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Monday 29 February 2016

VINTAGE SEWING CARD


Hi everyone,

Another card from me today.  This is a card which I made way back last May.  I still love making this type of card and it is inspiring me, looking at this photo, into thinking I should make some more.  I just love the image from Cardmakers Delights.

The lovely Tim Holtz diecut at the top is from a set I bought from eBay, but I think I NEED that die! lol  The other die-cut is a lovely border die which is a JOY die available from Noor Designs UK.



As always, thanks for looking today,

Judy x

Friday 26 February 2016

FUSSY AND FANCY SHABBY BINGO FUN CHALLENGE

Hi everyone,

Grab a cuppa, (it is quite a lengthy post) and read on.  I do hope you find this inspiring:

Yes, it is time for another challenge at Fussy and Fancy !  Grab a cuppa as this is a long, but i hope interesting post.  There is extra prize to be won too so do read to the end.T

It is my turn to host this Challenge and I have chosen a really fun theme entitled 'FUSSY & FANCY SHABBY BINGO FUN'  This is an ideal theme for using up some of our lovely goodies from our sponsor at Live and Love Crafts


This, for me,  stems back to many years ago when I Googled the Definition of Shabby Chic.  I remember reading the most wonderful article on this.  Can I find it now?  NO!  I have searched and searched without success.  I remember it referring to opening a chest in Grandma's attic and finding all this lacey items, worn edges (distress?), things dreamy, floaty, delicate and bordering on romantic.  I do wish I could have found it.  So, this is the nearest article I could find when Googling it recently:



A brief explanation of Shabby-Chic / Cottage-Style;


   The term "shabby-chic" was first used in the late eighties by fashion designer Rachel Ashwell. The term encompasses the decor you might expect to find in a tastefully decorated country- cabin, or maybe even your own Grandmothers house.


Many shabby-chic/cottage style themes centre around the use of shades of white. This is invariably combined with soft dreamy floral-patterns, wonderful pastel blues, greens, creamy peach, and delicate pinks. The concept uses many different types of vintage items such as old furniture ( white " distressed" finish is popular) , wrought iron curtain rods with flimsy sheer curtains (perhaps dyed with tea), luxuriant pillows abound, and of course, plenty of fresh cut flowers. Shabby Chic/ Cottage Style is not rigidly defined, but is achieved through an elegant balance of the old and worn, shiny silver accessories, soft snugly furniture and plenty of pillows, vintage glass pieces certainly add to the overall effect.


   One could also expect to find rough, old lace and comfortable throw rugs, just think of how Grandmother decorated her home. If your Grandmother was anything like mine, she did not buy new furniture or household items. Back then many things were made by hand, or passed down. After all, Grandmother lived through the Great Depression, and two world wars. Durability and practicality were foremost; frivolous items were 'nay to be seen. Yet simple luxury and charm could be seen in abundance.


FUSSY & FANCY

SHABBY FUN BINGO

REQUIREMENTS:  
The requirements are simple.  
1.  Go for either one full line (that is using items selected vertical, horizontal or diagonally) or better still go for full house.  The chart is made it so that full house will be quite easy and enjoyable to do.


Those entrants who go for full house are asked to leave a comment on this post here on my Blog  telling me they have gone for full house.  I will then pop the names from the full house comments on my Blog into a hat and the lucky winner will win a little bit of something which I will donate.

2.  Each entrant is asked to tell us what line they have gone for, and what they have used to qualify please.  

3.  Most of all, just have fun and let your creativity run away with you and ENJOY.  

Here is the chart:  It is not as daunting as it appears, if you read it through you will see it is using all of what many of us usually use:





FUSSY & FANCY
Or CAS with a twist

(DO YOUR OWN THING)

DISTRESSING

DIE-CUTS




A SPARKLEY MIST



(Glitter etc)

SOMETHING
OLD


SOMETHING NEW


FRILLS &/OR LACE

PRETTY PEARLS TOO

DREAMY & DELICATE

(eg: Dreamy delicate colours)

TEXTURE & FLAIR


(Embossing, Structure paste, Cheesecloth etc)


VERGING ON ROMANTIC
(hearts, anniversary etc)


MAKE ITA PAIR!
(2 of something)

VINTAGE OR CUTE

(IMAGE)

RIBBONS OR BOWS

SHAPED OR SQUARE

ANYTHING GOES!

