MIXED MEDIA BOOKCOVER

Hi Crafters,

Today i bring you my first mixed media book/album cover.......I couldn't sleep and this was the result, not bad i don't think, i'm quite excited at how it came out, you might not agree, and don't like it, but i love it and it's gonna look even better bound and with text on it, just you wait and see.......I am going to do one of my tutorial videos, everyone seems to be enjoying them at the moment, and as long as i am inspiring just one person at the very least, i will continue to do the videos, this one will be to show you how to make one of these from scratch, only if you're interested that is, if not? don't tune into this video and wait for the next one but as a taster i will tell you what things i made this with.........the leopard print is one of my silky blouses i've started cutting up to make my flowers, oh and speaking of flowers, i am going to do a video this week for a very special little girl called 'Libby' and her Nanna, Sue Bradshaw, as i am aware that this lil angel watches my videos with her nan and then tries to make what i've done on my video, she couldn't stop making lacy flowers after watching my video and the other flowers and now will be hooked on the flowers i show her this week, look out for it Libby sweetheart!!!........anyway, i have also added, a cut out piece from a lace blouse, some white scrunched up tissue paper, some flat flowers,(the ones i use in one of my videos to make carnations and water lilies) fantasy film, mica flakes, PVA glue and alcohol inks, i may even add some UTEE before i bind-it-all to make a book, so watch this space as i will post here as soon as i have made the video to show you how, so its goodbye from me for now, hope you like the pics, Hugs everyone, Vick xxxx

WOODEN HEART

Hi There,
I thought i would have a play with a wooden heart and paint it, glaze it, throw everything, bar, the kitchen sink at it, to see what kind of effects i can make with different mediums, i love mixed media and altered art so i thought i would see what i could get from a few sequins and films/fibres. I started with the 5inch heart, painted it, then added fantasy film and fibres in 2 different colours, silver mesh, mother of pearl sequins, and some Beadazzles in 'Disco'. I will be hanging this in my craft room from some ribbon, but i will also be making more, in oblongs and squares, and by not adding too much 3dimension to them, i will take them through my Bind It All and make some funky looking book covers so watch this space!!! Bye for now guys, Vick xx

Under Scrutiny, Review No1 - Prisma Premiers -v- Derwent Coloursofts & TOP TIP

Hi Guys,

I have decided to do reviews on products i use and sometimes i will put them up against one another, but i will always tell the truth and not mislead you into buying something you don't need, and because i don't sell anything,  i have nothing to lose, therefore i am totally loyal to my blog followers & visitors alike as you all know me, i say it like it is........

Today i thought i would try for the first time how to use my Prisma pencils. Back in January, i sent my long suffering hubby to get me some Derwent 'Coloursoft' which blend and work in the same way Prisma Premiers do, now i know its hard to get hold of Prismas, which is why i chose Derwent 'coloursofts' over them, and not every craft shop sells them, infact i could only find one and they are in sets, http://craftsulove.co.uk  However, i wanted to buy a pencil of my choice not what is in a set, anyway, i found http://www.1buy1pencils.co.uk where you can buy each pencil for £1 and make them all your choice, so in Feb, i bought 30 pencils, so now i have 54 blendable pencils and after using them just now as a tester, cause as you know this is my first time, i can honestly same the Prismas are a little softer and blend beautifully and much easier than the 'Coloursofts', thing is they are dearer than Prismas too, hubby paid £29.99 for 24 'Coloursofts' and i paid £30 for 30 Prismas, so Prismas are your best bet..........now for my top tip...... To utilise your pencils and blend with them, you will need some form of mineral spirits, some people use oils, which are all well and good but stay within your paper or card and can leave stains, where mineral spirits will evaporate as you are blending. As an artist i have oil paints that i use and i use an odourless thinners, which in effect is what i needed, so instead of using it in a big gallon bottle, i decanted some into an old 'cockles' jar, but i only filled it halfway, then i added an old sponge that i cut to the correct size to sit at the top of the jar within (use the jar upside down on your sponge as a template, before you fill it, then cut out sponge) then pour a little more of the spirits in to soak the sponge and voila!!! you only have to dab your paper stumps onto the wet sponge, that stays wet!! and you are never soaking your paper stumps which will shorten its useage i would have thought, anyway, here's some pics of what i mean, thanks Vick x

