The Craftyness of Nerdbird

More paintings!

2012-01-29T11:17:00.001Z

So I have been painting again! Surprise surprise! I don't know what it is about painting I can just lose hours, it's all I want to do!This first one is actually on a solid block of wood about 4in by 3in. So I have painted the back too!

I really like the idea of doing a series of these and then stacking them, just don't know what! I enjoyed the small size so found some small canvas'. These ones were inspired by the online course I am doing with Jeanne Oliver

More "girls" I found this quote on pinterest "to be a star you mustShine your own lightFollow your own pathAnd don't worry about the darknessFor that is when stars shine brightest "and knew I had to do a girl to match

Some more smaller canvas' for valentines day.

These are all for sale, please comment here or go to my Facebook page (link on the right) if you are interested Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Canvas'

2012-01-24T23:15:00.006Z

I was totally inspired by Jeanne Olivers online class that I am taking, she does some really lovely subtle backgrounds, very different to my normal! She did one canvas using a magazine picture but it reminded me of one of my wedding photos

So I used this to make the below canvas.

The netting was a pain to stick down! The quote is a few lines from a poem my brother read at our wedding.

So the rest of the painting is going well and I have sold quite a few at a local craft shop! Very exciting. Here are a few of my recent favourites

Finally Scrapping again!

2012-01-24T22:21:00.004Z

Had a fab time at Sue's on Sat, got the scrap bug back! I had several month's worth on Cocoa Daisy kits sat at home untouched so I took those and wanted to just scrap! Nothing too complicated or detailed just get back into scraping, and I did!! I used Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan CD kits, some mists, paint, texture paste and stencils.

I can really see how my love of mixed media is influencing my scrapping!

Will's Harry Potter Party

2012-01-24T21:55:00.003Z

For Will's 7th Birthday he wanted a Harry Potter party. Well as I also love HP I was all for it. And after much internet searching (thank you Pinterest!) Here is what we ended up with!

Platform 9 3\4 brickwall door

Spell and potion books

Wands

Sorting Hat ceremony

Potions class

"Great Hall" with banners and floating candles

HoneyDukes sweet shop

Birthday cake (Harry's scar, layered in Gryffindor colours)

Owl Party gifts (all handmade by me! pattern is from Snowybliss)

We played pass the dragon egg, pin the scar on Harry and stupyfy and imobilus (musical bumps and statues!)

Each child had a broom and a cape, we made quills and played Quiditch.

I had sooo much fun and I think the kids did too.

Next year? bowling!

She art 2

2011-12-03T00:49:00.001Z

So I have just finished taking Christy Tomlinson's she art 2 online class, here are a few of my projects.
Getting more creative with hair and accessories

Then it was time to think outside the canvas! One of the things she did was to make a girl out of air dry clay.
I wasnt sure at first if i would be able to make one, but thought I'd give it a go. Here she is drying

And here she is finished! I have to say I am quite pleased! She's abit wide! But I am happy for a first go!

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Tim Holtz 12 tags of christmas

2011-12-02T09:27:00.001Z

Day one - done!

-I don't have the pine cone die but I do have a similar Rose one so I used that. For the leaves I used a snowflake punch and cut it up

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Painting and thrifting!

2011-10-19T20:58:00.001Z

So I did some more painting, trying something different. Problem is I liked them too much so now I am keeping them!

These 2 were presents.

I was inspired by Lisa and her thrifting! So I brought some tea cups

That are now cupcake stands!

Old cake stand

Spray paint

New stamp holder!

This could get addicted!

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Actually scrapped!

2011-10-09T15:27:00.002Z

So I have been doing lots of painting and not so much scrapping, but I went to see the lovely girls at fun crops in Abingdon and actually did some scrapping! I have lots of Cocoa Daisy kits that I havent really touched so all of these come from them.

Canvases

2011-10-06T19:36:00.009Z

Lots of painting going on! I have set up a FB page in the hope of selling some and I have also been asked to sell them in a local craft shop.

Firstly this one for me! made with the brilliant new stencils by Juile Balzer for Crafters Workshop

These ones are all now in a local shop that sells lots of different locally made crafts. I've sold one already! Very exciting

And how they look in shop window!

And inside the shop

These ones were gifts for my friends. This one for my friend with 3 kids Christening present for my beautiful god son
My friend's new baby

Painting and baking

2011-08-27T15:22:00.001Z

Wow! I can't believe the school hols are almost over! Sept is going to be bitter sweet for me as Ollie is off to school, ;(. I'll miss him but I am excited for him.

The end of term saw lots of baking and gifts for teachers
Will's teachers got a bag, printed with real apples by Will (inspiration from pintrest )

And cupcake bouquet for his actual teacher

The boys made the tissue paper bumblebees for ollies nursery room

Then cakes for sports day picnic
Pimms for the adults

Rainbow for the kids

Vanilla for school fair

We then went to France for 3 weeks in a gite, I knew I would want to craft while away but would be limited, so I packed some watercolours but firstly took an online class by the amazing
Alisa Burke

I haven't been through all the videos yet but whilst away I did this doodle in my journal

inspired by this print by !Alisa !

Whilst away I saw a challenge by Dina Wakley to make 2 canvas a week in aug, to challenge us to get out of our journals. Well being away I wouldnt be able to do this but I did use my doodle to make myself a canvas. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Here's another doodle I did,

Going to try and make a canvas of this one next!

Wow! That was a long one!

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Not for the squeamish!

2011-07-13T16:01:00.002Z

My poorly boy has the pox! We are now at day 7 and he still looks quite bad but is much better in himself.

He really had it bad, they were in his mouth, hair, eye lids, ears, nose, in between his fingers, everywhere! It was horrible seeing him so poorly, he didn't itch but I think he had so many he was beyond itching just pain :(

I have also made a couple more canvas'. Not much else crafty as life is getting in the way!

For will

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More baking

2011-06-13T14:01:00.001Z

I have also had a go at some layer cakes.
Rainbow one for my best friend

Pink layer for my niece's 1st bd

I also made some peanut butter cupcakes

And a cadbury creme egg one! It's baked with a whole big cream egg in it! Yummy but a bit sickly!

I also made a pom pom garland

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Cupcake bouquet

2011-06-13T13:52:00.001Z

My SIL has just had a baby boy and we went up to see them this weekend, and it was the perfect excuse to have a go at making a cupcake bouquet.