(add something of your choice)


SO, onto my creations:

I opted to make a card and matching altered Gift Bag using this lovely image, (this was cut from one of the papers),  plus papers and embellishments from Live and Love Crafts.  The die peeping round the edges is a Joy die available from Noor Designs Uk.  Anything else is from my stash.


 I went for Full House:

A Fussy & Fancy design
Distressing - I distressed the edges but it is hard to see
Die-cuts - Joy
Sparkley Mist - it is hard to see the sparkle on the photos but it is there
Something Old - I dug out my old charms
Something New - I cut into my new lace which can be seen at the left side from Ebay.
Frills/lace - The pleated frill at the foot of the image is from Live and Love Crafts.  Lace is purchased locally, and also from Ebay.
Pearls- Love pearls!  These were purchased locally.
Dreamy/delicate - I hope I have achieved this look
Texture - Cheesecloth and Dutch Doobadoo Structure paste from Noor Designs Uk.
Verging on Romantic - Bark hearts from Live and Love Crafts
Make it a Pair - Card and matching bag, and also two bows
Vintage - This lovely image was cut from one of the papers from Live and Love Crafts
Bows - These were from the lovely shabby binding from Love and Love Crafts
Shaped or Square  - I went for square
Anything goes - I went for a sideways criss cross type design for the bag with detachable tag

A view of the card:



A view of the bag:
 


 And the detachable tag:


Are you still awake?


I do hope you have time to pop over and take a look at the very talented Design Team's work on the Fussy and Fancy  blog.  

I hope you like this Challenge, it honestly is not as daunting as it might first appear, and most of the items a lot of use anyway - it would be really great if you could join in.

As always, thanks for looking, and have a great day! 

Judy x

Wednesday 24 February 2016

DREAMY VINTAGE

Hi everyone

Well I think itis time I shared a card for a change.  I love this dreamy Vintage image which I think would be from Cardmaker's Delights.  I was told recently that their site has closed, so I don't know what has gone on there.  I keep meaning to message tracy and check she is ok.

The bunting die is a Joy die purchased from Noor Designs UK, some of the flowers and embellishments are from Live and Love Crafts and the rest are from my stash.


I was really happy with the finished result of this one.

Thanks for looking today,

Judy x

Monday 22 February 2016

USING UP STASH - take 2

Hi everyone

So, this is another little 6 x 4inch book I am sharing today.  Again, I have used some of my old Magnolia papers,  Everything actually did come from my stash on this one also.  

The inside cover and back cover are both covered with paper too, there being a little pocket on the inside cover.

I am particularly pleased with how this one turned out. The photo just does not do it justice.  

You will see it is edged with the lovely border die whichk I bought from Noor Designs Ubefore Christmas.  I really love border dies, as you will probably have noticed, and although it is not terribly noticeable I have a habit of tinging these with Dutch Doobadoo Structure Paste (again available from Noor Designs Uk)








I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Double Dee Challenges (Red and white|)

As always, thanks for looking today

Judy x

Thursday 18 February 2016

VINTAGE ALTERED NOTEBOOK - TAKE TWO

Hi everyone,

Still on the subject of altered notebooks I have yet another one to share today.  And again this is one I made probably two years ago but was not terribly happy with, so I set too adding to it.

As you will see I have used lots of lace and items from my stash. 

It just shows how our taste and expertise changes over the years.  I was quite happy with this when I made it, then all of a sudden I was not.I don't think I dare look back at my very first makes!


Thanks for looking today,

Judy x

Monday 15 February 2016

VINTAGE ALTERED NOTEBOOK

Hi everyone,

Still on the subject of altered notebooks I have another one here to share today.  This one is a larger one than the others Ihave posted recently.  It is one I made last year but was not terribly happy with, so I set too adding to it.

As you will see I have used lots of lace and items from my stash.


Thanks for looking today,

Judy x

Sunday 14 February 2016

ANOTHER TOUCH OF VINTAGE

Hi everyone,

I am here with a very quick post this morning to share another card I made using another of these lovely Vintage images which came from Cardmakers Delights.  The last I heard was that the shop had closed, I do hope it is opening again and they were just away on holiday or something like that.

The border die is a JOY die available from Noor Designs UK, as were the flowers (a lovely Christmas present!)  The ribbons came from Live and Love Crafts, as did the lovely pleated trim at the foot of the image.  The pearls were another lovely Christmas present and everything else came from my stash.




