A Christmas Greeting

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

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!!

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!!

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 !!

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

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

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

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!!!

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!!

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!!!

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!!!

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

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

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..............

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

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

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!!!

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!!!

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

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