I must thank Ruth at the pink whisk for the fab instructions.
I am really pleased with it

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More Cocoa Daisy

2011-05-23T17:50:00.002Z

Another LO from the crop, a LO with faux stitching and about something sentimental.
Mine is of the earrings my dad had made for me using the diamonds from my Mum's engagement ring.
One of the classes from the crop was about how to alter a book, I didn't follow the class but it did give me the inspiration to alter a book in another way.

Cocoa Daisy Crop Canvas

2011-05-18T07:08:00.004Z

Lisa did an amazing class over at Cocoa Daisy for a canvas with mists and masks. Here is mine

Cocoa Daisy Crop

2011-05-15T19:53:00.005Z

Cocoa Daisy are having their spring crop this weekend but we were out yesterday but I have managed to catch up today.
Challenge #1 - Sketch and about something that has been hard for youChallenge #2 - Based on CD coverChallenge #3 - Black background and night themed LO Ollie has to take 2 toys to bed, one for each hand, even if it is a big spikey dragon!
Challenge #4 - Lines as a design focusI used the hearts in a line.
Pictures are from a wedding we went to recently. Louise and I liked our outfits but it was really all about the shoes!

Challenge #7 - LO using teal, pink and yellow

Scrap Rat May Kit

2011-05-15T19:29:00.004Z

I have started getting the monthly kit from the scrap rat, but I was a bit stuck for inspiration with it, so I checked out the design team work and used thiers as inspiration! I managed 4 LO's at Lisa's on Thursday, a lovely day it was too!

Art Journal Pages

2011-05-11T11:31:00.008Z

I have been playing alot in my Art journal in April and May so decided it was time to post some pictures! This first lot are inspired by Kate Crane

Lyrics from Take That

Inspired By Donna Downey Other Random pages

Great day and some scrapping

2011-05-11T10:14:00.006Z

Had a fab day with Sue and actually got some scrapping done!
Sketch Thursday 5.5 and Scrap Rat kit More LO with April Scrap rat kit. Cocoa Daisy kit and Pagemap sketches

Random Los and pagemap sketches

Pintrest

2011-04-18T19:16:00.001Z

I've found pintrest and now I spend even more time on the web!

I found these pom pom flowers and had to have a quick go!

I think I will be making more, probably in pink! Just need a reason!

iPhone and baking

2011-04-03T11:58:00.003Z

So I have finally joined the iPhone revolution so I am blogging from my phone!! I have been baking again, some cupcakes for Mike to take to work and then some "doughnut" cakes for Will's Easter fayre. Coffee and Walnut Pina Colada and Rum and Raisin Doughnut cakes!

Some Scrapping!

2011-03-21T17:48:00.008Z

Using what I have learnt on the SHe art course I made 3 canvas' for the kitchen. We had this Beatles song played as we walked back down the aisle when we were married And nobody fall over in shock, but I have done some scrapping! I'm not loving alot of them, but I need to get the scrapping mojo flowing. Most are from sketches using CD feb and Mar kits.

This one is based on a get your sketch on sketch using the Mar CD kit. This LO is also the one that caused me to knock over the maya road mist bottle as I was putting the lid back on and poured it over my cream carpet! Not allowed to use inks downstairs anymore!
This one is based on Inspirational Blueprints using Feb CD kit. This one is based on a SLO sketch from Sketch Support but I repeated it to make a DLO. Pictures are off My Dad's 60th BD meal at Gordon Ramsey's restaurant. These next 2 are from a New kit that has just started House of Art
This one is about my best friend Heidi. We are so different in so many ways but in others we just click. She is a true friend with a beautiful soul.
2 more random ones.

More she art.

2011-03-12T17:30:00.004Z

She was beautiful, inside and out. This on is a gift for a friend. She is quite a "Clean" lines person so I didn't want to go over the top with the layers.

She was happy just as she was.

He art!

2011-03-10T20:21:00.002Z

The boys wanted a canvas each but didn't want "girrrrrrllllllls!" so I tried to make a He art canvas instead! This one is for Ollie, I call him a dude, Mike a Cutie.
Some close ups
And my 3 girls from week 1, I kinda like them altogether!

More She Art

2011-03-06T21:04:00.002Z

OMG! I cannot begin to tell you how much I am enjoying this workshop! I can't wait for the next lessons tomorrow. Here are my next 2!

She is in my thoughts everyday
The black dots are modelling paste through sequin waste, covered in glitter
She let her inner artist explore.
The stars are glass bead paste coloured with green paint, the blue strip down is modelling paste covered in glitter and glitz roller pushed in it.

She Art workshop

2011-03-04T09:39:00.003Z

I am currently taking part in the She Art workshop run by Christy at Scarlet Lime, and this is my first She girl!
I am totally loving her and really enjoyed the process, I am already making 2 more! Question is where am I going to put them all!

Inspiration and another LO

2011-02-17T20:19:00.003Z

Forgot this LO, another CD LO, inspired by Anna's paint over it challenge.This next piece was inspired by Jennifer McGuire piece for Ranger at CHA, you can find her's here and here is mine, it's a BD present for a friend.

Cocoa Daisy, LO's and art journalling

2011-02-17T18:11:00.005Z

My Feb CD kit arrived so I finally broke out the Jan kit!
Lisa's Challenge over on CD is to scrap a story that might get forgotten. I was inspired by Ronda's stamp to document the boys love of their breakfast spoons. Picture of me on christmas day, the height of domestic sophistication! LO about Ollie's eye operation last year, he had blocked tear ducts and was such a brave boy. These next two aren't CD.
Will went as the cat in the hat for book week, I made his costume, I was really pleased with it, even put a wire coat hanger in the tail so it stayed up! Picture of me and my girl friends, I've got to know these girls since deciding to stay at home with the boys and they are brilliant.And some art journalling, well finsehed pages ready for journalling

Canvas and Journalling

2011-02-07T18:33:00.005Z

I really loved the LO I did of Mum recently so I decided to make it into a canvas. I had great fun and then I found Christy's blog and she inspired me to make this canvas, it's pretty much a lift of Christy's but I am really pleased with it. Few more Art journal pages.
This one was inspired by Donna Downey's inspiration wed video. she used a stamp but I hand drew mine.

