instead
So here’s my Triumph Bonneville
It’s yours now Al….
‘Nuff said!

Happy Birthday Bruv!

The papers and Bonneville digistamp are all my Eiglas own!
Hugs
Ei
x

Crafty CardMakers 41.5 - Spot - Own Designer Papers

2011-03-14T11:55:00.009Z

Okay, I admit, I got a bit carried away but what the heck! In for a penny and all that...! LOL!

Hmmm..... Make my own DP..... How about fifteen dp's.....? Well, more actually - I've pared it down! LOL!

I mean, what a fabulous challenge! Don't you think...? Our teammate at Crafty CardMakers, Josephine, really came up with a good one here I think! And we also have a fab sponsor too!

The Stamping Boutique Have lots of nice digis for you to browse through and will be offering a fab prize to our winner!

So here's my card!

The four papers are my own Eiglas designs from my 'Roseheart' kit.

Flowers are 'Wild Orchid', leaves are Sizzix, the metal corner is Tim Holtz and the making of my altered button will be featured on my blog soon. I've not made a greeting for it but think someone might like it for their Mum....?

I've been so inspired by this challenge, I actually really did make a whole collection and, spurred on by peeps who should know better, am in dialogue regarding having them printed in 12 x 12 Scrap-pad format - I am so excited by this!

Please feel free to let me know what you think of them - it would help me if you could leave a bit of constructive criticism - warts and all!

I might even have some of the papers as candy, if it all goes well.

Hope you like it and them!

hugs

****I've now had my printed sample pads back from the printer and I'm really pleased with how they've turned out!*****