THE ARTFUL CODGER

OMG!!! An award

2012-02-23T21:52:00.000Z

Yes guys i have just been given my very first blog award from the lovely KatyB at her blog here I cannot believe that another crafter (via her comment on my MIA post) that she finds my work inspiring and loves my blog enough to honour me with a blog award, i'm so happy and excited, can you tell? I can't believe that after all this time i have been blessed with an award, thankyou so much Katy!
Hugs, Vick xxxxx

M.I.A

2012-02-19T09:59:00.000Z

I am so sorry followers and visitors alike, i really should apologise for my absence from here at my blog, and my YouTube channel 'vixcrafts' as i havent been on here for ages and my last video was over 3 weeks ago, i have several excuses, but thats what they are, excuses! So i will now make a promise.........I Vick promise to buck my ideas up and get my arris into gear!! again so sorry and i hope it doesnt happen again, have a great Sunday and take care, Hugs & Blessings, Vick xxxx

We have snow!!

2012-02-05T08:06:00.001Z

We finally have snow in my neck of the woods, we were the first to get snow last winter 2010-11 but this season this is our first lot, and how heavy the fall was, it dumped nearly 5inches in just over a few hours, i was spurred on to take these pics when i saw the pink sky and the sun rising, and the snow, these were taken about 30mins ago at 7.30am 5th Feb 2012
Stay safe guys, and if its snowing where you are keep warm xxxx Hugs & Blessings, Vick

Lazy Susan

2012-01-29T10:28:00.000Z

Hi Guys,
I do hope this post finds you happy and well on this Sunday morning, a little too cold out there for moi, so i am in my bed, as i haven't had more than 2hrs sleep all night i thought i would have a nap if i could, but i wanted to post this pic first!
Sometime ago i bought 3 lazy Susan's one for our kitchen with all the condiments etc for the middle of the kitchen table and 2 for my craft studio. My idea was to give them a crackled paint, treatment and then paint some flowers and ivy trailing around them on them both, i have loved the Shabby Chic look for about 30years and my aim is to have at least 2 rooms in my house in this style. I haven't gotten around to painting them yet but here is a great idea for those H20&Cosmic Shimmer cd's.........

Great eh?...so i thought when i want a colour from the other side i can just twirl the lazy susan around to where that particular colour is, and it works really well too. You may also notice that i have some Cosmic Shimmer Mica pots on there too, and they look like they're just on there but they're not! they are on clear cd's, you know the one at the top of every new pack of cd's on a spindle? Another great idea from a fellow crafter, great because you can see the name of your paint or mica through the bottom! why oh why did i not think about this before i stuck my other H20's&Cosmics to normal cds (idea below) cause i havent got a cat in hell's chance of knowing all those colours names, as my paints are roughly 6years old!! Oh well, you live and learn........obviously the tops stay on the micas when not in use or they would be ruined everytime i spritz my paints, also on there are some large pots of cosmic shimmer paints (stackables)and some Luminarte Primary Elements, so everything fits on nicely and this idea, was finally, (drum roll) one of mine, so why not get yourself a lazy susan and spin your paints too!! LOL.........enjoy people
Hugs&Blessings, Vick x

Crafty Help!!

2012-01-27T20:26:00.001Z

Oh i so wish there was something like this when i started out, as i would have saved so much money. If you are on Facebook and you have a crafting question, you could do yourself a favour and go to the page Craft Clinic, this particular page is run by my friends and myself to help fellow crafters get the best from their crafts and if they need advice on what products to use, we will advise them for the best products to buy that will give them the best results, not because we work for a tv craft channel and we are product focussed, but because we are fellow crafters and we want you to spend your money on products that do what they're supposed to do at a high level, and not cause a false economy where you're having to buy the same thing many times over, to get the results you should have got first time from a far superior product!! We run this group as crafters for crafters and we are there to help you!!!not ourselves......hope to see you there soon guys!!
Have you got a top tip? share it with your fellow crafters at Craft Clinic!!!

I WON CANDY!!!

2012-01-27T20:19:00.000Z

Yippee,
I found out yesterday 26thJan, that i won a stamp that was some blog candy at jacques joie de vivre blog, so will be looking forward to that arriving all the way from the U.S from my fellow blogger Jacque, a great crafter and very generous lady!!
Thanks Jacque, Vick xx

A clever storage idea!!

2012-01-23T13:45:00.001Z

Hey Guys,

Watching one of my fav crafty experts last week, and she (Sheena) had a brilliant idea of how to store your H20's, well i have Cosmic Shimmers too, so on some cd's i added 7or8 on them and my H20's. There are some pics below so you can get an idea of what i mean and the last pic shows the big pots stackable Cosmic's, i will either leave them stacked or go nick my lovely hubby's cd spindles as i have used mine, lol......hope this inspires you, hugs Vick xx

IMPORTANT

Just realised that the stackable cosmic shimmer paints cannot be stored in this way as they do not have a level base they have a 5mm incline at the bottom where the thread is for them to be stacked so unless you have Collal Gel or Pinflair coming out of your ears you wouldn't wanna waste that much. Thought i'd let you all know so you have a heads up!! x

When the fairy met the Orchid!

2012-01-20T22:51:00.004Z

Hi Guys,

Whoa, whats this i see? 2 posts in the same day?? Surely this is a blip, an error or have i gone mad? neither, i just saw a challenge that i had to get involved with, that's starting to sound familiar with me lately. I started out with joining no challenges....... to joining 3 in the same week!!! I am actually enjoying doing my tuts on You Tube and now getting involved with blog challenges, so don't be surprised if you see me entering again next time. I also would really love your comments on my videos and makes on here, i don't mind you critquing me, any publicity is good publicity and any criticism is welcome, good or bad!! So, i just had to enter one particular challenge today at Lili's Little Fairies, as the theme is 'Lavender and Lace' well, two of my most favourite things, shared with some of my most favourite stamps courtesy of a wonderful company named Lili of the Valley, how could i NOT have a go? Don't you just love their fairies? anyhow without further ado, here is my offering, partnered up with Wild Orchid Craft goodies (hence the heading)

This card is being entered into the Lili's Little Fairies Challenge 3 and
Creative Inspiration HERE and the theme is 'your favourite colour & white' so mine is purples and white.

Ingredients used to make this card

Tilda 'Lavender' 12x12 stack from Panduro Hobby
LOTV stamp
Coloured in with Promarkers
Doily from Joanna Sheen
Lace in bow & large green leaf from my own stash.
Lace as border from Wild Orchid Crafts
Irridescent diamantees from Joanna Sheen
Lace flower made by me and lilac peaarl brad from Wild Orchid Crafts
Stick Pin made by me
Rosehip lilac buds, mauve heather, white tulip, pearl on wire embellishment, lilac calla lily & my favourite shade of purples, aubergine in 40mm Trellis Rose, all are from Wild Orchid Crafts
Lilac&cream orchid from Joanna Sheen
Cosmic Shimmer glitter 'Aurora Sparkle'
White linen base card

If you're interested in the lace flower made by me, i have a video on YT that shows you just how to make them, below

Hope you like my card, thanks for popping by, and thanks for following me, Hugs Vick xxxx

A Vintage Video Offering

2012-01-20T03:22:00.000Z

Hi crafters,
Its so nice of you to visit me today, and i so appreciate my visitors and followers, you dont know how much. I have noticed that people are enjoying my videos and what a lovely compliment that is, as i then know my efforts aren't wasted and people are watching them, and i enjoy making them so its a win, win!!!
I have been asked to do a video of how to stamp and paint to make a vintage scene, so using my favourite distress inks i have done just that, so if you're ready for 20mins a vintage stampery, grab yourself a drink, get comfy and press play!!!! I truly hope you enjoy and/or get something from the video
Blessings and hugs to you all, Vick xxxx

WOC Challenge

2012-01-16T10:31:00.000Z

Hi there,

Normally i'm not one for challenges, i think i'm not good enough, etc etc anyway, i was cutting up some images that i had found from a sheet i had printed up last year and they were all vintage images, my favourite thing, is vintage, anyway, i always use Wild Orchid Crafts, goodies so thought what the heck, its 'Anything Goes' so i might as well make a card and enter, so this is my entry for this fortnight's challenge,
Thanks for coming to see me today xxx

Ingredients used in my card

Dp is all Prima Romantique
Vintage image from Joanna Sheen cd
Spellbinders dies
Kraft Card
Gold Mirri card
Brown Coredinations Card
Gold Rattan ribbon flower handmade by me with a WOC brad
all Roses, Gypsophilia & Heather from WOC
Distressed with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo & Walnut Stain

So i am entering this card in the W.O.C Challenge and you can buy all the WOC items from HERE

Mum's Calendar Wall Hanging (still pics)

2012-01-14T09:09:00.000Z

Here is the still pics that i promised for you to look at, hopefully for some inspiration, so without further ado i will post them forthwith!

Thankyou for your comments xx

Mum's 2012 Calendar Plaque

2012-01-14T08:52:00.000Z

Hi Folks what a chilly weekend we're having eh?

Do you remember the plaque i crackle painted in my very first video on YouTube, and its featured on here too? Well ive finished it, its now a handmade finished hanging plaque that is useable as a calendar for my mum. She loves roses, especially red ones and she loves the colour red, so i kept all this in mind whilst designing it, oh i do hope she likes it. I have made a 5min video showing it to you, what i used on it and where to buy the products, hopefully you have 5mins spare to be inspired, i will also follow this post up with a couple of still pics so you can see what it looks like up close and personal, so to speak, anyway, thankyou so much for your continued support and i hope i inspire someone today!!! Hugs & Blessings, Vick xxxxxx

Thankyou xxxx

Lilac Ribbon Rose

2012-01-12T02:31:00.000Z

Hi Guys,

Last week i did a posting on here and then went one better and did a tuition video, showing you exactly how to make a flower, using wired organza ribbon! Anyway, i thought maybe i could do this same flower with normal organza (not wired) and a smaller circle to make a super cute ribbon flower and it worked, because i used a smaller circle and only 1inch wide organza, its small, i also added a lilac flower to the middle. I haven't done a video on this as i have other ideas too so will do all the ideas in one tuition video, however, i thought i would show you the pics i took of this cutie xxxx hope you like it

Making a flower from lace

2012-01-10T23:23:00.000Z

Hi there,

Thought i would pop by and post my latest video on YT, i literally made it tonight (10th Jan) and thought if one person is inspired to make some thats good enough for me, now onto the video which is in my 'How To' range, meaning they are tuition videos, enjoy guys!!! Vick x

Chocolate Box Bow!!

2012-01-09T05:36:00.000Z

Have you ever wondered how to make one of those bonny bows, do you wanna know how to make one? well i have a new video up that shows you just that and how to add a little bit of bling to it too, so click on the link below and enjoy!!! Hugs, Vick xx

How's your New Year Going?