Fantastic Day!

2011-01-16T21:47:00.005Z

Had a fab day at Sue's yesterday, and managed 8 more LO's! I think I have now made more LO's in the last week than I did in the whole of last year! Most were made with the Sept-dec Cocoa Daisy kits. Some are sketches
This one is the latest Sketchy Thursdays

This one is an old twisted sketch This one is a stuck Sketches This one is a scraplift from RubyClaire

LO Tastic!!

2011-01-13T22:28:00.006Z

So I really didn't scrap much last yeat and that make sme quite sad, I don't really know why I didn't but I don't want the same to happen this year. I've got 3 months of Cocoa Daisy kits not touched so decided to start there for the Dec kit. (it's a sketch but can't remember where! I will check) I was then looking at Ronda's blog today and her top 10 for last year and was totally inspired to make these LO's.
Mum and II love this one so much I think I will remake it into a canvas
2010 Summary for OllieSo after that one I realised I needed to do the same for Will and both the boths for 2009. Which got me thinking about all the photo's I take on my phone I then had a tidy in my craft room and found all these backgounds I made last year and then never scrapped!Phew! Not bad for a couple of days! Long may it continue!

Art journalling Everyday

2011-01-09T22:00:00.002Z

Some more pages from my art journals.
This one is based on a Take That song:
Eight Letters
Three Words
One Meaning.
Sprayed and doodled background, hand drawn letters at the bottom of the page

Art Journaling and a LO!

2011-01-05T21:49:00.005Z

So don't fall over but I actually did a LO!! was looking around for so inspiration and loved the colours at the colour room so here is my LO. I love this photo from last year, probably one of my favourites
I saw a challenge last year, was called "dress up" and it was to make dress for each month of the year. I really enjoyed Tim Holtz 12 Tags of christmas and it reminded me of this challenge, sort of 12 tags in a year! I had even brought a maya road chipboard dress form album to use as the base! The challenge is happening again this year here but with an artist style each month, however I have already made my dress! I will mix and match I think, So here is January's Dress!
Finally my journal for the last couple of days. I want to try and journal everyday, even if it is just a 3 word summary for everyday.

Journal Everyday

2011-01-02T21:11:00.004Z

Julie at Balzer Designs has set a challenge to Journal everyday, doesn't need to be a complete page, just something in your journal. So I have decided to try! I have made my own journal for this one, there aren't enough pages for one for everyday, more like a page per week.
Here is the journal
Here is page for 01/01/11!

12 Tags of Christmas Days 8&9

2010-12-09T18:27:00.002Z

Day 7
Day 8
I also made my own Journal for JYC, so it will be a cross between a scrapbook and an art journal this year (sewing and book binding all on my own! Not prefect but I am pleased with the result)

Butterfly Banner

2010-12-09T18:21:00.005Z

I made this banner a while ago for my wardrobe. It says "remember" Butterflies make me think of Mum so I like this daily reminder. The flowers are made from punched scalloped circles.

ArtsyCrafts Weekend

2010-12-09T18:13:00.004Z

I recently went to the artsycrafts weekend run by PaperArsty and LB Crafts. It was AMAZING and Leandra and Lin are totally brilliant, I would really recommend their classes if you get the chance. We made three things over the weekend (I haven't quite finished one of them!) but the main project was my favourite

Lin Brown of LB Crafts has these amazing flowers on her blog that I just had to try, here are mine, think I will be making more!

Art Journalling

2010-12-09T18:00:00.004Z

Sue has told me off for not blogging more often so here are some of the crafty stuff I have been up to!! Firstly some Art journal pages. Most of these have been done using the new rand of paints and inks from Art from the heart.

This first one was inspired by the amazing Kate Crane

Tim Holtz - 12 tags of Christmas

2010-12-07T22:16:00.003Z

Hello! I am still here! I have done some crafting, not much scrapping but I am hoping that will return! I have decided to try Tim Holtz 12 tags of christmas, So far I have managed to keep up!!!
I've tried to not get too hung up on copying exactly and just using my supplies (rather than shopping!)

Tag 1
I don't have Tim's house die so grew it and hand cut it, and made the tree out of wire and masking tape.Tag 2Tag 3
Not a fan of "Fowl" so I used a reindeer from my Slice instead, and did 2 tissue tape flowers which I loved!Tag 4
Didn't have any facets but had some flat ones so used that instead, loved the effect though Tag 5Tag 6Tag 7Display!
I made a garland from twine and stripes of material and then I am hooking the tags to it, I am quite pleased with it! I am also doing JYC this year but more as a art journal than a scrapbook, will sort some photos of that out over the next couple of days. Feels good to be crafting again.

Actually did some crafting!

2010-08-16T21:44:00.002Z

Yeah! I actually did some crafting! Decided after seeing Lisa's Fab LO that I had to give it a go (hope you don't mind the lift - but I really loved it!). I combined it with a LO for Good Grief blog which was to create a LO about photo's you wish you had. I just wish I had more. Photo is Mum and her best friend trying to avoid the photo taking!
I'm sad that these challenges are stopping but I have got loads of inspiration and I will def keep on scrapping about Mum. So Thank you for the inspiration Ladies.

A while a go Sue mentioned a website that was all about songs, this one was "I can see clearly" this made me think of how mike sings "I can see clearly now the mess has gone!" everytime I tidy up!
I got this hambly overlay in a kit (CD I think) and wondered what to do with it, I tried painting the back but still wasn't inspired, but then it came to me that I should just document my dislike (or should I say fear!) of peacocks
This final one is for CD Scraplift this month. Sue or Lisa (can't remember which one!) suggested that I should take the stuff I do for my art journal and make them backgrounds for LO's so I did! I then put Ronda's sketch on top, I quite like how it turned out!

Finally I must just say a MASSIVE congrats to Lisa for becoming a Dasiy Diva!! Totally and Utterly deserved!

On holiday in Turkey

2010-07-15T21:56:00.002Z

The Boys and I on holiday with Luke and Heidi in Turkry

I'm Alive!