DEDICATED TO MY BROTHER, BILLY

Hi Guys,

I am sorry i haven't been around my blog much in recent days, but i had some bad news that my big brother, was on life support, and in a coma, in Bath, Somerset so obviously i was down there waiting for news sitting in a family room with my hubby John, mum and younger brother, and trying to sleep but couldnt, for two days. Unfortunately my brother had advanced lung disease and lost his fight to live, we lost him on Sunday 6th May at 3.17am he was 50 years old.......as you can imagine we are all distraught, and i couldn't think of anything other than this and even crafting couldn't help me, but the last day or two i have been finding that doing things to do with craft has eased my tears and controlled my mind so im not mourning constantly, and making myself ill, i know my brother wouldn't want that anyway.  So hopefully i will be around more on my blog and especially after the funeral, although we have no date for that yet!
So this post is really, dedicated to my brother Bill and to tell him i love him dearly, but i'm guessing he already knows that. The only good things to come out of all this sadness is he was on the donor list and has saved lives with his kidneys, liver, pancreas and heart valves.......so to me, he is now a hero! R.I.P x

A Simple Promarker Tut. 2

Hi Guys,

Here is the link to the second in my Promarker Tutorials that were asked for to help with shading and colouring, i used a Flowersoft stamp this time and again a limited palette, thanks x

A Simple Promarker Tutorial. 1

Here i have done a tutorial video for everyone that has asked me for one!! I thought i would do a few different ones and also do them on a limited palette so that you can see that colouring with Promarkers doesn't have to be expensive, and you don't necessarily need lots of colours or shades of one colour, i hope you enjoy it and come back for another one later in the week! Hugs Vick x

RECYCLING - Shabby Chic Florals

Hey Guys,

Happy Good Friday to everyone, i thought i would kick off Easter with another recycling idea, however, this one, i have invented myself and hope you like them that much that you might purchase some from me, i call them ' Bloomin' Loopy's' and you may notice that one of them is the same colouring and fabric as my pincushion, and you would be correct!! The flower is made from 100% recycled brown suede and has been designed by me, and i love them, i have also done some in Antique Rose suede and have added a pic of them to this post. I have also made some in denim and silk, which will appear in a post in the coming days, the reason for this post is that i will be using them on my 'Shabby Chic Mirror' project, that is the accompanying twin to my pincushion (in the previous post) to finish off my set! Tomorrow i will be filming the tutorial of how to make the exact same pincushion and posting the link on here to my YouTube channel and within that tutorial i will show you the mirror that i am finishing off today and filming a tutorial of how to design that mirror, early next week, so stick with me, keep checking back over the next few days for those ideas and i hope you love my new florals in my 'RECYCLING' range......my little beauties 'Bloomin' Loopy's'. To purchase 6 from me in my own handmade packaging please contact me @ vickshine1@btinternet.com they are £2.97 for 6 one size only until next week, this size is large and is between 6 and 6 1/2 cm wide (2 1/2") P&P is free within the U.K
Thanks Guys and i hope you like them as much as i do, remember, do your bit for the environment and buy 100% recycled goodies wherever you can!!! Hugs&Blessings Vick x

RECYCLING AT ITS BEST- A SHABBY CHIC PINCUSHION

Hey guys,

Happy Saturday, How are you spending your weekend? Well i have much designing to do for a show due on German TV for Claritystamp, and have also just completed some designs for this weekend's shows on Create&Craft, so don't forget about it,  if you are a Barb/Clarity fan.  I also will be posting my samples on here and my FB account 'Vick McClean'. So, how did i kick off my weekend? I started yesterday and made myself what i think is recycling at its best and breath-takingly beautiful if i do say so myself (and you know me i dont blow my own trumpet, but its so pretty)  i couldn't be happier, as to how it turned out......my Shabby Chic Pincushion!! The pics don't do it justice though its even more beautiful in the flesh so to speak, and much of the 'gubbins' are recycled, which is you doing your bit for the environment! what more could you ask for? LOL.........so here it is..... pics......then ingredients and next week, look out for the posting to your very own lesson on Youtube of how to make it, you know i love to share my ideas!!! so keep your eye out for the posting on Facebook and on here, of my very popular 'How To' tut videos..................Enjoy guys!! xxxHugs Vick
P.S Even the rear looks good!!!
P.P.S I will also be making a matching shabby chic mirror to complete the set!!

