'Left of Centre' DT Call

The superb 'Left of Center' team are looking for new DT members.

As you all know, I've been poorly for the last couple of years and last year my crafting and blogging both suffered as a result.  I did join one DT which actually didn't take off  which was disappointing as I would love to do more quirky stuff - you know I'm not over keen on 'cutesy' but still did it for previous DT's as I like to challenge myself but LOC is a lovely challenge blog with a good variety of styles and teamies with different talents.

So, I've made an early New Year's Resolution to not only ramp up my crafting but to get back into a quality DT again, and so in this post I'm going to showcase three of my favourite creations, as per instructions.

Boy! That's going to be hard...!  There are so many and I'm a Libran!

Anyway - to start with, here's one I created with one of 'Simply B's' Steampunk images. I love this range of stamps and am determined to use them more often than I have - it's a shame they have not had more of an airing recently.

As always, I coloured the image with my Copics, deliberately keeping to a subtle range of shades with the exception of the bird, which I wanted to contrast and tie into the fabulous Graphic 45 papers.

For my next piece, I'm using a non-card project. It's a clock I 'punked' for my son to suit his 'demi-steampunk-esque' flat.

This was, formerly, a plain rectangular black clock with no legs or embellishments.

For my third project, I guess a 'normal' cutesy project needs to be shown, so here we go!

This is a Christmas pop-up card I made for my Tilda-mad friend Di last year. She swears it will come out every year until it's no longer presentable! LOL!

It's 12 x 12" and has four or five 'steps' with seven Tilda characters in  a snowy scene.

There are many others I could have chosen - most of them are on this blog somewhere - but in the end it's a matter of individual taste.

I enjoy making things period! I don't have 'favourite' techniques or genres as such - but I do like quirky above cute and I love to use stamps - real or digi.

My Copics are my favourite colouring method, although I'm beating off the urge to buy Pan Pastels at the minute - I can't afford another obsession! LOL!

Now for the scary part! LOL! LOC have asked for a picture of me......! O:  

I don't, as you all know, do photos.......  but I guess needs must! :D

...see? Scary indeed! This was in the hospital on the day of our third grandchild Elvie's birth on 1st August. Told you I don't 'do' photos! LOL!  I guess there may be some on Boxing day but we'll see if they're fit to publish! At least I may have some slap on in that one! This baldy look doesn't suit me - that's for sure! Hehehe.....!

I really enjoyed my stints on the DT's I was on - C.R.A.F.T was my first one - they were very brave - I didn't even have a blog then! I had to get blog-literate very quickly!  Wonderful bunch of ladies and, latterly, man our Kevin McCrafty!

Then, I was asked to join CraftyCardmakers - they were a lovely bunch of ladies and very talented too - got on famously with them all.

Top Tip Tuesday was next - that was SUCH an interesting challenge blog as we took turns setting the technique and producing a tutorial for that technique! Really challenging, stretching and fun!

I was also on a couple of guest DT's  - Copics Colour Challenge, Allsorts, 
Saturday Sketch and Penny Black and Colour Create are the ones I remember.

I enjoyed it all immensely but when my illnesses and full-time care of my grandchildren combined to be too much, something had to give and it was my blog and the challenge DT's.

Happily, due to hard-work, good luck and a major operation last February, I'm a new woman and ready to take on the world again!

Whatever happens, I'll be posting on here a lot more this coming year, I hope.

Well, 2013 has been a blast for me - Merry Christmas to everybody and a very Happy 2014!
Hugs
Ei x

My latest card...

...using one of my own images.

I really like this one!
Hugs
Ei x

More cards...!

I managed to remember to photo just a couple of the Christmas cards I've made (- I didn't bother photo-ing the Anna Griffin kit-cards I made as I don't really consider those 'mine' -) which is a step in the right direction ! LOL!

It was also my eldest son's birthday this week so he got a card with a very special digi on - one of Mo Manning's called 'Computer Guy'  which she could have drawn bespoke for him! Coloured with my beloved Copic Sketches and 'graffiti'd with American Crafts Galaxy chalkboard pens for dark card.   