2010-07-11T16:56:00.006Z

I am alive but have been mojoless!!! that and busy! Anyway I have had a lovely day with Lisa and Sue and feel a bit more creative, thanks to my 3 unused CD kits and Sketchy Thursdays and Twisted Sketches

Before that I did make 2 things for my beautiful new niece's Poppy bedroom.
Picture made using my slice
Mixed media canvas These are the LO's I made with Lisa
Sketchy Thursdays Sketchy ThursdaysAnd these with Sue,
Sketchy ThursdaysTwisted Sketched #56 - twist was redSketchy ThursdaysSketchy Thursdays
Sketchy Thursdays This one was an old studio challenge, using an advert as inspiration. I combined it with another old challenge on creative type to use monograms.

This one is a scraplift but I can't remember who's! Sorry

Art journalling and Dirty Scraps

2010-04-13T15:42:00.005Z

Now I love a good challenge blog and I have LOTS bookmarked, and I have recently found another one! Dirty Scraps looks great and I have started playing along, this is for the challenge #4 which was "In your eyes" - scrap how someone else sees you.This fitted in well after last week. Several of my Mum's friends and my Dad say that when they look at me the see my Mum, not just my looks but how I speak and my mannerism's.

Also found several art journalling blogs with challenges and prompts. These first ones are from
Heart the art
WafflingFearSearchingSome random pages from various journals

P52 and The Studio

2010-04-10T16:15:00.003Z

The current challenge on P52 was to do with Homes, dreams and 3d art. Well I started to do it and went off in another direction! Home always makes me think of "where the heart is" so that is what I went with. Base is an old 12inch record, gesso, music paper, paint and glimmer mist. Hanger from an old Bad girls kit. little houses are maya road. I made the roses from grunge paper al la Wendy Vecchi I really enjoyed making this.

Latest challenge on the Studio is to scrap a life changing event. for me that is losing Mum. I was inspired by one of Lisa's LO's and this is the result.

Bad Girls Jan10 Project

2010-03-29T21:48:00.005Z

The album that Wendy created with the Jan10 kit was great fun to make, lots of glitter and texture. She suggested using it to record resolutions for the year. Rather than making several at the begining of the year, make 1 or 2 every month - and record them in this album and that is what I am going to do.

Loved making this album and learnt lots about moulding paste!

Challenges

2010-03-29T13:48:00.003Z

So I have enjoyed scrapping again but right now I have sooo many photo's to scrap I don't know where to start! So decided challenges where what I need to get me going.
Firstly the latest Sketchy Thursday Sketch (Feb CD Kit) Next over on Bad Girls a LO with no paper! ( you were allowed a card base but I have used a prima canvas sheet as my base!) I haven't played along on the Good Grief Blog in a while and the latest challenge had me stumped, but then it all came together in about 10 mins last night. What would you do if you could have one more day? Journaling reads:
What would I do if I could have one more day with Mum?I thought about it alot, it hurt alot, the biggest hurt is that it would only be 24hours. We'd have to say Goodbye. Again. I don't think I could bear to losing her again. So what do I think about having another 24 hours with Mum? mostly I think ... No Thanks, it would be too hard.

Lastly I was going to do the Pencil lines sketch but loved one of the DT Lo's that I took inspiration from that instead (CD Mar kit)

Bad girls Song Challenge

2010-03-19T22:35:00.003Z

The challenge on Bad girls was to use a song that was a major part of your life - I couldn't think of one really I could think of loads! Sooooooooo I have taken an IKEA CD holder and altered it! I have recorded CD for each "era" of my life

Childhood

University Years

Mike and I

Boys

I have recorded the tracks onto a CD and this is in the LH pocket and there is a booklet in the RH pocket listing the track/s and explaining the memories!

And I will keep adding to it!

CD holder was gessoed, then I added music papers and then gessoed and glimmer misted. added stickes around the edge.

Bad Girls July 09 Project

2010-03-18T22:41:00.006Z

I Have finally got around to finishing the Proejct album for the July 09 Bad Girls kit - I am slowly working my way through them. There was alot of stickles involved here and a lot of drying time!

The album is all about the things in life that make me happy. There are lots of pockets and tags in it which hold my thoughts and reasons.

Scrappy Day at Sue's

2010-03-18T18:24:00.004Z

Realised I hadn't blogged the LO's from the Scrappy day at Sue's! Used SL and CD kits - not sure which ones!Here they are:
Ollie: Will's trousers are always falling down as he is so tall for his age but "tin ribs" so nothing to keep them up! My friends and I at my cocktail party for my birthday I've had the photo's of Will and Ollie's first shoes for ages - finally scrapped them Our new car! It's reg is UGG and has earned it the the name "the beast"

More Bad Girls!

2010-03-18T14:02:00.004Z

Got inspired to actually do some scrapping and use up some stash! Both of these LO's are from old Bad girls kits.
First Mike and I from last yearI have seen quite a few people do LO's of themselves at each birthday and I like the idea, I did one last year so this is this years!

Bad Girls Challenges

2010-03-17T16:09:00.002Z

There's loads going on at Bad girls at the moment, and I'm hoping all the challenges will get me going again! Anyway a While ago Juile Ann made a fab tutorial on making flowers out of coffee filters. Well I didn't have any of those so I gave it a go with tissue paper: Here is the finished result, I use white and then sparyed with glimmer mist. I will be makeing more of these!
Close up:Julie Ann also set a challenge to reuse old security envelopes (you know the ones bill's usually come in). 2 more challenges were to stamp using household items and scrap using a song, so I decided to roll all 3 challenges together!
Envelopes in stripes behind the photos
Stamped using bubble wrap and a lego brick (don't tell Will)
Title is lyrics from "you are my Sunshine" - I have song this song to both boys, but changing it to "You are my "William/Ollie" etc.
I only stuck the envelope stripes down with DSS tape and when I sprayed with glimmer mist it all curled up but I actually like how this turned out

Cocoa Daisy LO's

2010-02-07T21:34:00.004Z

Actually did some scrapping today! I have lots of kits that are untouched from the last couple of months so I hoped over to CD and I have done some of their weekely challenges
WK1 Hopes and Dreams for 2010

Wk3 LO with a long title I love how different I feel when I straighten my hair (Wk5 is a sketch which I have used here - 2 birds 1 stone and all that)

Wk4 Make a LO with small square photos,These are from my Dad's 60th Birthday week away

Lastly a LO with the Dec kit

LOTS of pages and one LO!