Ingredients used for this creation


Recycled items - Empty can of Tuna - inners of an old cushion - a beige suede skirt (including waistband) elastic bands - and lastly, glass pebbles from my weighted balloon boxes (used at my wedding 8yrs ago)
Wild Orchid Crafts items - Lace, any cream or natural trim will do though - 30mmx40mm 'beautiful lady' cameo - medium ivory satin bows with pearl centres - 25mm open roses in, baby pink, two tone rosy/baby pink, and ivory - pearl spray - large cream with gold sequinned fabric butterflies - pearlescent pear shaped pins - crown pins in baby pink
Other items from my own stash - several different sizes and colours of glass pearls - Siver rondelle spacers - silver plated bead caps - Ivory soft marabou feathers

I hope you like this, and don't forget, look out for the matching mirror frame and tut video on YouTube in how to make them, thanks again xxx Hugs

PRIMA NATURE GARDEN

Oh how fickle we truly are!! Especially crafters......i have found yet another favourite Prima pad, i really don't know how they do it as each inidividual paper has so much going on, so many levels of artwork, 10-12 levels in some cases and i wonder, how do they always come up with ideas that we all love and can't get enough of, all i can say is their market research team deserve a payrise!!! LOL......i am inlove, again!!!! LOL......people who aren't addicted won't know what the heck i'm talking about, but paper addicts such as myself, will so appreciate where i'm coming from when i say, these are top notch papers and to die for, lol, not literally you understand. And so, most sites don't show them well, here are some pics i have just taken for you to peruse at your leisure, do not blame me when you have spent your well earned pennies again, and at £7.99 for an A4 pad of 48 sheets of wonderful papers, who could grumble?? and they are, in my opinion between 140-160 gsm..excellent quality as always!........Enjoy boys and girls xxxx hugs

Prima Almanac Paper pad

Hey guys,

If you are into grungy, vintage looking papers like i am, you couldn't go far wrong with the latest offerings from Prima, i just love their paper range and have quite a few on the go!! I still yearn after the Printery pad as you still cannot purchase that anywhere in the world, so i have to appease that yearning somehow don't I? And what better way than buying other pads i like the look of, and the latest one ive purchased is the Almanac, i got mine over a week ago now from http://bunnyzoescrafts.com in 6x6 format and it is an incredibly gorgeous scrummy pad!!! Oh if you love vintage and loved the look of the Printery and couldn't get your hands on it either than this is the next best thing in my book, there are also extras you can buy to match but i havent bought any of these, however, i have taken some pics of the papers that you get, for you to look and drool over, LOL, as most of the sites don't show them properly so i thought i would show you properly and thus i am helping you to spend your money, lol, what are friends for? hehehehe, hope you like, and i will do something with mine real soon and post on here for you to see, that's if i can bear to cut into them, they are very strokable papers, good job you get 3 of each design, oh and i actually got an extra one, 49 sheets instead of 48, not sure if that was just my pad or a whole batch, happy accident, so i would get yours from Nikki @ Bunny Zoes, just incase, lol!!! hope you like xxxx

250 FOLLOWERS BLOG CANDY!!!

Hey there guys,

How would you like to win my 1st ever blog candy? yes? all you have to do is advertise this blog candy in your sidebar (by grabbing the pic on my sidebar, and link it back to my blog)  and be a follower, that's it and as soon as i reach 250 followers i will pick someone at random as the winner!! Sound good? Maybe someone can get this prize in time to do something for Mothers Day, however, do these Tulips in lemon and they make a lovely springy Easter card too! There is also 5 embossing powders in this candy, in, lemon, baby blue, baby pink, peach and mint.....i will also throw in a few yards of different widths and colours of organza ribbon for good measure, so advertise and follow, easy!!
Good Luck to you all, hugs Vick xxxx

OMG!!! An award

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

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!!

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

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!!

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!!!

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!!

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!

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

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