2012-01-06T00:40:00.000Z

Hi Guys,

No crafty offering in this post, just wanted to touch base with my followers and ask you how your New Year is going? Mine is quiet and even though i have much to do, like sort out my craft studio so i can do things in it, my energy levels are at zero, my disabilities have caused a lot of pain and ive been ill with a virus and constant sinus headaches on top, so not the best of times to try doing something that's going to make me worse! I have a couple of ideas for YouTube videos and was wanting a little bit of feedback, and asking you if there is something you would like to see on a tuition video, and could you leave me a comment with your idea and i'll see what i can do, so, get your thinking caps on and thankyou, Hugs Vick xxxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2012-01-01T06:07:00.004Z

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my blog followers, blog watchers, and YT (YouTube) FB (facebook) a Very Happy New Year!!! For the crafty side of things, my New Years resolution, is to be more forthcoming with my posts on here and on Youtube, I intend to do more videos on How-To (tuitional) videos, and basically ideas that i like to share with you all. The aim for my blog is to have very regular posts maybe 2-3 times weekly instead of 'when the moon turns to cream cheese' lol......i will also be running blog hops and challenges, and blog candy moments, when i can afford to do so!!! So there you go, plans for 2012! My personal aim was always to give up smoking and lose weight, now that isnt applicable as i stopped smoking 5 years ago and ive tried to lose weight and get nowhere,as i had large tumour on my thyroid gland 10years ago and had to havea thyroidectomy & the tumour removed taking most of my thyroid with it, meaning i hardly have any metabolism (hence extensive weightgain over the years) and now because i am less active i cannot exercise, so what the heck? im gonna have to seriously think about the personal resolution, anyway, Happy New Year to you all and i hope this one is better than the last for us all, Hugs Vick xxxxx

The video you've all been waiting for!!!

2011-12-31T07:38:00.000Z

Thanks guys for following me since posting videos from YT (youtube) and following my posts on this blog..........i love you all, so here it is, enjoy, and Happy New Year to all my present and future followers, love Vick xxxxxxxx

A Simple Wired Ribbon

2011-12-26T18:18:00.002Z

Hi Guys,

Well, its Boxing Day across the western world and I have just come to my bedroom for a little bit of R&R after helping John set up a buffet of delightful yummy tastes, for our son Kris who lives with us (and went into nursing, like his mummy, proud isnt the word) and one of our other sons Ian and his beautiful girlfriend Danielle (& she is gorgeous, our boy done good, lol) they are both on Christmas leave as they are both in the British Army and have been for 5 years, we couldn't be prouder parents!! they are all here to enjoy the festivities. I have had to come up here as my back and old bones are killing me, but i'll go back down later tonight as we are having an evening of MW3 (modern warfare 3) i bought John, and an Ouija & spiritual session later to contact our friends and loved ones on the otherside as i am a spiritualist medium and thats how we roll!
Anyway, onto my crafty make, this is some ribbon my mum gave me whilst clearing out some stuff she had when i went to visit her last week and i was messing with it in my hands whilst watching tv and had an idea, and look what i made, its beautiful!!!! She wont believe what that bit of wired ribbon and silver glitter spray turned into and i will do a video of how i make these tomorrow as Ian bought me a Flip HD for Christmas so i have a new cam to record on!!! So here are some pics to put you on till the video, which i will link to here and Facebook, Hope you're having a great Christmas my friends, and lets catch up soon eh? Lots of Love Vick xxxxx

A Christmas Greeting

2011-12-24T20:05:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,
No card i'm afraid, infact, they have been very thin on the ground, as i still have no craft studio and only a couple of things in my bedroom with me, however, the sentiment can come from my heart, to each and everyone of you to have a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful Christmas 2011, and a Prosperous, Crafty, and Happy, Safe 2012, and i will see you here in blogland, and hopefully i'll have a studio that i can comfortably craft in and do more videos and more posts on here to (hopefully) inspire someone!!
Lots of Love, hugs, love&light to all my followers and passerby's
V xxxxxxxx

My Birthday offering!! Making 3Dimensional flowers from petals

2011-12-14T22:00:00.000Z

Hey Guys,
Its my new video for you, how to make 3dimensional, from flat petals! Its just a quick 'how to' video ! and its my birthday today (14th Dec) so i thought i would offer something to watch, hope you're all ok!
Hugs, and thanks, Vick xxxxx

Paint - a - poppy!!

2011-12-12T03:32:00.000Z

Hi Guys and Gals,

Today i have filmed a new video showing you how to paint with acrylics, a poppy, onto a drinks coaster. Im hoping the video is informative and gives you clear instructions from the start onwards, also that you can see everything that is going on! I would really like to have your feedback, thanks guys, oh and this is the first video i have edited and added text and special effects, nothing massive but a new toy for me to play with, lol...........see what you think ...........

Please share if you can, thanks in advance, and thanks for watching it really means a lot to me! xxxx

A Birthday Card!!

2011-12-09T23:59:00.001Z

Well, ive finally managed to make a card, still not in my studio i hasten to answer, still on my bed, anyway, this card is for my niece Lacey ( her birthday's on the 10th) and i hope she likes it! I also have designed a bracelet for her but its not finished yet, however, i have made some trinkets for it with lettering and glossy accents, it looks really good, will finish it tomorrow! So here it is

And a pic of the bracelet trinkets i made, hope you like it thanks guys, Hugs Vick xxxx

Ingredients for the card

The Stamp is from Mo Manning named "Baby Fairy Flora in the Spring"
Papers from Papermania "Rose Garden"
Coloured in with promarkers, sorry didnt make a list of colours used this time.
Flowers from WOC
Glossy Accents and Stickles.

The glueless paper gift box !!

2011-12-04T10:35:00.001Z

Video No.2 is here guys in my 'How To' range, this time the tuition is on how to make a gift box from paper or card, of your choice, without the need for sticky tapes or glues, perfect for this time of year when you need something to put a small present in, and this is where i show you how, and how easy peasy lemon squeezy it is, so without further ado i will post, said video here and you can watch it here or within YouTube, by clicking on the YouTube logo on the video, Hope this helps someone and you enjoy the video,
Hugs and Sunday Blessings, Vick xxxxx

Please share with your crafty friends, and thankyou in advance! xx

My very 1st Crafting Video

2011-12-01T13:51:00.001Z

Hey guys,

Well it was early morning in my bed and i couldnt sleep and i have been promising to do my first video like, forever!! so i finally plucked up courage to do it! It worked out ok and Part.1 has uploaded and Pt.2 is on its way but if i put the link on here to Part.1 you'll be able to pick Pt.2 up within Youtube on my channel 'vixcrafts'.........i dont have any editing suites etc but luckily i only made one mistake when i called glue acrylic so there you go..........How To:- The Crackle Effect
thanks guys and please share the vids with your crafting buddies, lotsa love, Vick xxxxx
PS hope this works ok and its embedded itself onto my blog havent got a clue what im doing but it doesnt take me long to find out..........here goes.............

Yah..........got it.........enjoy!

Acrylic bubbles/pebbles

2011-10-11T23:27:00.000+01:00

In recent months, i have noticed some embellies on my fellow crafters gorgeous creations and asked what they were.................i remember buying something similar in glass, that i used in my flower vases and glass candle holders beneath the candle. However, knowing glass is probably too heavy for a normal everyday card, and probably only good for a 3D project, i tried to source acrylic pebbles instead, to no avail.........you see most of the talented ladies live in America and i couldn't find anywhere here that sold anything similar until last week when i had a brainwave, i saw the Epiphany Crafts button maker but didnt wanna shell out for something i only wanted to use for this purpose. To cut a long story short, the bubbles arrived yesterday (mon) and today i tried them and even though i havent got a hole punch 14mm either (thats the bubble size) found them so easy to cut out around them after sticking down to my chosen piece of material that i'm not going to buy the appropriate punch either, and to be perfectly honest it would take longer to put my chosen pic, bubble and close everything up and then punch it out of the machine than it did to cut it out with some sharp scissors which only took about 12seconds!!!!! So, here is my finished pebble/bubble with a little Robin Red Breast to adorn a christmas card at some stage, you know me, Christmas cards late Christmas Eve!!! LOL............anyway anyone over here in the U.K can pick those bubbles up now from stockists that stock the Epiphany products, there are other shapes in them and sizes! I paid £4.80 for 35 bubbles.
If you can get them cheaper or the proper acrylic ones, please let me know, so for now im helping others out by sourcing something for over here that will do as good a job for now! I hope i've helped at least one person
Happy Crafting, Hugs, Vick xxx

Latest Goodies

2011-10-02T02:52:00.000+01:00

In this post is another 'no card' i'm afraid as lately i have been suffering bad with my disabilities, more than usual, and also having bad allergies, sinus pressure headaches, i haven't really been upto crafting, however, i have finally got something i've been after for a while and can't believe that i've found a store over here that stocks this and still had some left, when the postman came yesterday i was squealing like a naughty school girl when opening the package, i felt like Charlie and the Golden Ticket!! LOL...I'm talking about the elegant and sophisticated papers and embellies from Melissa Frances, Oh wow, how in awe i am of this woman's designer papers!! They are so .......well........me! I love Shabby Chic, Vintage, floral victoriana prints and these are no exception, i cannot wait to see what i make with them, so for now until i am able i will leave you a pic of my new goodies and hope i can play with them soon!!
Toodles for now, Vick xxxx

Happy Anniversary!!!

2011-08-27T01:42:00.000+01:00

There is no card in this post but a joyous message, it is mine and my hubby's (john) Wedding Anniversary today (27th August) 7 years to the day that we said "I Do" and it was the most happiest day of my life, i cannot try to explain how this man has changed my life for the better and gave me back my self-esteem and confidence...........he's made me feel good about myself when i had no love for myself for over 17 years as it was knocked out of me!! He's showed me what a real marriage should be like and showed me true compassion and love, of a man for his wife. I will never be able to repay this man for what he has done for me, and he would not want or feel the need for recompense, so i would just want him to know that he is my angel here on earth and i will cherish him forever, with all of my heart.......x

Leaving!!

2011-08-06T10:07:00.000+01:00

Hi Crafters,

I have recently come to the decision to leave the Sheena Douglass Design Team, i now, no longer belong to any DT's !! I do hope though that this will not stop my followers and other crafters visiting my blog, and chatting to me on FB as i have made, over the years, some very good friends, my being on a DT, or lack thereof, hopefully should not figure in these relationships. As the crafty fusioneers on FB was my baby, i will continue to participate and run that as i love the progress members have made in their painting endeavours and they have made some great friends, helped others with hints & tips and in general have come on a lot as part of this great group, so i will continue to be part of that!! Nothing really has changed apart from me not being on the DT, but i thought i would post about it so that people were aware, thanks for everyone that followed the work i did and i will continue to paint and create as i have done all my life, thankyou friends and keep coming back!!
Hugs, Vick x

Look out for the Douglass!!!

2011-08-05T08:05:00.000+01:00

Hi Folks,

For all those crafty fusioneers, future fusioneers and rubber stampers, Sheena Douglass is coming to our screens next Friday on Create & Craft with a new POW Christmas 'fusion' inspired stamp sets, make sure you check back here or at Sheena's site HERE for correct times for the shows, and any masterpieces made by my fellow DT members!
Have a nice day folks and stay safe!.....Vick x

I WON SOME CANDY!!!

2011-08-02T16:44:00.000+01:00

And how sweet was that?? WOW............thanks to Jacque from www.jacquesmagnolias.blogspot.com i won her candy of a Deluxe Scor-Pal set, oh wow im so excited to have won something and to have something i don't actually own already, and i just know i'm gonna love using it and its one of Jacque's favourite crafty things to work with and if its good enough for her its defo good enough for me!! Thanks Jac xxx Vick

VINTAGE HANDMADE FLOWERS

2011-07-08T06:22:00.001+01:00

Hey there girls and boys, today (Friday) i wanted to say hello and show you something i worked on with only the use of my left hand, anyhow, i got delivered last week some sets of spellbinders (my newest buddies) and havent really been well enough to play with them but last night or should i say a couple of hours ago (havent been to bed yet because of the pain, but thats a different story) anyhoo i played with the 'peony' spellbinders nestability dies and this is what i achieved, first time playing with them!!! And i kinda like the result, i was going for vintage and i think thats what i got!