2010-02-06T14:32:00.006Z

So lots more pages to show - and ONE yes ONE actual LO. Firstly Crusade 37 - all about the X's and the O's! My A4 journalMy Febuary journal page,the bigger hearts are for the 1st - Our Ann, 14th - Valentines day and 24th - My Birthday.
Another page in my BIG journal - no journalling yet 2 more for my Favourites Altered Book.
My troll beadsMy love of numbers and number puzzles My "Daily" journal. FOr this one I am just creating lots of background pages and then journalling on them as the and when the mood takes me.I also realised that alot of the backgrounds I made in my first journal (made during my classes with Dina Wakley over at Get it scrapped) I had never finished and journalled on so I have now finished! It's so cool to see a finished journal and I am also loving have all these different sized ones on the go - though I think I may be getting slightly obsessed! I haven't really done much scrapping (can you tell!) partly due to lack of time ( another good thing about the art journalling is that you can just do a layer in minutes ane walk away, and just build it up over time, where as woth a LO I like to do it from start to finish) ANYWAY! I have loads of untouched kits so I have decided to try and work my way through them, this LO is using the Dec CD kit.

2010-02-02T18:48:00.002Z

Really into my art journalling at the moment! I have got 4 different sized journals on the go at, so I can be doing lots of backgrounds at once and working on one while the others dry.

Art journalling

2010-01-24T20:46:00.005Z

I found a really good challenge blog via Juile Prichard's blog called GPP Street team Crusades. The latest challenge was to make pages in 60mins using snowflakes. Here are my two:

Journalling reads"Snowflakes are beautiful and unique, we should try to be more like snowflakes rather than following the crowd and trying to be the same"

The previous challenge was to make a page using a a symbol that reminds you of a loved one. I used a butterfly, for Mum.

I saw a wall art piece that was a tree made of butterflies and that was the inspiration, the LHS is the lyrics to "love is like a butterfly" by dolly parton (music from my childhood) This was done in a large journal book I brought - liking this size (16inch by 10inchs ish)!

I also did this page in my large journal. The kids (egged on by Mike) call me the Gruffalo in the mornings as I am not at my best!

Another page - using lyrics from Ingrid Michaelson's song "Keep Breathing"

Finally got around to doing another page in my "Favourite Things" altered book. This page is about Twilight. The tags detail my favourite parts of each book.

I am still here!!

2010-01-20T20:17:00.002Z

I am still here! Not really done much done craft wise, managed to take pictures for JYC but not actually done anything with them! I made all the pages before Xmas so that is a start. I've got loads I want to do just don't seem to find the time. The loft is now finished and the rest of the house is almost back to normal - so hopefully I can get back to crafting.

One thing I have managed to start is a monthly diary/art journal. i saw it on Kathy's blog (can't remember where she found it!). Base page is paint, masking tape, distress ink and stamps. the photo's are ones I took during all the snow.
These Layouts are ones I did before Christmas at a wonderful day at Sue's with Lisa and Nicky

Good Weekend

2009-11-18T17:27:00.002Z

had a fab weekend with Sally, Kay and Shirley - didn't do much scrapping though! I did finish my LSNED which was good! I did this LO for the latest challenge on Butterfly Crafts which was to scrap what film/tv character you would be.
This is a LO about Ollie and his "scary face"!

Art Journalling

2009-11-18T17:14:00.003Z

Next lesson for the Art journalling class was to add more paint as "top texture", add some of the confined collages and then add the "graffti" - I chose to use quotes that I liked.

Art journalling 301

2009-11-08T22:34:00.004Z

Latest lesson is to create what Dina calls confinded collages. Basically make a big sheet of collage and then cut up into your journal motif (in my case hearts).

While I was painting the boys want to paint too and were using the same paint as me so I decided to use some of their painting in my collage sheets.Collage sheets have also been sewn on tooFinal confined collages

Art Journalling 301 - With Dina Wakley

2009-11-08T16:06:00.004Z

I am totally loving this latest class with Dina over on Get it scrapped - I think it must be my fav class of hers. This one is doing a whole art journal in one go rather than pages and techniques - here are the results of the first classes:
Colour wash base: Ink Stenciling:Creating mini pages:

Scarlet Lime Oct 09

2009-11-06T18:08:00.003Z

Found a new sketch site (Thanks Fay!) Sketchy Thursday So here are 2 LO's using the last 2 sketches. This LO's is something I have wanted to record for a while, it is a copy of my brother's speech at Mum's funeral. The journalling reads:
I don't know how Glenn managed to give his speech at Mum's funeral. He held it together, he was funny, tender and so full of pride for Mum. He was amazing. Never thought he would do it and I was so proud to stand beside him as he did it.

Bad Girls Project 52 Challenge 2

2009-11-05T14:37:00.004Z

Bad Girls Project 52 Challenge 2 was to recycle/alter an old text book using the theme of school or education and to use office supplies.

Here are my starting supplies!
I have just found all my old school reports and school stuff and so this challenge was perfect timing.

I made a book using the 2 clipboards and the pages are all envelopes. I aged them all with tea, covered them in paper (mostly from the Sept Cocoa Daisy kit) aged the paper with a wash of gesso and then COVERED them in glimmer mist and alot of it!!! I used alphabet stencils and a circle stencil with the glimmer mist and then after spraying turned them over and used the negative on the back of the envelope pages. I also used paper clips and bulldog clips as masks with the glimmer mist
The clipboards were covered with the pages from the book (using a technique Wendy at Bad Girls showed me in a monthly kit) to give a textured feel.

I cut out the middle of all pages and put in a photo from my last year at school and about half way through put a photo from my first year at school. I covered the book in gesso and then more paint and glimmer mist.

SFIO - Grief

2009-10-22T16:42:00.003Z

I haven't been involved in the challenges over on Scrapbooking from the inside out, but this month the emotion is Grief and I needed to do some. So using the Sept Bad Girls kits here are a few LO's

Challenge 1: LO about the stages of grief. Journalling reads:
Grief is a cycle, a neverending cycle. It's something i think I will never get over and to be honest I don't think I want to "get over" losing Mum. I need to learn to accept that it is now part of who I am

Challenge 2: Lo about tears and crying Title reads: Sometimes you need a bloody good cry.
In the corner is a small photo of wine, ice cream and chocolate and it reads " or there's .."