It was, however, not a joy to photograph! LOL! Between the mirri card and the black foil and chalkboard pens ......!

Then there was the Chrimble-card I made for him and his Jen.....

The image is by Crafty Individuals and is called 'Jingle All The Way'

Matt only does black so his stuff is always something of a challenge!

And finally, one made with my own Eiglas 'Snowfamily' digistamp  There is also a bird in the set but I didn't need it for this card.

I chalked the background and coloured my little 'Snowfamily' with my Copics and decoupaged them.  I used torn white card for the snowy ground.

I'll try to photograph more of my cards but, to be honest I have so many Christmas cards to make and send, I don't have time to photo them all - I wish I did!

Se ya soon!

Ei

x

'Twas the month before Christmas.....!

....and it's still manic! LOL!
...Well, I didn't really expect anything else...!

I've been making cards (not enough!) and wrapping pressies (not enough!) and putting up deccies (far too many!) and been meeting myself coming back again!

Fortunately, OH has had a few days off so has helped...a little...... ;)

This card is for a cyber-pal in Canada, Po-Lee and her little dog Rambo-Pepper!  He's a special little boy and Po-Lee keeps us all entertained with his adventures!

To go with the card, I also made Po-Lee a little present - a Christmas-tree ornament featuring her fluff-kid Rambo-Pepper!

This next one, I have made for a lovely friend, Carole, who has had a bit of a rough ride recently, health-wise and like everyone else under this government - financially too.  I hope things get better for her after her upcoming op.

Another pal in Canada, Jeanette was my best pal at infants and junior school. For her floral and lacy just won't do so I drew her a quirky cartoon of the two of us and made a card with it!

I've sent loads of others out I haven't had time to photo but I guess I'll be doing more soon!

I also have done a few digis for peeps wanting 'specials'.  

One friend wanted a 'Lego' city card for her grandson so I drew this for her

and another friend wanted this.....

and yet another , this.....

I had a few others to do too and have two awaiting a spare minute!

If I had more time, I'd do a tut on making the ornament and I shall, when I get a few minutes.

Hugs for now!

Ei x

.....shipping order...!

It's been an age since I've been on - I know, I'm sorry - but Sept - now has been madder than ever at Chez Eiglas!   

It all kicked off on 28th September which was birthday time for my daughter, my SIL and my very good friend Roni's daughter - all on the same day! Then mine followed on October the 1st - my 60th re-visited as I was so poorly last year I more or less missed it!

On 5th it was my daughter by another mother Christina's birthday ....and her Wedding Day! I also had my daughter's order in - at her usual one minute's notice - for 'survival kits' for the Mum & Dad of the bride.

Of course my Bev was chief bridesmaid so there were all kinds of missions for me to perform from my Mission impossible desk!

Then there was my friend Kath on 6th and we had our annual birthday meal with our other ex-workmates too,  There were also Christenings, a bereavement, the school holidays and a multitude of other 'happenings! I've been meeting myself coming back and I didn't remember to photo all of the projects either!

I did remember a couple though, so here they are.

This was a birthday card and box for my friend Roni who was 70!  We had a lovely tea-party on the day in my house and another secret one at the week-end with her family!

This was for my SIL Barbara - the stamp is a lovely La Blanche stamp

I sent this one to my friend Roz for a get well card - she had a hip replacement.

Friends Aly & another Brenda had their birthdays - 40 & 60 respectively (notice they're all threshold birthdays too!)

Two more weddings - Rachel & Liam .......

....and Ryan & Shenley......

A bereavement card

My Bev, bride Christina and my Ada on Chris's wedding day. Sadly, I can't find the photo of the card I made for her and groom Ali.

I had a few other projects on too!  

For Remembrance week, I was asked to make one beaded poppy for a friend so here it is.....