The first pic is of the paper/card stock I used without any treatment, and the second & third pics are of the finished flower! So, here goes and i hope you like

From this above, to this below

and here is a close up too!!

Ingredients & method for this flower

I firstly cut and embossed all the dies that come in the 'peony' set, you don't have to but cause it was my first one i thought i would see how large it comes out and what it looks like, it is around 3" in diameter when finished like this! I then distressed around the edges of the flower layers with Vintage Photo DI, then i squashed and screwed up the layers in my hand! then unfolding them backout carefully without ripping them i sprayed them all with Crafters Companion 'gold' glitter spray, i love all those spray glitters! i then added a gorgeous extra large 'chocolate' pearl brad from Bunny Zoe Crafts and voila, your vintagey peony ready to go on the creation of your choice!
Hugs & Blessings, Vick xxxxx

MY FELLOW DT MEMBERS

2011-06-29T08:34:00.001+01:00

Hi Guys,

Just incase you can't find them or have them, here are my fellow DT members on Sheena Douglass' design team, blogs and of course including me!! These will all have at some time or the other, sneaky peeks of their samples up and coming shows and launch info and also product info nearer the time! So, keep checking back here and at all the other blogs for inspiration and information every so often!
Thanks friends, hugs and blessings, Vick xx

SHEENA DOUGLASS @ www.sheena.tv
VICKY McCLEAN (ME) @ www.the-artful-codger.blogspot.com
GILL McCALL @ www.creationsbygillm.blogspot.com
LINDA HILL @ www.lindasrainbowcraftingcabin.blogspot.com
LISA MELLOR @ www.the-craft-garden.blogspot.com
JACQUI DENNIS @ www.jacqui47.blogspot.com (cats whiskers)
KATIE BRETT @ www.chantillyrosecrafts.blogspot.com
LINDA R @ www.twisted-witch.blogspot.com
DEBRA FARRELL @ www.debrafarrell.co.uk (magic creations)

So, there you go! plenty to look at, have fun, V xx

FUSION HEADS UP & I WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET..............

2011-06-29T07:55:00.000+01:00

My New BF's,

OMGoodness!!!! these are absolutely stunning, and thanks to one of my FB friends, who shall remain named, lol......Sheenagh Hulin, i ended up buying a new stash of Spellbinders dies, only because she was using those particular ones to no end and i was a jealous puppy, who just had to start building my die collection and why not start here? i thought, lol......i have a couple of sets but nothing like this, mine are some labels and some oval scallops and although i love them to bits, these have become my new best buddies, Oh how fickle us crafters really are?!........LOL anyway, i had them finally delivered yesterday afternoon and will use my left hand to turn my cuttlebug handle as i am not letting my disabilities get in the way of fun........i cannot wait to try out these little beauties and what's a better way? as when you've samples to design and make for a crafty friend, the lovely Sheena Douglass..........this is a NEWSFLASH!!!!!!!......... she has some gorgeous 'Christmas Inspired' fusion stamps coming out very very soon, and i mean soon, and i am doing some samples so watch this space, as there will be sneaky peeks galore starting up backend of next week all over mine and my fellow DT members blogs, info of those blogs in the next post, so please come back and check me out, don't miss out though as these stamps are as usual, stunning, easy to use and well.......special.....that Sheena Douglass does me head in.......... all of that talent, i really think she is selfish as she won't share any of it with me, hehehehehehe....gotta love her!! anyways, here is a pic of my new BF's and don't forget, sneaky peek time is around the corner guys, hugs and blessings, Vick xxxxx

IGNORANCE IS BLISS BRACELET

2011-06-26T07:13:00.000+01:00

Hey there Crafters,

Why the title? Well, this past 3 weeks i have been suffering soooo badly with Rheumatoid Arthritis in my right shoulder, arm and hand..............it would have to be the right side wouldn't it??? flaming typical..........I'm not gonna dwell on the pain here as no words can describe it, however, the pain is so intense i have hardly slept in this last couple of weeks, i don't know where to put meself! and the whole limb is acting as a fractured limb would do, swelling wise, & painwise. I cannot type (hence hardly any posts, left index finger coming in handy here!!! LOL) i cannot craft (stamping in the main) write, not nothing.........anyway, onto my project.........
I was in agonising pain yesterday and needed to avoid focussing on the pain so sat up on the edge of my bed, and in front of me i set my bed table up with various beads, and findings, i couldn't hold anything in my right hand other than a piece of memory wire, so i made my very first memory wire bracelet and only my 2nd jewellery piece ever, as i am a rubber stamper at heart but like the idea that i can make something to match an outfit, at short notice and wear my project too!!! So, here it is, im happy with it and can see myself wearing it a lot, in its gunmetal & pale grey silvers!! bear in mind folks that this is all new to me and was also done with a pretty useless right hand with hardly any grip and a left hand that doesnt know it's bailing me out at the mo! although this is where i draw the line (threading on beads etc) i've tried but my writing in this hand, and it looks like a 3 year olds!!! LOL.....so without further ado i will add my pics and love you & leave you with.........."Have a Happy Safe Sunday!" hugs xxxx

MY 1ST SUNFLOWERS&LEAVES

2011-06-19T14:32:00.000+01:00

Hi Crafters Everywhere,

I want to take this opportunity to say Hi and hope you are having a good Sunday!! In this post i am showing you my very first attempt at handpainting Sunflowers & Leaves, i was so proud of them, i cannot do leaves normally but these were great to paint and i love the way my sunflowers came out too with a lot of texture, you just wanna touch them! Anyhoo, i am going to post my pics here of them, i hope you like them!

For your own info, the main pic shows me blending in some Tim Hotz distress inks, i love these and have been using them since they came out, i have used Vintage Photo in the blending and right on the edge of the 300gsm watercolour card is Walnut Stain, these 2 are my all time favourite distress inkpads!
Thanks for taking time out to look! x

PHOTOS OF WOC CHARMS I PROMISED!!!

2011-06-19T14:20:00.000+01:00

Hi Crafters,
I just love these new charms that Wild Orchid Crafts have started to stock such good quality and value for money, below is a couple of pics on their own and own my handpainted candles!!

thanks for looking guys! go get yours now!!!

WOC NEW STASH!!!

2011-06-13T12:09:00.000+01:00

OOh, gotta tell yer, if you don't already know WOC HERE have added a few newbies to their range, including bakers twine which went in a couple of weeks back and i have some already, and loads of raffia in many colours that i just had to have!! infact what really happened was, i made an order out to WOC for some more flowers, lace and the 'new' sweetheart blossoms, to be honest there isn't now, anything they sell that i haven't got in copious amounts, however, after my order came last week they announced some new stash coming in, and i just had to have a shufty at it all last Thursday when it went on sale and guess what Mr Postman brought me this morning??? well i am telling you all this cause i want to post a pic later of the new charms and metalwork from WOC, i am so in love with this shop already but i think i am fast becoming a stalker after seeing this little lot Oh my Goodness, they are gorgeous, my only feat now is, how to use them as these would normally go in the 'get out and stroke, admire in different lights and put back' draw!!! so i will have to buy more when i calm down so i can use some and keep some, that's all there is to it, see you later................if you can't wait, check them out at WOC now!!! xx

HANDPAINTED HEART BOX LID

2011-06-06T08:05:00.000+01:00

Hey Crafters,

I hope this post finds you well and happy and hopefully you have got some free time to do some crafting, i believe it is school holidays at the mo, how about painting with the kids, i have come across a fantastic site, via a friend of mine on the Facebook group that i run under a Paint Fusion guise, namely 'Crafty Fusioneers', anyone can ask to join it is an open group!!The lady in question is called Margaret (thankyou again Margaret) and she pointed out to me a website called Crafty Crocodiles, if you wanna visit them, CLICK HERE. They sell anything and everything in wood and ceramic that you and your children can paint or decorate and be proud of, go on, get the kids crafting in a loving family bonding environment!!! they even sell eggcups and cups to decorate so the kiddies can do their own ceramics and then write their name on with special pens that don't need fixing in an oven!! I so wish there had been something like this when our boys were growing up! Oh and their deliveries are phenomenal, within 48hrs in most cases and some have been 24hrs!!!
Anyway, i digress, the following piece of work is half of a box i am making for my lovely mum, and it is the lid, I intend on finishing the actual box this evening as it only needs painting and a crackle effect added, anyway, i hope you like what i have done, have a lovely day and thanks for taking an interest!!!

Hugs Vick xxxx

MY 1ST HANDPAINTED CANDLE

2011-05-07T17:05:00.000+01:00

Hi Crafters,

I hope this post finds you all in fine fettle! I have hand painted my first candle with Poppies and have taken a few pics, i thought you might like to see!

Sorry about the bad light on the pics, its kinda dark here today with rainclouds! It is much better in the flesh
Thanks for looking xxxx Vick

blog candy last chance

2011-05-07T14:40:00.000+01:00

Make sure you pop over to the Ribbon Girl to enter the draw for this blog candy

Add your comment HERE

"LAST OF THE LAST"!!!

2011-05-05T10:59:00.000+01:00

Our very last hero of WW1 on this earth has just passed away, and i would like to say you will never be forgotten, and thankyou..............Claude Stanley Choules, reached the ripe old age of 110years old and has passed away in his nursing home in Perth, Western Australia..........Born in Pershore, Worcestershire, U.K.. Claude at the young age of only 18 fought for his country within the Royal Navy aboard HMS Revenge. Known to his friends as "Chuckles" Claude fought to protect our country and kept us safe. R.I.P Chuckles, you can now reunite with all your well missed friends.........bless you x

ANOTHER CARD? IM ON A ROLL!!!

2011-05-02T15:04:00.002+01:00

Hey there crafters,
Well this is a lot of cards for me to be making in such a short space of time, i don't normally make so many cards one after the other and jewellery made too!!?! well all i can say is enjoy it Vick whilst you can cause the old crafters block will soon kick in, it always does! Thats when i will do some fusion painting as its the only thing i do where i don't have to have my mojo! also, John bought me some soft oil paints last year and i must admit i havent picked them up yet, i want to teach myself oil painting florals, not one-stroke folk painting like fusion is, (as that is acrylics) but 'proper' oil painting, i used to paint landscapes in harder oils however, the long brush strokes made my weak wrists swell so i had to stop doing something i loved, so small strokes and florals it is, i must find the tutorial book John bought me to teach myself!
Anyway, enough waffle, here is my card and i am entering it into the following challenges
crafts4eternity.blogspot.com (Anything Goes)
ccmonthlychallenge.blogspot.com (Girl's Birthday Card)
pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com (Anything Goes)
cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com (Use something that starts with a 'C') so i have used 'Cherry Blossoms'

Hope you like it, thanks for looking and i would love it if you could leave a comment! Hugs Vick xxxxx
Oh 'Eck im losing my mind, i forgot to give you the ingredients of the card, sorry!