Challenge 4: This was a joint challenge with the Good Grief blog. Create a LO about a conversation you would have with your loved one. There really is only one thing I would say to Mum and that is "I Miss You"

Believe Banner - Bad Girls Sept

2009-10-15T18:11:00.003Z

One of the projects with the Bad Girls Sept kit was an "Inspiration Banner". I chose the word Believe, and it is now hanging in my craft room (which is still blue as it was Will's room and I haven't redecorated yet!) I really enjoyed making this, lots of glitter and glimmer mist!

More Mixed Media Art

2009-10-08T18:55:00.006Z

So the Sept challenge on Bad Girls is "Paint me Pretty" - basically use paint - alot. So here is my Canvas! Which is also for the latest challenge on Good Grief blog - which is to create something throught the eyes of a child.

When Mum died we told Will that she was in heaven which was up with the stars. This also made me think of a song from "Joesph"

"There's one more angel in heaven,
There's one more star in the sky,
There's one less place at our table,
There's one more tear in my eye."

And that was the inspiration for the canvas.
There's lots of paint, glimmer mist (my new fav thing!!), Ink and glitter.

Scarlet Lime Retreat LO

2009-10-04T17:42:00.004Z

So this weekend I had some time away with 5 other ladies form UKS that all get the Scarlett Lime kit, It was a fab weekend lots of scrapping, great food, the x factor and strictly and brilliant company. Here are the results of my weekend!

LO's using Sept SL kit

Audry showed us how to make a fab mini book to keep a list of BD's etc in

Year review LO's

Sept challenge on Bad Girls - use paint on a LO or project

General LO's

Art journaling pages

2009-10-04T12:30:00.004Z

Been doing quite alot of art journalling. All the backgrounds and techniques are from Dina Wakley's classes over on Get it scrapped

Eventful time for the boys!

2009-09-17T19:49:00.002Z

So it's been an eventful cope of weeks for the boys,

First Ollie decided to fall off our bed and fracture his elbow so is in a full cast for 3 weeks (don't feel sorry for him! this is why parents tell their kids not to jump on the bed as it will end in tears!!!)

Secondly Will started School! Doesn't he look smart! He loves it went off no problems. Just wants to know when he can go all day (5th Oct) He's so excited

Altered Canvas

2009-09-17T19:32:00.005Z

Made my first "mixed media" canvas. I was inspired by a canvas that Rhonda over at CD and OLW made.
The quote reads: Remembering you is easy, we do it everyday. Missing you is a heartache that never goes away.

LSNED 09 1st to 5th

2009-09-07T20:18:00.003Z

Decided to give Learn Something New Everyday again this year. I signed up 2 years ago and never actually done it yet!! So far I am having fun

Good Grief

2009-09-07T20:06:00.004Z

Fay pointed me in the direction of a New Challenge blog, with a difference, this one is all about grief, scrapping and healing.

The 2nd challenge was to just scrap what you feel. I have done a LO and also a art journal page.
The hidden journalling reads:
I feel like if I let go of how I am feeling I won't be able to reign to all back in. I feel it all sat, hanging over me, bubblking away, but I can't bring myself to give into it, to let it out for fear of what might happen. I don't think I can handle the pain.

Long Time no post!

2009-09-07T13:06:00.007Z

Wow! What a busy summer! I have been crafting a bit and here are the LO's.

Firstly a couple of LO's using my SL kit and CD kits

I went to a fab all day crop with Sue where the Amazing Tracie Hudson was teaching us 4 LO's, 2 Prima and 2 Sassfrass, Here are mine.

This weekend I went to Fun crops 1st BD crop with Kay, Sal, Shirley and Sarah and lots of other lovely ladies. We had a kit to make a mini book and LO from, My mini book was voted the winner!!

Cocoa Dasiy LO's

2009-07-27T08:24:00.002Z

2 quick LO's from my CD July kit which I love, both using glimmer mist! I am loving it

Cocoa Dasiy LO

2009-07-16T20:35:00.001Z

Just done a quick LO tonight from the holiday. All June CD kit

Bad Girls June 09 Project - finished!

2009-07-16T17:25:00.004Z

I finished my book!

The whole thing! It's a tad on the thick side!

Bad Girls June 09 Project

2009-07-15T17:29:00.005Z

My Bad Girls project for this month is a Mini enevlope album, with lots of ageing techniques and gesso involved! Wendy's idea for the book was to write love letters to yourself. but I am going to use it to keep all the letters I have been wiritng to Mum since she died. I feel it's the closest thing to having a real conversation with her, as if she was here and I wrote a letter to her I wouldn't get answers straight away (IYSWIM!)

Not my usual style but I have enjoyed doing it. Not finshed yet but here are some of the pages.

Crafy Day

2009-07-02T07:57:00.003Z

Had a lovely day at Sue's, did alot of chatting and crafting!
First LO is from June's SL kit with some added extras. Will doing his rock star stage jump off the sofa! Boys at Natural History Museum Ollie giving Will some brotherly love whether he wanted it or not!last 2 are from my first Cocoa Daisy kit.
Canvas of Mum, really please with this Mum and Will, Mum called Will her "little Man" (this is the pre workshop challenge for the Tracie Hudson workshop I am doing next week - was a sketch and had to use paint, ribbon and 5 lines or more of journalling)

Mini Book

2009-06-26T11:08:00.003Z

We had Total Papercrafts come and teach a couple of classes at our weekend away, one of which was a fab mini book! The sanding was a pain so won't be doing scallops again! but I love the effect. I gave it to my Dad as the pictures are of his birthday dinner at Gordon Ramsey's in London

Fab Weekend

2009-06-22T17:14:00.004Z

Had a great weekend away with my 365 ladies from UKS, lots of scraping, chatting, drinking and fun and games with a cuddly hedgehog!!!

Another SL LO

Camping Trip in New ForestOllie and his glasses

Then I decided to try and finish my A to Z album that I started last year!