There are two challenges I would like to enter this into.  Both are 'Love' themed challenges and as I have used these lovely heart charms and the bark hearts from Live and Love Crafts, along with the dreamy appearance I think this fits the bill perfectly.

Live & Love Crafts Challenge (Love is in the Air)

Noor Designs UK (Love)

As always, thanks for looking today and have a very Happy Sunday!

Judy x

Thursday 11 February 2016

ALTERED BOX

Hi everyone

I am here this morning to share photos of an altered box I made.  I purchased this box from Wilko some time ago.  It was a tricky shape to alter, and again I delved into my stash to find papers that would be suitable.  Now this one needed quite large papers which is something I lack.  So it is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle in places but it does not show.  I even embossed some of the papers to make them more suitable to co-ordinate.  It was quite a challenge to be honest.  It was no sooner made than my Mum snaffled it for a present.  So I am back to square one with the making of the Craft Fair makes! lol



 



As always, thanks for looking today

Judy x

Wednesday 10 February 2016

USING UP SCRAPS n STASH

Hi everyone

I wonder how many of you are like I am and just love using up scraps and stash.  Somehow there is such a lovely feeling to achieve something from nothing.  Alright I know we purchased these things initially, but when they have been sat there for a long length of time and then suddenly they see daylight I always feel as though I have achieved something by using them.  Plus, if it is using up scraps, well that is just a lovely feeling and makes me feel pleased I did not throw them out.

So, as I am getting together some things for the Summer Craft Fairs I delved into the things in my cupboard which were purchased probably three years ago for this purpose.  You will be seeing a few of these little altered notebook/organisers over the next few weeks I guess.

So, this is a little 6 x 4inch book.  I have used some of myold Magnolia papers,ones which I probably would not use for making a card.  Everything actually did come from my stash on this one.  The two right corners are adorned with a triangle cut from the same paper edged with a little scrap of lace.

The inside cover and back cover are both covered with paper too, there being a little pocket on the inside cover.





As always, thanks for looking today


Judy x


Tuesday 9 February 2016

ELABORATE ALTERED NOTEBOOK/ORGANISER

Hi everyone

Grab a cuppa, there are a few photos and a bit of describing to do here.

I know it has been a little quiet on here but I have not had idle hands.  I thought you might like to see one of the items I have recently completed.  It took simply ages!  But I absolutely loved making it.  I have just listed it on eBay, although I did set off making it to add to my stock for the Craft Fairs in the Summer.

So - first off around two to three years ago I spotted a really lovely quality Notebook/Organiser whilst visiting our son.  I bought three!  Well there is safety in numbers yes? lol  They have sat looking at me ever since.  So, this is the first of three which I planned to alter.

 I actually used lots of items from my stash.  Here we have laces,die-cuts, pearls, flowers, Structure paste has been added in places, you name it, it is probably there!

You will see there are also two little altered pegs on the front cover which are detachable.  How much this has actually cost me to make I do not know, I just dare not work it out so I have rough worked it out then just hazarded a guesstimate.  I just wanted to do it!  The next two, when I do them will be slightly different in that I will not be altering the dividers.  I think it really does outprice it.

Front cover:




Inside front cover:  with pocket including two little envelopes, a bookmark and a little 2016 calendar tab.










Inside back cover - there are three inside back covers which have been altered.  I won't show all the inside covers throughout, just a selection.  There are ten in all, and it is double sided making 20.  Need I say more!     Here we have one which has a pocket, the paper is pretty but does not show very well.  Inside I have made a heart tag, and the heart itself has a pocket too.
 





Each of the ten dividers have been decorated in an assortment of colours.  Here are a selection of photos:

This one has a lovely Sweet Dixie heart die-cut and a place left to slot the little envelope


Again, a band of lace provides a space for a little envelope to be slotted through.  And the green one beneath shows one of the less elaborate dividers.


Well, I loved making this, it took me simply ages, even moreso because I had to keep waiting for a page to dry all the way.

So, (are you still awake? lol)  That is one of the things I have been working on happily in the background.

Watch this space for more.....

Now I am chipping away at some personal cards.  I aim to get up to date with birthdays up to the end of May.  In addition I have two 60th and two 65th cards to make.  So it will keep me out fo mischief.

Well, I hope you are all enjoying your crafting, are well and happy.  Thank you so much for stopping by and looking.

Judy x