Ingredients used to make this card

Stamp - Sugar Nellie 'adorables' ' Verity Standing' i coloured her in using my Promarkers
DP - Blueberry Hill A4 papers from Papermania
Purple basecard made from 12x12 cardstock
5x5 mat from pearlescent white card from my stash from CCompanion
Frame from Marianne Designs Die
Baby Blue 1/2" satin ribbon, various blue 20mm roses, white hip rosebuds, 2tone blue 25mm rose, small brown flat gardenia, coffee coloured 25mm roses, ivory cherry blossoms, silver metal filigree corners, all from Wild Orchid Crafts HERE
8mm baby blue pearls from my stash

My very first Cha Cha Bracelet

2011-05-02T07:59:00.000+01:00

Hi Crafters,

This is my very first Cha Cha bracelet to match my 1st cha cha ring that i made last week, i am so pleased with it and hadn't got a clue how to make it, besides collecting photos of them from a google search, i dont know if its done right but i like it and i added some crosses to go with the ring! hope you like it, hugs vick xxxx

Adorable Grace!

2011-04-30T22:35:00.001+01:00

Hi There Crafters,

I just made this card last night just for something to do and thought i would post it on my blog, hope you like!

Ingredients used to make this card

Purple Card Base
Grace Standing stamp from Sugar Nellie 'Adorables'
I coloured her in with my Promarkers
Sentiment from my stash
Ribbon from my stash
Butterflies & Flowers from my stash
Branch Garden Die that i cut from silver mirri card from Marianne Designs 'Creatables'
3mm diamantees from my stash
Silver metallic Pearls i used for her buttons from Bunny Zoe Crafts
DP Paper from Prima 'Annalee'

Prayers and Thoughts

2011-04-28T19:33:00.000+01:00

I would just like to convey my thoughts and prayers for those in the U.S.A that have been affected by the recent tornados in the Southern regions and their families affected elsewhere. My prayers tonight will be for those poor souls who have lost their lives, their families whom have lost their loved ones forever and for the thousands injured, that they have a fast and safe recovery. May your God look after you all x

Pretty in Lilac

2011-04-28T15:44:00.001+01:00

Hey there, I made this card last night and thought i would enter it into the Stampavie & More challenge 139 of 'Pearls' HERE i hope you like my entry, Thanks for looking and if you have time, a comment would be lovely! Hugs, Vick xxxx

Ingredients used to make this card

Purple base card
Papers - Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen
Ribbons from my stash
Stamp coloured with Promarkers
Stickle (crystal) used on wings
Pink Pearls WOC
Lilac Hip Rosebuds WOC
4cm wide White Guipure Lace from WOC
Pearl pin made by me
Sprays of Pearls from WOC
Spellbinders Lacey Circles die cut from Marshmallow Hunkydory 350gsm silk board
Butterfly Charm from my stash
Ivy Leaves from WOC
Small white and lilac flower made by me from WOC petals
Large white flower made by me from petals at WOC
Irridescent gems from my stash
40mm Purple Hybrid Tea Roses WOC
Pearl Brad from my stash
35mm Trellis Rose in Lilac from WOC

WOC items used HERE

WOC & Hanglar/Stanglar/Magnolia Challenges

2011-04-26T09:06:00.000+01:00

Hey there guys on this cool Tuesday morning!! not as nice and warm&sunny as it has been but hey we can't have it our own way all the time! Today i bring you a card i made from my sickbed last night, i wanted to enter 2 challenges so followed their rules,
Wild Orchid Crafts (which is my favourite shop by the way) i have a love affair bordering on an obsession with, and this challenge had to be 'White & 2 other colours' so i went for white (obviously) and pink & lilac, and im kinda liking how it came out! and the
Just Magnolia & Hanglar Stanglar (both co. are my favourite character stamps) challenge was to follow a sketch provided by the very talented Dena @ DENAS STAMPING CORNER so i followed the sketch and although its covered up in the main, you can just about see an extra panel behind the doily, i just wanted to point that out as its hard to see and if you dont know its there i wouldn't be following the sketch exactly! here is the sketch

So next is my card for both the challenges, this is the first time i have done a double challenge, hark at me, pretending i know what i'm doing in blogland!!! LOL..........so without further ado here is my offering for WILD ORCHID CHALLENGE BLOG and JUST MAGNOLIA & HANGLAR STANGLAR

INGREDIENTS USED IN THE MAKING OF THIS CARD

Tilda was from the 'Fairytale' range and is called 'Midsummer Tilda'
The beautiful DP was a digi from Bearly Mine Designs in the 'Lacey Vintage Dreams' set
One of my now famous chocolate box bows was made with 1/4" satin ribbon from WOC in Orchid with a 15mm rose in lilac
All flowers are from WOC and include :- white cherry blossom, 2tone lilac cherry blossom, 25mm 2tone lilac tea rose, 2tone lilac calla lilies, lilac heather stem, assorted 15mm lilac roses, & white aster daisies.
Pale pink large irridescent butterflies were also from WOC
Doily from WOC
8mm pink pearls from my stash
Quicky Glue Pen
Deco Art Crystal Glamour Dust
Cuttlebug 7x5 Deb Devine Embossing Folder, used for the white panel on the right side behind the doily.
I used the following Promarkers

Hair - Buttercup, Tan, & Caramel
Skin - Satin & Blush
Dress - Orchid, Blossom & Rose Pink

Hope you like it! Hugs xxx

MY FIRST CHA CHA RING

2011-04-24T18:09:00.000+01:00

Hi All,

I do hope you're having a nice family Easter break, and those with kids i hope they aren't doing your head in already!!! lol....been there, got the Tshirt, old enough to have the house full of adults, although an adult child can be just as noisy ask my ears when my son Kris is in the same room!!! soft voice doesn't come into it......the word foghorn springs to mind moreso!! LOL.
Well, i thought i would have a change from the old papercrafting and painting & bought some lovely glass pearl beads from HERE and the set of beads i have used are the 'Cookies & Cream' glass pearl mixed set, these are some gorgeous beads, i just love this shop, and their service and delivery times are second to none, i cannot rant about them enough!!! So why not call on Lisa & Richard and see what they have in store for you now!!
So i thought even though ive never made jewellery before, i liked the look of cha cha bracelets & rings, so i am hoping i have done this correctly as there are only photos of them online! I have made this ring and will (if im well enough) make a matching bracelet tomorrow, however, i don't know if i made the ring properly but i like it and John my hubby says it looks good so that's all the recommendation i need, i added a silver cross (no not a pram LOL) to my ring and think it looks quite nice.........the bracelet may have crosses or roses or alternative charms, not sure yet until i start it, but here's a couple of pics of the ring, hope you like it!!!

PLEASE CAN SOMEONE HELP!!!

2011-04-12T22:48:00.000+01:00

I don't know if anyone can help me, however, i am in search of a place that sells the paper pads from Melissa Frances..............OMW they are adorable, why can't we have some designers over here that do small floral shabby chic/country cottage prints like Melissa's i so wish i knew more about graphic design i would make my own! I have loved these types of papers and fabrics since being a young girl, however, over here we don't seem to have embraced this, in the U.S they seem to be more British Country Cottage than us?? good on you America but can you get some over here please!
Thankyou in advance to anyone that can help me find somewhere that stocks it in the U.K!!! Vick

ADORABLE CARD

2011-04-09T09:35:00.004+01:00

I have made this card for the challenge on Wild Orchid Challenge Blog which is centred around a sketch by Bev Rochester, i hope people like it

Ingredients Used

Spellbinders Lacey Circle Die

Marianne Creatable Frames - frame & swirl set

Base Card and mat - Coredinations in Baby Pink

DP Polka Dots - Papermania - Summer Bloom 6x6 paper stack

All embellishments from my favourite shop of all time WILD ORCHID CRAFTS

Guipure white lace.

Burgundy Crystal Chandeliers

Flat Gardenias - small 2 tone champagne pink

Cherry Blossoms - Baby Pink

Calla Lilies in 2tone Baby Pink

Heather Stems in Rosy Pink Ribbon 1/2" satin ribbon on the spool

5mm Pearls in Baby Pink

Where is my head at, i soooo forgot to give you the ingredients for colouring, so sorry guys, if you want to recreate this colouring exactly, this is what you will need xx

Promarkers

Skin - Satin all over and i used Blush in the shadowed areas and to warm up areas

Hair - I decided to make this beauty blonde, so i used Vanilla all over & warmed it up in areas with Buttercup, and i used Tan to the shadowed areas and areas that i wanted a little darker colour especially around the roots!

Dress - I used Blossom all over and shaded with Rose Pink

Ribbon in Hair - I used Blossom, Rose Pink, and for the polka dots, Canary

Around the image and die

I used Tim Holtz Distress Inkpads to add colour to the diecut whilst it was still in the die, in Spun Sugar, and used Victorian Velvet for shading around the main image

I hope i have made it a little easier now for you to be able to recreate the colouring in this card, i also want to say that if you havent got some of the darker colours for shading, use the lighter colour and go over the areas again where you want shade, multi layers will add a shaded effect. A pen i cannot live without in these sets is Cool Grey 1, as that can be used to darken areas too!

and again, sorry for forgetting to list the colours xx vick

TARTAN BLOG HOP

2011-04-06T06:58:00.001+01:00

Hi Guys,
Well here it is the day has arrived where i can post about my participation in my friend's first hosted bloghop and it is themed as Tartan Day, so, i had to do something that featured tartan, i'm not hot on the subject however, i thought i can't go wrong if i feature something 'scottish' and with some 'tartan' so i hope you like my idea for a project.....................
If you found me from Martha's blog you are hopping in the right direction, if you need to start at the beginning, you should hop over to my friend Gill's blog who is our very humble host HERE and if you wish to know what Tartan Day is all about, visit here for a read http://www.tartandayscotland.com/tartan-day/tartan-day.asp
So here is my offering for the hop, and i hope you all join us in the fun and also a comment, if you have time would be nice, and if you're really feeling generous and you aren't already, i would love you to become a follower of my blog as i also have many other exciting things coming up!!
Also in this blog hop some of the participants will have a secret letter to show you, not all have this though, however, my dear friend Gill has entrusted me with a letter!! so once you have collected all the letters there is to be had, you'll need to unscramble the letters to spell out a word associated with 'Scotland' when you have this word, enter your participation on Mr Linky on Gill's blog HERE but do not leave the word, keep it to yourself, and Gill will pick a winner from the entrants and email the winner asking for the winning word! get the word? win the prize! its as simple as that!!! so get hopping and Good Luck Guys !!!! if you are going in the right direction, you need to go from here to Anita's blog HERE..........so without further ado, here is my secret letter ..................................S.........................................................................................................