Pink

RelaxStroppyThinkerUntidy

Finally some crafting

2009-06-03T21:08:00.003Z

Finally managed to get some crafting done with my May kits!
Firstly my SL kit
Ollie has started pulling this really frowny/pouty face when he doesn't get his own way. I saw the rules on Emily Falconbridges blog - Very funny!
1. If I like it, it is mine.
2. If it is in my hands, it is mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it is mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it is mine.
5. If it is mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I am doing or building something, all of the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine

Will and Ollie at longleat on Ollie's bd
My friend came down in his plane and took Will and Mike up in his plane. LHS of the LO is scrunched up and painted toliet paper! (Challenge from scrapping outside the book)

I didn't manage to complete any of the challenges over on SFIO this month but the kit was lovely so I did this Lo of Ollie from the holiday
Finally a LO with my Bad Girls kit

Holiday fun

2009-05-27T20:15:00.004Z

Had a fab time with the boys in Menorca, really good time and they were sooo good.

View from the apartmentSand boatJumping the wavesSand CastlesOllie enjoyed the melon (he had it for breakfast and pudding everyday!)

Scarlet Lime - more LO's

2009-05-08T21:01:00.005Z

Did a couple more LO's usng the March/April SL kit.

First one is about the boys fancy dress at nursery. It was an under the water theme, Wll chose to be a Sting Ray and Ollie was a Jelly fish! Will wore his all day and Ollie kept saying "jelly fish off!"

It was the first time I have made them costumes and I felt like a proper Mum!

This one is for a challenge on Cocoa Dasiy which was to use a CD cover as inspiration, I chose this one.

Here is my LO

Photo was taken by my brother on holiday last week.

Little Monsters Mini Book

2009-05-03T20:44:00.004Z

Sue made a fab little mini book with flaps and doors and I loved it so much i had a go at one myself, but not quite so girlly! Some of my favourite pics of the boys at the moment.

Bad Girls NSD

2009-05-03T19:48:00.003Z

Over on Bad Girls they have had some fab classes for NSD - one was a girlly butterfly mobile, now I love mobiles but no girls! Soooooo I decided to give my Slice a work out with the new Teen cuts and made a mobile for Will!

Bad Girls Apr 09

2009-04-23T20:10:00.002Z

Two more LO's
Under my mum's stairs was a cupboard that my brother and I used as a den, and we drew on the stairs time machine controls!
You can't see it very well in the photo but there is netting sewed under the photo.

I love this photo of Mum and I (I can't really rememeber the photo being taking, I think Will had just been sick on me!!)

Scarlet Lime - April Kit

2009-04-23T19:01:00.003Z

finally got my SL kit! Had a big scrap day at Lisa's - just what the Dr ordered! Also it was my turn to set a challenge for the ladies on UKS with their SL kits!

So my challenge is - Scissor Happy!
There are alot of bold papers in the kit so my challenge is to cut them up! Lo about my little crop! with Sue, Lisa and Nicky

Photo from our 6th Wedding ann. background is actually a photo of the lattice work "art" behind where we were sitting!
This LO is about how Will is starting to "read" to Ollie, it's so cute! Oh and I have finally used my sewing machine on my LO's - I LOVE IT!

Think the boys are moving out!

2009-04-19T20:24:00.003Z

Dad and I have spent almost 2 days building the boys a new playhouse - it took a long time but it was worth it! It has flowers in the window box, a door bell, lights inside, table and stools and fluffy cushions in the "loft"!! You can just see the boys having their tea!

Today a friend from University came down with his plane and took Will and Mike up in it! Was worried how Will would be but he loved it! I made this photo cube for me, it's my fav photos of Mum and I.

Busy Busy!

2009-04-17T14:16:00.004Z

Been makinf things for other people recently! Made this mini book for Mike's parents (transparent book was a BD present from the lovely Sue)

Sue joked about wanting an altered egg collector (she's got chickens!) so I made her one!
Bag was from my Mothers day flowers from the boys

Made this set of canvas for my Dad. They are from his holiday with Mum to Mauritius.
Used the April Bad Girls kit

Mini books Galore

2009-03-27T14:38:00.004Z

Had a mini book fest!
Firstly I finally finished off my 2008 book. I saw it on It's a creative world (I think!). It's made from shaped 12x12 paper, folded in half to make the pages. I made double pages and used some thick acetate as the cover We went to the farm last week and Ollie is really into his animals so I made him a little chipboard book with the photos in. This book is our holiday last year, it is made from BIA covers. The front and back are 7x5 and the pages are 4x4, sort of gate fold! but the front cover like a normal book (IYSWIM!)

Bad Girls March Kit

2009-03-27T13:22:00.003Z

Finally got my Mar kit - customs GRRRRRRRR

Lisa made a fab LO around her birthday with random things and I thought it was such a good idea I did it cool!

When I put the boys to bed I always say:
Nighty Nighty
Sleep tighty
See you in the morning
Love you!
Ollie has started to repeat it, whenever he happens to lie down on anything! Scrapped the photo of Will and I

Scarlet Lime

2009-03-21T16:15:00.007Z

I got my March SL kit this week and had a big scrap session last night!
Reality of a newborn babyWill and I - Will is 10 days old!

Mother's Day - never going to be the same. With Mothers Day this week I have been thinking about Mum alot. I know I am a Mum now but I still that mothers day is about me being the child. I miss looking for gifts for mum, seeing all the adverts makes my heart ache, makes me feel like I am having my nose rubbed in the fact I don't have Mum anymore.

CUGGLE Ollie can't say cuddle, he says cuggle!

Fun at the Farm Had a spur of the moment trip to the farm yesterday, just the 3 of us - it was great.

SFIO and some LO's

2009-03-15T21:53:00.003Z

This months theme over on SFIO is SPIRIT. First challenge was music
I created my LO about music that will always life my spirt if I am feeling low
Anything by Abba
Build me up buttercup - foundations
She's so lovely - Scouting for girls
Feeling Good - Nina Simone
Walking on sunshine - Katrina and the waves
Lollipop - Mika
I don't feel like dancing - Scissor Sisters
Relight my fire - Take That

2nd was is there part of you that you hide that you want to show peopleFor me I think that I don't really have anything hidden - what you see is what you get

Others are random!
Firstly Dad and GlennMike and I Ollie is obsessed about trying other peoples shoes on!

Bad Girls Feb Kit and another Challenge!