...and promptly got orders for another 19!   I didn't take any money for these poppies - I don't believe in profiting from such an important occasion and charity. I made them for free and suggested a donation to the British Royal Legion Poppy Appeal of £5.00. Everyone thought that was a reasonable request. Many of them also gift-aided their donations so in effect I made over £100.00 for the poppy appeal.

I also was asked, being a Scouser, for a Liver Bird so I re-drew one I made many years ago.

 ...and added a poppy for Remembrance for my avatar on Facebook. Lots of other people adopted him too.  (I've put these on at high res and unwatermarked so you may 'snag' them, if you wish to use them with respect. Please use courtesy and do not re-sell or re-distribute without my sig or a credit of some kind. Thank you!)

I was also asked for a dragon and drew 'Draca'.....

...and then I coloured her.....

So, you see where my time has gone....and I also have a 'real' life in there somewhere, involving dishes and dirty clothes and MOT's etc etc....!

I'm sure I'll come across the other pics at some point - I'll upload them then.

Hugs
Ei x

My mate's birthday

My very good mate, Brenda, had her 65th birthday yesterday and I finally got round to doing some crafting and made her this card.

Bren doesn't 'do' parties and the like so we just had a nice meal and I made her an apple-doughnut sundae!  

She really enjoyed it.

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

Getting a bit fed up of not having the time now and have resolved, after this week is over with I WILL start making and blogging again!

If any of you are following my 'Big Fat Journey...!' you will know I tipped the scales this morning at 15st 12lb! That is over five and a half stones gone since February!  I was so poorly last year I actually missed my 60th birthday, to all intents and purposes, so I intend having another this year! LOL!

I feel like I've had a rebirth and I'm actually forty-five not sixty!

Will have more news in a few days when I find out if I fluffed the interview or not! ;)

Hugs Ei x

New Grandbabby! Welcome baby Elvie!

When I looked, I could hardly believe the date of my last post! Such a long time ago!  Needless to say - been very busy with one thing and another. I admin on a couple of crafty groups on Facebook now and it's very addictive!

I also have a new grandbabby!  

Here is the beautiful Elvie Bow Nicholson born 5:45pm Thursday 1st August.
                                            
                                        Day one - in incubator

Is she exquisite or not...?

Day two - all smoothed out

Day three - awake!

Day five - stop talkin' I'z tryin' ta sleep!

I made a card (of course! LOL!) for Mum & Dad.

All though Danielle's pregnancy, the 'bump' was called Elvis - hence the sentiment in the middle! We were all shocked when she turned out to be a girl! We were all convinced it would be a boy - it took them a couple of hours for it to sink in and give her a name - Elvie! Which I think is beautiful.

I've also been making Christmas cards but I haven't photo'd them yet. I may do one day.....!

I've made a box to match this card and it's big enough to take an 8 x 8 journal, so guess what the proud parents are getting for Christmas......! LOL!

Hugs for now

Ei x

Steampunk Junkies - Challenge 4 - Journally Yours

I am up this week, to provide a tutorial for a Steampunk project for Steampunk Junkies but my card-reader and my PC have quarrelled and so I cannot upload any pictures, so I've re blogged a past Steampunk Journal/Folio as it's my favourite one anyway and it can be made in a few different ways.


 It's always a bit of a bugbear with me on the DT's that I make all this stuff which no-one in my family or friends will give house-room to, so I have boxes filled with creations I like too much to chuck away/give to peeps who don't really appreciate it, but storage space is becoming a bit of a problem!


So, it's fab when I can create something that someone (...me in this instance...!) can use!




My Tim Holtz Techniques Folio

Materials needed.


4 x A5 Tim Holtz Grungeboard or plain grey cardboard (...I used the back board from an old cheap sketchpad) 
Tim Holtz 'Gears and Cogs' die cuts in same material
Tim Holtz 'Bookplate' die-cut in gold pearl card
Tim Holtz (or other distress inkpads) Ink/inkpads in various colours to suit including Peeled Paint, Mahogany,  Vintage Photo and/or Walnut Stain.
Tim Holtz Distress clear embossing inkpad.
'Swirl' rubber stamp.
Inkpad Staz-On Black
Clear embossing powder.
Spritz spray
Distress Embossing Powder in Tea-Dye and/or Vintage Photo.
Ranger Metallic inks.( Adirondak Metallic Mixture or Posh Rainbow Metallics)
Heatproof workmat.
Preferred hardware findings, Tim Holtz or otherwise.