DEDICATED TO MY MUM

2011-04-04T08:04:00.000+01:00

I have to write this post today as i have just visited my darling mummy, who lives over a 100miles from me (my doing, long story!) yesterday on Mothering Sunday! and totally surprised her as she didn't know we was coming over, and even though i had been in agony and bedbound all week i just couldn't let her down again! even though she never knew i had the visit planned, in my mind, i couldn't let her down.........not again, so i dragged my carcass up to my craft room Saturday night and made a card that i was proud of to give to the most important woman in my life, my mum! so here's to mum's everywhere.............you rock!!!!!! xxxxxxx

Love you darling xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPOSITION

2011-03-26T07:31:00.002Z

Hey guys, i thought i would post my next project in its 'before' stage. I made my background in the usual way and then used the stamps to map out my composition, this is a very important part of any project, especially with this type of project as it provides depth in your painting, making it look more realistic and in turn lovely to look at.
I used the open poppy stamp twice in this composition, and only turned the stamp slightly, which made the flower look like a different stamp altogether! I then used the other stamp that shows the outside/underside of the poppy, i also stamped this at different angles to add interest and depth to the painting. Adding leaves around the lower part of the painting also adds depth and a different texture and colour when painted. I added the in flight butterfly from the other stamp sheet that has buttterflies and wild roses on............I have made it look like the butterfly is smelling the poppy.........when you do this type of project there is no need for worrying about masking, which is what you would normally have to do in a picture to add depth and perception, as the acrylic paints easily blend and/or paint over one another when applied carefully by the artist. So before starting the painter must make sure they know which images they want in the foreground and in the background, so say, for instance, i want the butterfly smelling the poppy, i would paint the butterfly over the poppy, if i wanted the poppy in front and the butterfly just flying by, i would paint the poppy on top of the butterfly..............so as an artist, you can now begin your painting by painting your background images first and then your foreground images, so in essence you are painting back to front, hope that makes sense...............next time you see a post it will be the finished article, and i hope this article has helped even one person to realise the importance of composition in a project
Thanks Guys, Vick xxxxx

MY DT CARD

2011-03-25T05:08:00.001Z

Hi this is my DT card for Creationsbygillm, HERE why not have a go and see if you can win! The theme is animals/pets, so therefore i have made a card with the help of some papers and card from my Hunkydory stash, added also a stamp that i had coloured in with promarkers sometime ago, so please dont ask my what its called cause i havent got a clue, lol.............i added Ranger's Glossy Accents to the dogs bath bubbles, and Rangers stickles glitter....the tan coloured bow is one of my favorite things at the moment, vintage seam binding, this one is known as Lite Mink which i bought quite a bit of at it's my favourite seam binding colour, and is available at my favourite shop of all time, Wild Orchid Crafts, HERE thanks for stopping by and dont forget to bob over to Gill's blog, she also has candy for 300 followers so you could enter that too whilst you're there..............and a RAK club being set up, if you're interested in that, talk to Gill.........Good Luck everyone, Hugs Vick xx

DAISIES AND HEART BOXES

2011-03-25T04:23:00.001Z

Hi There everyone,

I thought i would have a change of colour today in my text! as Spring seems to finally be here, we've had 3 warm sunny, blue sky days, isnt it lovely? Ok so for today i have 3 pics to show you. A few weeks ago i ordered some boxes to alter from Crafters Companion, and due to a technical fault, my boxes weren't sent, i finally received them today (Thursday).............so i started straightaway distressing the top of one of my heart boxes (medium one) infact i will tell you i bought, 1 large heart box, which i am posting a pic of as its extraordinary! 3 medium heart boxes, 2 medium round boxes, all for £16, not bad eh?
Ok these pics are of my medium heart box lid that i have crackled and distressed ready for me to paint on and if i must say so myself it turned out pretty good and i'm quiet happy with it, just hope when i get round to the handpainting i dont mess it up!..............then i have added a pic of the largest heart box, beware if you don't want a very deep large heart box, dont go for the large one, go for the medium one as its more realistic, especially if you are buying choccies or smellies for the inside as a gift, it'll cost you a bomb in chocolates, hahahaha.....then again i wouldnt be moaning if i were the recipient! And last but not least, the picture of my first daisies, as i have said on my FB profile, im not very happy with these, but it would be unfair for me to post just the nicest ones i made and only show them whilst not showing the ones that didn't work out too well, as we are all learning, including me! but you'll have to wait for the other flowers besides daisies, poppies and sweetpeas as i haven't been able to master roses, which are what i want in my kitchen, ok, well i shall be off, and if you're still reading this, and are still with me, well done, you have great staying power, lol, and thankyou, hugs, vick xxxx

PRETTY BUTTERFLY

2011-03-21T22:22:00.001Z

Hi Guys.
I hope anyone reading this can forgive me that i only am posting this here and not going anywhere else online including my faithful friends on FB, i love you guys but have a massive headache and am going to bed, and for those that know me, they would be saying to me "are you feeling alright"? lol.........as i am never asleep before at least 3am lol......anyway, earlier today, well 5.30am to be apporximate i made this beautiful butterfly that i am now quite proud of that i have finished her, yes, i've decided, she is a girl.........(i know, i've lost it.......) anyway, she is eventually going on a card but i was so excited with her now she's finished that i wanted to add her to my blog and then eventually send to our fellow queen of fusioneers, Sheena! to add to her collection of samples along with the other things i have made this past two days, the poppies and sweetpeas, i have made some daisies but not too sure about them, so i will tweak them tomorrow and hopefully add them to a card and send them on too..........i am awaiting some boxes too, yippee, ive turned into a fusioneer!!! Oh and by the way, there is now a group on FB for all fusioneers, a place to share their pics, tips, techniques, ideas, and to make fellow fusioneer friends and help others out too, see you there! its called 'Crafty Fusioneers' if you cannot find it , find me and i will add you, thanks guys, hope you like my butterfly and catch you all soon
Love and Light, Vick xxxx

BEAUTIFUL POPPIES

2011-03-21T05:45:00.000Z

Oh i just love poppies, my favourite wildflower, how can something so gorgeous, bright & cheery grow without any aide from humans?.........its another wonder of the world and im happy for it, they just make you smile don't they? well normally they do, i hope this painting has the same effect, lol, if it doesnt, im done for!!! LOL
Hope you like guys
Love & Light, Vick xxxxx

MY FIRST PAINT FUSION

2011-03-21T01:47:00.000Z

Hi Guys,

Due to rheumatoid arthritis i have taken a bit longer than others to master (or nearly master) the techniques of Paint Fusion ( the fusing of Sheena Douglass' stamps and Pebeo Deco Paints) I have been overwhelmed with the feeling that i couldn't do it, then last night i couldnt sleep and decided to try some sweetpeas and poppies, i am going to post the sweetpeas now and the poppies tomorrow, so for now the sweetpeas, hope you like them!
love & light
Vick xxx

MY DT CARD -SPRING!!

2011-03-12T08:25:00.002Z

Hey Guys,
It's challenge time over on http://www.creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/ again! so if you would like to have a go pop over there and take part, its all fun and keeps us out of mischief, lol............the theme this time is 'SPRING' don't we all need some of that eh?? and there is also a sketch to follow, devised by our guru leader Gill............so pop over, say hi and leave your creation linked into the blog.............below is my DT creation this time, hope you like it! I will be sparing a thought for those hit by the earthquake and following tsunami in Japan
Have fun and hope you all have a safe and happy weekend!
I am entering this card in the WOC challenge

I started this creation with a gold 'rose' embossed card blank from my stash, and added a mat of DP from Papermania, 'Rose Garden' this set also provided the sentiment. I then added my Magnolia image with her spring lamb and i coloured it in with promarkers, sorry guys didn't right down the shades! silly moo i am.......

I cut an oval in my cricut from linen effect white card from my stash, and i stamped an image across the oval which is a peg stamp 'leaf ' design from DoCrafts, V&A Hanoverian Mini Trellis 6pce Stamp Set in a Brilliance Inkpad 'Pearlescent Olive'.........i then added my Magnolia image on top....going back to the base i added (and i dont know how she got me to use it.......) but i used some of my much loved white cotton lace (4cm wide) ..... from my favourite shop of all time HERE. The amount of flowers, ribbon, seam binding and embellies i have from there is criminal, lol.... I've also added some baby pink 1/2" satin ribbon & beautiful roses from the same shop, which are from their 'Floral Foundations' (15mm) range in Purple/Lilac shades. The card was then finished off (observing the sketch) with 4 irridescent diamantes from my private and very much treasured stash......................................................................................................................

SWEET STUFF

2011-03-03T09:41:00.000Z

Hey Guys, don't know if any of you know, but on my friend Gill's blog at the mo, she has some great candy up for grabs, all she's gotta do is reach 200 followers to send it to one lucky winner, could it be you? it won't be if you don't go and join her for a chance to win, just a heads up, the sweet stuff is at http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/ Good Luck guys!!!
Vick x

MY DT CARD

2011-03-03T09:17:00.000Z

As i promised, here is my DT card for the challenge on my friend Gill's blog http://www.creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/ on the subject of Mardi Gras, and featuring the colours green, purple and gold...........I must admit that this subject had me stumped as i wasn't sure on the subject or the mix of colours and when i finished my card i wasn't very happy with it, but Gill was, and it stands as inspiration for crafters taking part in the challenges, and thats the main thing, i promise i will try and do better for the next challenge. They are run every fortnight so why not pop over and join in the fun!
Hope you're all well, thanks for stopping by, Vick xxx

I started with a gold base A5 card and added a layer of gold patterned vellum for a rich look. I then stamped and embossed in the colours green and purple from a stamp in my stash! of a mardi gras mask (that was handy wasn't it? phew) and i looked through my stash for sparkly green purple and gold sequins gems ribbons, etc i also added some ivory feathers .........a simple card really that anyone could do, even beginners! xx

PAINT FUSION!!!!!!

2011-02-25T07:16:00.000Z

Don't forget guys, in the U.K our favourite craft channel Create & Craft and for outside the U.K get on your pc's and watch createandcraft.tv at 12noon GMT & 3pm GMT for Sheena Douglass' new Paint Fusion range of gorgeous nature inspired stamps, paints, brushes and the long awaited debut DVD!!! You can't miss it guys its phenomenal.....xx see you there

SHEENA'S PAINT FUSION

2011-02-21T07:17:00.000Z

Hi Sheena Douglass followers,
If you love everything sheenaesque and love paints and colouring techniques, you've just gotta watch C&C at 12noon this coming Friday as Sheena Douglass is launching her new technique and craft, she calls "Paint Fusion", i just know anyone who loves stamping and getting their fingers inky and messy will just love this new concept and will get into it with the zest and enthausiasm, i find myself with, its all very exciting.........and better still, Sheena has made her very first DVD to accompany this new concept to talk you through it and better still there are demos galore to watch as many times as you want, without annoying presenters getting in the way, and long pauses to go through stock updates etc, the only problem you'll have is pausing it to make a brew its that enthralling!!! so watch out for all this glorious stamping and painting loveliness that is........."Paint Fusion"............
watch this space as you'll see me come to grips with "Paint Fusion"

I WON CANDY!!!

2011-02-21T07:05:00.001Z

Whoo hoo!!! I cannot believe it but i won some blog candy at beckiedreyer.blogspot.com and i'm now looking forward to getting it in the post which comprised of some clear stamps and cardstock! Hopefully i can make something nice, so i can show you when i've gotten over the shock!
Vick x

Blog candy!!!