2009-03-13T13:29:00.003Z

So another Challenge blog! Category Stories. The challenge was to create a LO using the idea of Precious things. I decided to go for those little things that really mean something to me.
Journalling:
Broomus: mum's teddybear
My comfort blanket: I have had it since I was 3
Bumbalion: The last christmas present from my grandad before he died
My earrings: Dad had the diamonds from Mum's engagement ring made into earrings for me for my birthday the year after Mum died
Grandad's blanket: He had this over his legs the last time I say him.
Thumper:He was my Nan's and for as long as I can remember I have loved him. He plays Brahams Lullaby,
Used the Feb SFIO kit

My Feb kit from Bad Girls finally arrived (Customs GRRRRRR!) Anyway Wendy (the Boss!) had made a lovely little Mini Book using one of the sheets of card and it inspired me to do mine. It's all my favourite stories and photos from my 3 years at University I practically used the whole kit! Now that is unheard of for me. I added the acrylic covers, cut the pages to different sizes. The ribbons sticking out of the top are all tags that are inbetween the pages with journalling on.
I had a great trip down memory lane and I am glad that all the photo's and stories and in the one place.

Art journal - Lots of layers

2009-03-08T18:33:00.005Z

this weeks lessons have been about layering and image altering. Homework was to create pages with at least 10 layers. I thought it would be hard to do - look too messy etc, having said that I had great fun and got quiet a few done!
This first one I haven't finished yet but I don't know how to finish it off yet
This one started with the image transfer in the middle (which didn't come out as well as I would have liked but there are no mistakes right!!!!
Another image transfer, I have been thinking about Mum alot and this page is about that
Another lesson has been how to paint over a photo to give it a different look this is my first go which didn't come out so well but I am much happier with the second attempt
Here's the orignal next to the painted/altered one
I have never considered myself artisitc (creative yes, artistic no, can't draw for love nor money!) But I am really enjoying learning to play with paint and ink!!! Will have to try some of these things on a LO!

I recognise that face!

2009-03-07T14:35:00.002Z

I was looking for some old photo's today and when I saw this one of me I couldn't believe how familiar the look was! Check it out for yourselves!

More Scarlet Lime and Art journalling

2009-03-05T20:47:00.003Z

Another LO with my SL kit. Photo is of Kate and I. Kate and I have known each other for 23 years! Very scary!Have also done a few pages in my art journal
Feeling Blue : image transfer using Gel Medium Everyday : never ending chore of washing See : How I am learning to like what I see in photos and the mirror (inspired by current OLW challenge)

Challenges Galore!

2009-03-04T21:52:00.006Z

Spent a fab day with Lisa and managed to complete loads of challenges! (you know me I like a good challenge)
Firstly, The Design Experiment which was to scrap either red or yellow and what they mean to you. I went with red. I thought about all the things the red makes me think of and realised that alot of them were kind of opposites
Next, Dreamgirls. They have an advert on their website to use as inspiration, and we had to add a non scrapbook item and a safety pin!
I used the title in the advert as my inspiration
Non scrapbook items are strip of masking tape painted green (under the word "little", and staples. The safety pin is in the nose of one of the monsters!
Journalling is about how Ollie is going to be trouble! and that that smile of his is going to get him into and out of alot of trouble! He is just too cheeky!

The first challenge is up on Punk rock scrappers, "For this challenge, scrap about YOU! What makes you different, unique, or unexpected? What are your personality quirks?" I went for the angle of my parents and upbringing make me who I am, the good, the bad, the crazy and the sad.
Title says
they're crazy and there kooky,
they're sometimes a bit goofy,
they're altogether loopy,
the Rumbol family!
(sing to Addams family theme!!!)
All made using my first Scarlett Lime kit

This one not a challenge but is using the Feb SL kit, Ollie having fun with Auntie Carly's 30th Bd hat.

Art Journalling 101

2009-03-03T15:17:00.007Z

Found this course online and it was just what I wanted! A basic, start at the begining, 101 course! So I have spent the last couple of days getting messy with paint and making some backgrounds

Commission

2009-03-03T15:07:00.004Z

I friend asked me to make a Mini photo album/book for her neice's christening - plus some other bits!

Card

Keepsake box

Wooden letter

Colouring in isn't just for kids!!!

2009-03-03T15:00:00.003Z

Thanks to Claire I now have got back into card making! I loved her Whiff of Joy stamps when we met so I now have some of my own! Here they are - just got to make them into cards!

Here are 2 I made using Claire's

The Craftyness of Nerdbird

More paintings!

Canvas'

Finally Scrapping again!

Will's Harry Potter Party

She art 2

Tim Holtz 12 tags of christmas

Painting and thrifting!

Actually scrapped!

Canvases

Painting and baking

Not for the squeamish!

More baking

Cupcake bouquet

More Cocoa Daisy

Cocoa Daisy Crop Canvas

Cocoa Daisy Crop

Scrap Rat May Kit

Art Journal Pages

Great day and some scrapping

Pintrest

iPhone and baking

Some Scrapping!

More she art.

He art!

More She Art

She Art workshop

Inspiration and another LO

Cocoa Daisy, LO's and art journalling

Canvas and Journalling

Fantastic Day!

LO Tastic!!

Art journalling Everyday

Art Journaling and a LO!

Journal Everyday

12 Tags of Christmas Days 8&9

Butterfly Banner

ArtsyCrafts Weekend

Art Journalling

Tim Holtz - 12 tags of Christmas

Actually did some crafting!

On holiday in Turkey

I'm Alive!

Art journalling and Dirty Scraps

P52 and The Studio

Bad Girls Jan10 Project

Challenges

Bad girls Song Challenge

Bad Girls July 09 Project

Scrappy Day at Sue's

More Bad Girls!

Bad Girls Challenges

Cocoa Daisy LO's

LOTS of pages and one LO!

More pages

Art journalling

I am still here!!

Good Weekend

Art Journalling

Art journalling 301

Art Journalling 301 - With Dina Wakley

Scarlet Lime Oct 09

Bad Girls Project 52 Challenge 2

SFIO - Grief

Believe Banner - Bad Girls Sept

More Mixed Media Art

Scarlet Lime Retreat LO

Art journaling pages

Eventful time for the boys!

Altered Canvas

LSNED 09 1st to 5th

Good Grief

Long Time no post!

Cocoa Dasiy LO's

Cocoa Dasiy LO

Bad Girls June 09 Project - finished!

Bad Girls June 09 Project

Crafy Day

Mini Book

Fab Weekend