Method


Taking one of the A5 cards, spritz generously with water then  ink up with various inks and inkpads until you're happy with it.  Don't heat-set it.

Ink up with clear embossing inkpad and layer of clear embossing powder, leaving some sparsely covered areas, and heat with heat-gun..
The water vapour from the card will cause bubbles and irregularities in the glaze. Heat until there's an uneven pitted grainy finish. You don't want it too perfect.

When cool, you can distress this further with nail-file , pokey-tool etc if you want.


By this stage, your card should feel like leather, pliable and bendy. Now ink over the whole surface with Walnut Stain or Vintage Photo (...or indeed, anything you like..!) , rubbing it well into crevices and wipe off. The ink will sink into the bare areas and wipe off the glazed areas.  Cut the perimeter with deckle-edge scissors (..or tear to make an uneven edge...). I cut the perimeter then tore a corner off.


Ink up the edges if liked.


Ink up your swirl stamp with the Staz-On and stamp to suit.


Take the gears & cogs and ink them up with the metallic inks, applying generously.  

When dry, distress with pokey-tool, wire brush etc. taking care to distress the edges well,  then ink up over with a dark colour so the ink sinks into the scores.

If liked, apply brass collars or rivets with 'Cropadile' or similar to holes in centre.


Distress book-plate in same way.


Apply cogs & gears and bookplate in pleasing positions with silicone glue and finish off as desired.

This is your front cover plate for your technique book (...or greeting card if preferred!).




Now you could stop here and just add this to your folded card or made up book or you can continue to develop this as there are still plenty of things you can do to it! 




To continue, take another piece of the grey-board and cover it with tinted newsprint.


You can use pages out of an old book from a thrift shop for this and you can either use one large page or you can use smaller pages and patchwork them.


Whichever you decide to do, you start the same by inking up your workmat with either your inkpads or drops of re-inker and then spritz. The lay your newsprint face down and 'zhuz' it round the workmat (...if it will go - be careful not to tear it if it sticks a bit...!) until you've sopped up all the ink.

You can speed up the drying with your heat gun, if you want but leave it a bit damp so it 'shrinks'  to fit the board.


Clean up your workmat, then lay your newsprint face down and use pva glue all over the back, starting in the centre and brushing it outwards. Foam brushes are good for this. Make sure the application is even or bubbles will occur.  

Lay your grayboard onto the glued side and fold the edges and ends over, removing any excess bulky paper. It'll tear really easily if it's old newsprint and if you get inconvenient tears, just stick another bit over the tear.


Turn the work over again and I used a brayer on this side to make sure there were no bubbles.


Turn it back and stick another piece of tinted print over the exposed greyboard.

At this point you'll need to decide where and how to attach your bindings/hinges.  I just punched holes and stuck eyelets in for the Tim Holtz 'D' rings to go through.  If you haven't got the right colour eyelets, use your Copics!


You then need to cover another greyboard, this time for your finished plate to be mounted on. You only need to do one side, if your paper is big enough to be folded back on the reverse side as your plate will cover the exposed bit of greyboard this time.  I added some Tim Holtz metal corners too.

The last thing is your fastener. I've used a bit of leather I've had for years and the hinge from Tim's 'Hardware Findings' die, by Sizzix.


The leather was the wrong colour being a rather garish shade of green, so I distressed it with my pokey tool and coloured it with Staz-On and my Copics. Still green but of a shade that is more acceptable! LOL!  You could probably use your greyboard again or some of Tim's Grungeboard if you can't steal your Dad's old leather belt....!



I hope you all like this and I look forward to making sample pages of Tim's techniques to put into it, with their descriptions on the back, of course!


Hugs
Ei
x