2011-02-15T07:10:00.000Z

Hiya Guys,

I Just thought i would post a heads up for you all to go to Creationsbygillm.blogspot.com, as Gill, my friend, is giving away another great candy gift as soon as she hits 150 followers of her blog, so if you don't follow her, maybe you could pop across and enter by following her, leaving her your comment and your own link and put her candy in your sidebar and post about it, you've gotta be in it to win it!!! good luck guys!
vick xxx

MY GUEST DT CARD

2011-01-16T02:00:00.000Z

Hi there,
I Just thought i would remind you all of the Guest Design Team appointment i have taken up for the whole of January (that's 4 challenges) for the lovely Emma Wood of CES Challenge Blog and below is my card for the challenge theme of 'No Designer Paper'...........ooh scratch my head time.....oh Dear why did you pick this Emma? lol........so i thought, well i can use some cd papers, i hope, so on this card i used one of my printed out papers from one of Joanna Sheen's cds, and stamp, embossed and painted the 'Harlequin Rose' set of stamps from Glenda Waterworth and sentiment, that i've had for a couple of years now and have been neglected, i have many Glenda Waterworth stamps and cds that have been neglected so i thought i would bring them out of the darkness and into the light!! and in my favourite colours, i added a touch of my favourite embellishment, besides flowers, LACE in Lilac!!! its so yummy.........this is an 8x8 card, hope you like it, if you've got some time spare and fancy a look, why not pop over to the challenge and have a go, click here >>>> CHALLENGE HERE thanks for looking guys, Vick xxxx

MY CLARITY SAMPLES

2011-01-14T23:37:00.000Z

Hi Guys, I only got a chance to post my plaque/hanging that i made for Barbara as part of my samples for her on last week's show so here is the other cards i made, and most were featured, hope you like them

Just the Two Of Us!!

2011-01-14T18:27:00.004Z

Just the title makes me wanna burst into song, so you can imagine what i was like whilst stamping this, i had Will Smith going around my head into the wee small hours of the night, lol!!! so without further ado here is another card i made with Sheena's new stamps that are being launched tomorrow, aww......summery days are few and far between so when you get some.......enjoy them and remember your childhood days on the beach with your boiled egg sandwiches, lol...............ahh memories............I used Ultra Fine FLOWERSOFT in colours Toffee and Sand for the sand on my design, i used two colours for shading. I coloured the boy and girl with Aquamarkers and Distress Inks, i luckily had picked up some tiny shells from the beach at Blackpool about 4 years ago, lol!! and knew they would come in useful at some stage, i was right!!.........i needed them, aren't all crafters like this, or is it just me? LOL...........i also had some beads shaped like seahorses and starfish, so they made great embellies too, all the stamping was carried out on heavy weight watercolour card from HERE and that was matted onto cream pearl card that was cut with my cricut into a scalloped square, and then onto a sandy beach printed paper, the sentiment is also on the same stamp sheet!!

Sneaky Peek!!

2011-01-13T22:19:00.000Z

Hey guys.............hope you like this next card that i made using Sheena's new set of stamps that come in three sheets and are being launched on Sat15th @ 12&3pm, hope you like my interpretation of just one of the stamps! thanks xx

DANDELION CLOCK

2011-01-12T11:07:00.000Z

Hi there crafters! Well its nearly that time again, the one where Mrs D turns up on your screen and does her magic with a paintbrush? a piece of cut n dry? distress inkpad? and new stamps!!!! whatever she brings, or shows us, i know, like me you will be glued to the tv, i did give you the times in an earlier post but i will do again..............Sheena is on C&C this Saturday 15th Jan at 12noon and 3pm............this is one of my creations...........I do hope you like it, thanks for stopping by xxxx vick

CLARITY SAMPLES

2011-01-10T06:18:00.001Z

Hi there,
I thought i would post the cards that i recently designed as a designer, for Barbara Gray, so this is January's stash from her show on C&C 9th January. This is a present i made for Barbara to hang in her kitchen in her new home, but it also was a sample bearing the stamp of a rose that Barbara had designed, i made it from bare chipboard and crackled and distressed the base of it to make it look more vintage.... so here goes, hope you like it, i made it in my favourite decor........'Shabby Chic'.............thankyou for looking, oh and by the way, watch out for a video workshop that i am filming this coming week to show how to make one of these plaque hangings from start to finish, it will be my first ever video workshop! thanx guys xx

MRS.D IS ON HER WAY!!!

2011-01-07T04:24:00.002Z

Hey Guys, a heads up here, just because im kind like that, lol, Sheena is back on our screens on the 15th January, for two 1hr shows at 12noon & 3pm and she has a DVD, Yes you read right, the girl has finally done a DVD, so if you love stamping & distressing and everything else Sheena does with her crafty stash, you'd better get in the queue for one of these DVD beauties as they are set to go fast, fast, fast!!!! Oh and did i mention she's bringing stamps too!! I will be featuring my sneaky peeks sometime next week running upto the shows so keep checking my blog for previews!!!See Ya Later Guys xxxx

Guest DT

2011-01-07T04:17:00.000Z

Hi All,
I am delighted to be featuring for the whole of January, thats 4 challenges on the CES Challenge Blog, as their Guest Designer.......if you haven't heard of them, take a look and say hi to Emma, let her know who sent yer! and have a go at the challenges, and if you know the blog and the gal, you know what to do already, our first challenge starts this Saturday, so come over and take a look at what myself and the rest of the DT have as inspiration for you, Thanks Guys xx vick

CLARITY AWAITS US ON SUNDAY!!!

2011-01-07T04:13:00.000Z

Hey Guys,
Here's a heads up that the 'brayer queen' is set to blast onto our 2011 New Year screens at the hours of 10am and 11am and 2pm YES!!!!!! 3 whole hours of the lovely Barbara Gray this Sunday 9th January, i have some designs i will want to share with you that i have done for the show and i will be posting these on Sunday so keep your eyes open for that too........great things are acoming!!! stay glued to your screens and this blog if you are a Happy Stamper!!!
Hugs Vick xxxx

Good things coming up!!!!

2010-12-30T20:06:00.002Z

Hiya Stampers&Crafters alike, i truly hope you had a good Christmas! and if not, we've got a great New Year to look forward to, as crafters we have exciting things coming out every year, and this year is no different...........newer, bigger die-cutting machines, embossers, new stamps, nifty colouring pens, finer embossing powders, more dies, more gorgeous paper flowers, pearls and bling, i mean c'mon, as crafters, our lives are pretty great aren't they?
What hobby do you know of that changes everytime you sit to do something, everytime you turn on the craft tv channel of your choice you see something new! and everytime you check out your friends or favourite expert's blogs and websites they have something more exciting to show and/or sell you? or a new exciting technique to enthuse over and then in turn, master and show your fellow crafting buddies, via your blog or youtube channel!!! I love crafting, even when i'm not in the mood to sit and craft or well enough, there's always something on the box or on my pc to do with crafting, i may not make a card in a week or so but somehow i've done something relating to craft, i may have sewn something in my bed (as i am disabled so may spend days in bed at a time) or drawn something, or read a crafty book? I don't know about you but i take part in and have done, many different crafts, therefore cannot call myself a cardmaker or a rubber stamper, i absolutely love, love, love to paint in oils, acrylics, watercolouring, i do candle making, cross stitching, drawing, embroidery (which is where i started at about 6yrs old) cardmaking, stamping, jewellery making (one of my newest crafts) parching, etc etc..............i simply love creating things.........my aim for this New Year is to parch more (i said this last year, LOL) to make and learn more about making my own jewellery, as i think that is one of the greatest things about crafting, you can make things for you to wear and use in your home, it fascinates me that i can make things that are totally unique to me and my home and no-one can have one like it, maybe a bracelet, or a cushion cover, or set of beauitiful curtains for my living room? Why not make your new year's resolution this year about crafts you wanna do new, or get more involved in and/or learn further things about crafts you already do!!! I don't know about you but i can sit in my craft studio playing for ages and not actually finish a project, i've just been playing and experimenting, sometimes the experimenting's a great find, sometimes, a great mess, LOL!!! Anyway, like i said, make a point of learning more about a current craft, or try something new to welcome in the New Year!
I am currently working on new stamp sets from Barbara Gray and Sheena Douglass, all due out within the first 2wks of January. Barbara's are featured on Create & Craft on the 9th for her fabulous and now awaited 2hr slots every fourth week! and Sheena's are to be launched on the 15th for 2 one-hour shows (as far as i am aware) so if you are a follower of these 2 fantastic stampers, you won't wanna miss these shows...........i'm not allowed to give you sneaky peeks until nearer the time, but i can say that Barbara's are very 'loving' and Sheena's will 'surprise' you! and thats all im saying for now............so there!!! lol............
I am also very happy to announce, that i am going to be the Guest Designer for the lovely Emma Wood of CESchallenges, for the whole of January, so that's 4 challenges in all so please followers check it out and try and take part if you can at HERE. So this will probably be my last post of 2010, hugs to you all and see you in 2011!!! Vick xxxxx

brush in hand!!

2010-12-25T22:05:00.001Z

well Christmas Day is almost over for another year and i did actually use a brush today and do some glazing! But it turns out it was honey, a pastry brush and parsnips in the mix LOL instead of the normal suspects!! So if you bothered to do any crafting today, you're a better crafter than I.........Hope you all had a good day and see you in the New Year!!
Vick xxx

Season's Greetings!

2010-12-24T13:37:00.000Z

Hello Stampers and Crafters alike, i just wanted to post a wish of A Healthy Happy Christmas to all my followers and here's to a Healthy, Happy, Brighter New Year and i hope to see you all in the New Year following and posting, here's to new friends too!!!! Hugs and Good Wishes, Vick xxxxx

Too Ill

2010-12-23T03:24:00.000Z

Hiya Friends,

I thought i would stop by my blog and apologise for the lack of posts recently, i have been very ill with a flu that just won't budge, but i promise i will be posting very soon again as i am currently working on designs for Barbara Gray for her show on the 9th January and am also going to be working on Sheena's shows on the 15th Jan, so plenty to keep my mind occupied and stop me feeling all the pain i have on a daily basis, needed this flu on top like a hole in the head, but what the heck! Im alive.......catch up soon guys, Vick xxx

CHALLENGE LACEY

2010-12-10T14:31:00.000Z

I had to make my 5 year old Niece a card for her birthday today, Lacey, so i thought i would use one of Mo's Pencil digital stamps and enter it into a couple of challenges, haven't found any yet but will look after this post, hope you like it, any questions? comment me, hugs vick xxxxx

SNOW SNOW AND MORE SNOW!!

2010-12-02T20:56:00.000Z

Like many others we are snowed into our house, good job i am used to being in all the time or i would be pretty peeved right now! It has been snowing here in South Yorkshire for a week now and is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. It is 2-3 foot everywhere around us for upto 10miles away and 3-6 ft in snow drifts up against fences and walls. We havent had post for 4 days and havent been able to use the car for as long! the dogs are loving though everytime they go out into the garden, (pics below) and because they are small dogs we lose them everytime they go out, all you can see is their heads bobbing up and down, lol.........i wish i could tell you that i have been using this opportunity to stamp like a good'un in my craft studio, but i have somehow caught a flu bug and been in bed for the last 3 days , with the most horrible sore throat i've ever had and my nose and head are like cotton wool, my legs feel like they dont belong to me, oh well, never mind, i can look out the window at the children next door throwing snowballs at each other and building snowmen and igloos much better than i could at their age!! the artist in me didnt extend to snowman building! but so wish i wasn't disabled cause the kid in me wants to play in the snow and throw as many balls as i could at John my hubby and he wish he was more agile so he could throw some back, lol!! Anyway, hopefully we will get some post come through and i will get my order of a new cricut mat and cartridge that should have been here 3days ago, as i paid for overnight delivery and citylink decided they couldnt get anywhere near us at the beginning of the week, so i am waiting, like everyone else for my goodies.

The first pic is of our back garden, the second of Barney, one of our Bichon Frise dogs who loves the snow, how can you tell? and the thrid is of our front gate and drive, rather obscurred and nearly completely buried by the snow and we are supposed to be getting even more, if thats at all possible!!!!

I hope to feel better over the coming days so that i can make some things in the studio and post them on here, well, whatever you are doing, working, crafting, playing in snow, stay safe and keep well. xxxx

THE ANTIQUED TAG

2010-11-25T16:23:00.001Z

Hi All, today i haven't done any stamping, however last night i took an old cream coloured tag/label and made it look vintage with a few stamps from a stamp sheet by Sam Poole, that i bought from Crafters Companion. I was drawn directly to this sheet as i love the vintage feel and wild flowers, and there is two very small stamps that i would have paid for on their own for what i paid for the whole sheet.......a 'cracked earth' look and a grunged dot like patch, they are so well worth what i paid for the whole sheet and i have used them on this tag as a background in a second stamping, by firstly stamping the initial on some scrap paper and then used the secondary stamp on the background, and then i have gone over the same area with the first stamping alternating the stamps direction as i go, i really do like the finished effect and this would look great on a card for male or female! for females you could pretty it up with some ribbon or lace, or use brighter colours, anyway, this isn't a finished card, its rather a finished technique, hope you like it xxx check back for more inspiration on this new stamp sheet from Crafters Companion (where i purchased it from )Who would have thought that this was a plain cream boring tag/label?

STAMPAVIE-MY SARAH KAY CARDS

2010-11-22T19:46:00.000Z

Hi Crafters,
I don't know about you but i absolutely love Sarah Kay images, Magnolia and Elizabeth Bell designs, and i am slowly but surely collecting these stamps. I bought my first Sarah Kay by Stampavie stamp last week from CRAFTERS COMPANION and at £6.75, i could afford one a month to play with. Anyway as most of you know i have been recently designing my cards for Sheena, so when the stamp arrived from Crafters Companion, i couldn't play with it. Boo hoo........anyhoo, after a rest over the weekend, (as i cannot craft too much due to illness) i stamped and embossed it this morning..............i thoroughly enjoyed leisurely colouring it in this afternoon with my promarkers whilst watching tv from my bed, as my mobility became worse this afternoon so i'm bedbound at the mo! ......anyway, i finished the card 40mins later and thought i would share it with you, here on my blog......i do hope you like it, i love it and this stamp will definitely be used over and over again, it's gorjus!!! hugs, Vick xxxxx

P.S Don't forget, i love getting comments!!! Sorry if the card is darker than usual but the light nowadays isn't very good even in the afternoon!!

Ingredients i used to make this card

Stampavie Sarah Kay (clear) stamp 'Bernadette admiring the spring flowers' from CC HERE
A4 Centura Pearl card in 'Snow White' from C.C, HERE
Pink Coredinations card
Corner Rounder Punch (papermania)
MS punch around the page
Blueberry Hill DP
Ornate Circle Die from Spellbinder
Cherry Blossoms, pearl heart ribbon buckle, satin ribbon (orchid) pink/cream calla lilies, pink deep pikn and pink/white 25mm roses all from Wild Orchid Crafts, HERE
White embroidered rose ribbon trim from my stash
Lilac ribbon rose from stash
Lilac prima flower from Joanna Sheen, HERE
Irridescent Glitter spray from Crafters Companion
Versamark
Distress Ink (spun sugar and Victorian Velvet) around the ornate round
Black detail EP
Collall Glue Gel from Crafters Companion
Collall photo glue from Crafters Companion
1" wide DST from Poundland
Heat Gun
Heat Resistant/Non Stick craft sheet from Sheena Douglass, HERE
Promarkers used to colour:-
Jeans -Powder Blue
Jeans Patch - Orchid
Top and Hair Ribbon - Orchid and Amethyst
Flowers - Orchid and Lilac
Foliage - Leaf Green and Marsh Green
Skin - Satin, Blush and Dusky Pink
Watering Can - Cool Grey 1

Thankyou xx

DOWN THE PUB!!!!

2010-11-21T17:39:00.000Z

So here is my final peek into my 'A Little Bit Sketchy, Vol2' range, i would have more but circumstances on this occasion slowed me down and prevented me from making more but i hope you like what i did make.......heres to the next sneaky peeks from my designed cards for Sheena! In the meantime i will be posting cards that i have made for my private cardmaking and also some samples i will have made on Barbara's next live show (her last, before Christmas boo hoo) on the 5th December, so not too long to wait avid stampers!!! Hugs Vick xxx

Ingredients i used to make this card

Scene and sentiment from 'Cheers' stamp plate from Sheena Douglass HERE
MS corner punch
Black & White ribbon from my stash
Watercolour card
White base card
Beaded oval die from Spellbinder
Scalloped oval die from Spellbinder
Black card
'WOW' Black Glint EP from Sheena Douglass
Archival Inkpad (black)
Good quality tapered brush to draw out the colour with a little water
Distree Ink (black soot)
Border made by stamping from the curly flourish at the beginning of the 'C' in cheers
Collall Glue Gel from Crafters Companion
Collall Photo Glue from Crafters Companion
Heat Gun
Anti static bag
Heat Resistant Non Stick Craft sheet

BEAUTIFUL STREAM!!

2010-11-21T17:16:00.000Z

Hi Crafters,
This is another card i made for the launch of Sheena Douglass stamps 'A little bit Sketchy...Vol2' i love this scene. and i think its clever how Sheena has drawn it to be open to suggestion, meaning it could be a spring summr card but with a clever use of colour and techniques, the scene could quite easily be turned into a wintery scene and adding snow! Hope you like the scene too and i hope i've done it justice! bye for now xx vick

Ingredients i used to make this card

Scene and sentiment from the 'stream' stamp plate available from here
Heat Gun
White base card
Coloured and stamped with various distress inks and aquamarkers
ferns embossed with a pine green embossing powder from my stash
'WOW' Black Glint E.P from Sheena
Archival Inkpad (black)
3d foam pads

CROCUS DOILY CARD

2010-11-21T16:03:00.003Z

Hey there people, this is another designed sample card from the new "A little bit Sketchy"Vol.2 range from Sheena Douglass here. I hope you like it, have a good Sunday evening.................x

Ingredients used to make this card

Sentiment and Crocus image from the 'Spring' stamp plate
Ivory pearlescent A4 card
Ornate Circle Die from Spellbinder
White flat backed adhesive pearls that i coloured Aubergine to match card with aubergine Promarker
Backing Paper and adhesive decoupaged lilacs from my own stash
All fabric flowers on this card are from Joanna Sheen
Doily is from Joanna Sheen
Lilac vellum from my stash
Aubergine Stardream card from Joanna Sheen
Sentiment stamped with Versamark and then embossed with Cosmic Shimmer (Blue Raspberry Aurora) E.P
Crocuses stamped and coloured with Big and Juicy (Hydrangea) embossed with WOW clear EP all from Sheena Douglass
Pearl brad from Papermania
spacer bead from stash
Collall Photo Glue from Crafters Companion
Collall Glue Gel from Crafters Companion
DST
Cut and Dry foam from Sheena Douglass
Anti Static Bag
Acrylic Block
UMount from Crafters Companion
Non Stick/Heat Resistant craft sheet from Sheena Douglass
Heat Gun from stash

any other questions relating to this card please do not hesitate on getting in touch with moi!!! xx

MY 8x8 "SNOWDROP" LOL.......... SNEAKY PEEK!!

2010-11-20T08:19:00.003Z

Hello Everyone on this cold Saturday morning!! Being Saturday, that could only mean one thing, Yes!!!!!.........Sheena is on C&C in 24hrs time, yippee.....cannot wait...........so to make the time go faster you could go around the DT's blogs and check out what they have made with Sheena's new stamp sets! and you could start here, on my blog! I stamped and embossed the snowdrops and i knew that everyone else would be leaving them white, but i thought i would do them whatever colour i wanted, that's the art of being a designer!!! LOL ........oh ok, you caught me out, i was so wrapped up in what i was doing, i finished the card and looked at it again to take my pics and realised that i had stamped the snowdrops and NOT the crocuses......"Oh No.....they are snowdrops!!! my card was ruined and then i thought......what is art all about? having the licence to interpret whatever, however you want.......so i'm sticking with my lilac snowdrops!!! LOL..........., so what do you think? I hope it really doesn't matter...........and you like the card, hugs to you all and thankyou for passing by, see you tomorrow!! Vick xxx
P.S Don't forget to check out my fellow team mates blogs for their designs today, SHEENA, GILL and LIN xxx

Ingredients i used to make this card

'Spring' stamp plate from HERE
A3 Ivory Centura Pearl card from Crafters Companion HERE to make the 8x8 blank
Various flowers from my craft stash, Joanna Sheen HERE and Wild Orchid Crafts HERE
Silver mirri card from my craft stash
Bronze/Lilac paper from Crafters Companion
Butterfly from Marianne Designs
Fancy Ornate circle die from Spellbinders
satin ribbon in lilac also from Wild OrchidCrafts (link above)
clear diamantes from my own craft stash
Spun Sugar Distress Ink from Tim Holtz HERE at SD
Aubergine heavy weight textured card from Kameo Crafts
Lilac floral card from Hunkydory
DST
Collall Glue Gel from Crafters Companion
Collall Photo glue from Crafters Companion
MS punch around the page
foam pads
Snowdrops were coloured in using promarkers :- orchid, amethyst, lilac

NAUGHTY NAUGHTY!!! SNEAK

2010-11-19T01:11:00.002Z

I know its only early, but technically it is the third day of previews even though it's barely Friday i knew i would be busy so thought i would post my sneak peek before i go to bed, i am naughty, but nice! Hope you like this card and check out my fellow teamies blogs of SHEENA, LIN & GILL and see what they're getting upto, feel free to post your comments on what you think of my cards, and i am thanking you in advance, lookout for my further postings! I am just about to start work on the next batches of Clarity stamps too so they will be on here first week in December too! Itssafe to say if you followme you won't miss all the previews and inspiration i'm hoping i am passing on to other crafters out there, cheers everyone and i hope you like this 3rd offering!! xx

Ingredients used to make this card

'Cheers' stamp plate from http://www.sheenadouglass.com/
Chocolate brown & gold leather effect card
Ivory card for matting & layering
Gold 6x6 base card
WOW black glint E.P from http://www.sheenadouglass.com/
WOW Gold E.P from http://www.sheenadouglass.com/
Alcohol inks from Tin Holtz in Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain
Leaves (card) from spellbinders die
other leaves from craft stash
Roses from Wild Orchid
MS punch around the page
Collall Photo Glue from Crafters Companion
Collall Glue Gel from Crafters Companion
Gold Glitter spray from Crafters Companion

I used a good quality paint brush and took the colour back out of the pub image so it stands out more from the background colours

Thanks for taking the time out to read this and comment

SNEAKY PEEK No2

2010-11-18T10:29:00.005Z

Hiya Folks, hope you are having a good day, i thought i would post my next sneaky peek of my designs this time using Sheena's new stamps due out on Create and Craft 9am and 12noon this Sunday, dont miss it guys!!!! hugs for the day, Vick xx

Ingredients used to make this card

Bird and Sentiment from 'Faith' stamp sheet from http://www.sheenadouglass.com/
Ornate circle die from Spellbinders
Cappucino crocheted lace ribbon with satin ribbon threaded through
Vintage floral digital paper from Bearly Mine Crafts
Green Frame and Leaves from Marianne Designs
Distress Inks from Tim Holtz in Antique Linen and Vintage Photo
Cut n Dry foam
Aquamarkers to colour
Various leaves from craft stash
Various flowers inc roses of varying sizes and types, calla lilies & stamens all from Wild Orchid crafts
stamped and embossed butterfly onto acetate from my craft stash
DST
Foam Pads
'WOW' Gold E.P from http://www.sheenadouglass.com/
MS Border Punch (doily lace)
Pearlescent light green card for matting and layering
Ivory A3 Centura Pearl card from Crafters Companion
Gold Glitter spray from Crafters Companion
Collall Photo glue from Crafters Companion

MY FIRST SNEAKY PEEK!!!!

2010-11-17T15:22:00.004Z

Hi There Stampers,

Today is the day we can start posting our sneaky peeks of Sheena Douglass' new stamps that are due on Create and Craft this Sunday!!! at 9am and Noon12pm......i cannot wait and i'm not on my own am I crafters?......check out my first sneak peek and then bob over to the lady herself SHEENA and see what little gem she has to show you, i'm sure its gonna be a beauty, as always!!! and my other designer friends have lots to show you too, one sneaky peek every day until Sunday, so there's plenty of inspiration for you, for when you get your stamps through the post!!!! and of course you are getting an idea of what goodies Sheena will be bringing to the shows as well so pop along and check out GILL (who eerily has used the same stamp as me for her first preview,lol) LIN my other fellow teammate, a great designer after another, after another!!! Hope you like.......hugs, Vick xxxx

By the way, I will add a rundown of ingredients i used to make this card later! xx thanks

Ingredients used to make this card

A4 piece of 'snow white' Centura Pearl card from Crafters Companion
A5 piece of card printed with own wood effect print, however, any obscure background print or stamping with do
Bronze Mirri Board from Joanna Sheen
Corner Punch (corneradorner) from my local craft shop
Spellbinders Labels Die
Sheena's 'Believe' stamp plate (Alittle Bit Sketchy Vol2) for the church and sentiment from http://www.sheenadouglass.com/
Distress Inks in Antique Linen and Walnut Stain were used to distress the card and colour the images with from Tim Holtz & Ranger
Cut and Dry foam from Ranger
WOW E.P Pepper Reg from http://www.sheenadouglass.com/
1" wide chocolate brown grosgrain which i made into what i call a chocolate box bow (now adopted by many)
DST (craftstudio)
Collall Photo Glue from Crafters Companion
Collall Glue Gel from Crafters Companion
If you have any further questions about this card do not hesitate to ask them , Vick xx

MALE INFLUENCES

2010-11-14T14:13:00.001Z

Well this stamp set screams 'MALE THEMED CARDS' at you and it would be pretty hard to make anything else from them cause they were so masculine that i thought to myself whilst working with them......."Great, something for men that are easy to work with!" A lovely large stamp in the shape of a 1st class stamp, that didn't occur to me until the shows, that it is an actual ATC size, "duh duh brain i am or what"? I could have done so much more with this, if i had only realised what it was intended for, but Hey! that's called suggestive and maybe being a designer i may have interpreted it differently anyhow, so it looks like i did.........even though i lost my lovely daddy when i was 15, i also tend to write DAD on all the male cards i have designed over the years for TV, i guess its wishful thinking, i don't have the need to make 'DAD' cards in my everyday life, as my husband's dad is no longer with us either, so i guess i indulge myself if i have to make male cards for TV, its got DAD on it!! Joys of being a designer, you can do what you want!!! LOL..........so thanks Barbara for letting me be a little indulgent! xx

I used in this card some alcohol inks on the gold mirri card that was then cut out from the beaded oval spellbinder frames. I stamped and embossed the 1st class stamp in black detail EP then coloured the stamped area in gold Sakura gel pens, i also stamped it onto an olde world map of the British Isles that i printed and also stamped the fob watch that also comes with this set to make my own background on the card, which gave me a great backdrop to the stamp and then i used the minature car stamp and embossed it in gold detailed EP as a travel aspect to go with the map, i thought it went well anyway! lol......maybe i have a different view on things to other 'normal' people LOL........i used male type colours but im female and i love the dark chocolate browns and burgundy's anyway, this is my 'DAD' card this year!!! hugs to all my followers xxxxx

THE SECOND SILVER/WHITE

2010-11-14T13:55:00.000Z

This was the second card in these designs that i finished in Silver and White and its a lovely design of a snowdrops,birds and grasses round, with a clever corner and sentiment which is so true! hope you like it......it was heat embossed like the other card in silver sparkled EP i also added Stickles (Crystal) to the snowdrops themselves and added the few diamantes, this card didnt need anything else to make it special, the stamps did that for you!

SILVER AND WHITE

2010-11-14T13:51:00.000Z

I really think there is something Classy and beautiful about Silver/White and Gold/Ivory designs and i seemed to get into the Silver and White this month very easily as i completed 2 very different designs in the same way, i loved working on them both and the wreath had a lot of cutting out as i used the initial wreath that came with the set to decoupage it but then stamped and heat embossed the single leaf too several times and added that to the already stamped and heat embossed wreath 3 times over and cut out, all onto mint scented white with silver cracked detail its gorgeous card, really special! And to keep that classical, elegant way about it i finished the easel off with the gorgeous, poignant verse from the great William Shakespeare that was cut and embossed with my spellbinders labels set and finished off with a round diamante buckle and black velvet ribbon! So Lush, i would be over the moon to recieve this at Christmas, hope you like it guys xxxxx

OTHER CLARITY DESIGNS

2010-11-14T13:28:00.000Z

Another design that i thought would make a great male card was the tree and partridge, because Barb didn't have to state it was a partridge persay, it could have been any bird and therefore not a necessarily 'christmas' card, i feel that's why she probably left it open to suggestion, we don't all want to buy just christmas stamps, any stamper will agree, i presume, that we try to get as much out of a design as we can and if we can use it all year round, we will, its called value for money and crafters are very good at hunting out, 'value for money'!! so here it is, very moody, and not overly feminine with one bow that's chunky grosgrain in chocolate brown

I stamped around the card in versamark and used detailed clear EP and heated from behind to give that real glossy effect, i stamped the 'partridge' in versamark and used a bronze EP coloured it in with promarkers............i stamped the tree in Archival Black and embossed with a detailed black EP and that was stamped onto a masked off area that i brayered (speedball)with my foliage Big and Juicy Inkpad

DISTRESSED FEATHER

2010-11-14T13:19:00.003Z

Well by now you know i loved this feather so i won't go on, here's the distressed, antiqued looking card, i just love this card, even if i do say so myself and it really would make a great male card too!! well i think so anyway.....................

MY CLARITY DESIGNS

2010-11-14T13:16:00.001Z

Hiya Folks, I'm a little upset as i didn't even see most of my creations on the show and the bottom of the pile was seen but hey! I guess they weren't right, but i loved them and other people who have seen them love them and might want to know how they were made so here is my rundown, thanks guys for always cheering me up on Facebook! without you there wouldn't be a point!!

so this is one of my favourites, i just adore that feather stamp its gorgeous and done in a dot matrix styley, which is (if you didn't know) a picture or form made up of tiny dots instead if brushstrokes or pencil lines, and i think that's why i love this stamp so much as it is very intricate and in the basic B&W the intricacy is very evident. Well drawn by Barbara some years ago now, but one of those images that can never grow old, as it is natural!
I masked out a 1 inch border all the way around the DL card size and stamped out the smaller feather stamp that comes in the set of 3, i then stamped out the largest feather and did a complex crackle effect that took twice to make as i wasn't happy with the first attempt it wasn't cracked enough (does that tell you something about me? lol) anyhow here is a close up of the crackled effect on the card, this wasn't seen on tv so i thought i would showcase it here, this is my blog of stamped designs afterall!

Hope you like this one guys and thanks for stopping by, hugs Vick xxxxx

WOW!! SHEENA IS HERE

2010-11-12T01:26:00.000Z

Wow.....I got some goodies via a courier from Sheena yesterday and will be designing this weekend and the best part of next week, for her show, date to be announced soon, so stay tuned into my blog and i will let you know. I will be posting sneaky previews of my designs in the days leading upto the shows, all i can say before then is they are fabulous, and very useable! Sheena's unique style of stamps are always easy to work with for beginners and still challenging enough for the old hand/advanced stamper such as myself! The stamps are sketchy and Sheena knows just what us crafters want and need and you will certainly NEEEEEED these, they are, in my humble opinion, suitable for any occasion across the board whether for a female or male there is something for all in these two sets of 3 stamp sheets, 6 in total, so watch this space for your previews and the finalised date for the shows! Hugs Vick xxx

DON'T MISS BARBARA

2010-11-12T00:06:00.000Z

Hiya Stampers,

Just a heads up for people so that they don't forget Barbara Gray is on our screens this Sunday, Yippee!!!! at 11am-1pm, so two hours of pure stamping indulgence. I have completed and sent Barb my designs and she has them safely tucked away ready for the show so i will be able to post them on here and my Facebook page on Sunday! I truly hope you like them and enjoy the shows as i know you all will, she is bringing some lovely sets of stamps, will be back on here soon with news of Sheena Douglass too! so keep posted, hugs to you, Vick

TIME IS MARCHING ON!!!!!!!

2010-11-09T06:05:00.000Z

Oh heck! I've just realised how close we are to Christmas (sorry for swearing) and i haven't even thought about Christmas cards, luckily i don't have a massive family so thats all good but the ones i do have all know the calibur of my work and will be expecting out of this world cards, and why wouldnt they? they know me so well that i go overboard on family cards and nothing is too much for them so i'd better get my thinking cap on!!!
I did buy Sheena's Christmas stamp plates, the last ones she did for Creative Expressions prior to leaving in the hope that i would use them and only them for my designs this year and then whilst looking/scavenging for some glorious designer backing papers i came across some more christmas stamps i'd forgotten about, some embellies and papers and then thought, Hmm......maybe i will do something other than what was in my head earlier last month! Oh dear, ive rambled again, sorry guys......i will be putting a couple of cards up soon i promise, but in the meantime im sure you have plenty of your own things to craft for Christmas too.........if you have any ideas please leave me a comment, anything different this year that you might try? i am hoping to stick to one design idea that all my cards will be a classic White/Silver mix and/or a gold/ivory mix, anyhoo......bye for now then and stay safe folks, hugs, Vick xxxxx

WHAT I'M UPTO!

2010-11-07T07:20:00.000Z

Hi Guys, Well i know i've been a little quiet of late...yes me, quiet, shock horror!!! well its my darling husband's birthday today so we are spending some time together but i will be spending most of my time today in my craft studio, putting together some designs for the lovely Barbara Gray who is popping onto our screens very soon.....so watch this space as i will be putting my designs up on the same day, which should be a week today on Create and Craft, our two favourite hours of the month!!! Hope you are all well and ready for all the new things i have in the pipeline, lets just hope that they come from out of my brain onto YouTube and my website also this and my next blog which is swingin into action this coming week! its all go here, i just hope my disabilities allow me to have some fun with my stamps and inkpads!!! speak soon guys, stay safe, and keep well!!! love vick xxxxx