PMC Leaf Pendant

I am really pleased with this pendant, this is one I shall keep! New to this craft I am a little short of things especially gemstones but I still like the square one and it is Amethyst... one of my favourite colours! I used a real rose leaf to get the shape and texture but I did file off the little pointy bits along the edge as I thought they might be a bit sharp or scag my clothes. Now to think of what to make next! (Do have something in mind though ;) )

I did a little shopping today and got myself a few bits. Among them is a scrapbook so I can get the photos of hubbies 60th organised and I also got some white tags from PM. I also got myself a little pestle and mortar ready for doing enamels... can't wait to get some! Other than that today has been teaching, still got to finish the lesson yet but I am having a break and we will continue later.

Working out in the workshop

I decided to let the girls have a play in my workshop this week. It was great fun for us all and they made some concertina books. They enjoyed making them so much they made some mini ones to. Because the aren't English I decided to keep the instructions to a minimum... better that way! Constance really enjoyed the day so much she has added crafts to her list of interests. She has managed some great scrapbooking in it since, it is looking like a great journal of her stay. (The papers are from the Smirk range, available in the Paper n Lace store) This week we will be making some jewellery... simple beads and wire. I am sure they will enjoy that to!

Enamelling

I thoroughly enjoyed my day enamelling at Chris Pates! The class was taken by Tamizan Savill and was a fabulous day. I made some cufflinks prior to the day but the hearts I wanted to enamel on them were a little to deep so they didn't turn out as well as I would have hoped... never mind I will get it right next time! I have been having fun with the PMC, just made a pendant that I had hoped I would have fired by now but the gem I set decided to pop out so I have to wait now for the new setting to dry properly... will fire it tomorrow. I will be taking an 8 week traditional jewellery course starting September and I am quite excited about that!

The flower pendant was something I wanted to try to see what happened in the kiln with pieces that aren't flat. I used sand to hold the flowers in shape and I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Being new to this medium I am a little short of tools so used an O cutter to get the shape and it has the same texture as the cufflinks. I intend to do some spending in the next few days though... need to for sure!

Well I finished it...

Still don't like this page much. New to scrapping I am not to good at it but I do love doing it! Yesterday was The Modscraps crop and I had a fabulous time. We had a class in using acetate. I have included the page I did with that to. I have to say that Belinda created a wonderful page, it was outstanding actually! Wish I could show you that picture but you will just have to believe me! ;) I do have another page planned out but the photos I took with me were to big so I have brought it home to finish it here. No time to do it today though as I helped one of my girls with a carboot and then both girls and all the grandbabes came for Sunday lunch. I have a lot of work to do (sadly not crafting though) so not sure when I will get the chance to do it this week. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just craft all the time instead of some of it! Bliss!!!

Setting Stones in PMC

I took a class on Saturday in 'Setting Stones in PMC' and once again really enjoyed it! I didn't get as much done as I would have liked but I am looking forward to putting into practice what I learnt. This is the one thing I got completed, well I say completed but I still have to polish it up some more. I hope to get the other sorted today but as with all new things I don't have all the equipment I really need so not sure if I can without buying more stuff.... crafty hobbies are expensive aren't they! This morning I spent some time looking on the internet for books, there are so many out there making it difficult to decided which to get so if you have any suggestions?....

I finished it!

Well it was started at the crop but I couldn't finish it as I didn't have the neccecaries. I must say though that I did learn a lesson and that is double spreads need to be done at the same time! Having received a photo of one of my daughters with her children I took it along to a Scrapaholics crop as it was black and white and I thought it would work well with the information I had. It did! I am really proud of it, especially as it was only my second ever page. Then my other daughter gave me a fabulous photo of her and her children and I decided that although it was colour it would go well with the other. Of course that is where the trouble began... I had used almost all the papers from the first page and it was done in another place where others had kindly lent me bits and pieces, inks etc. I didn't have enough of the original supplies left to do it exactly the same but with some manoeuvring I think I managed a fair job and they are side by side in my scrapbook. It was only as I finished that I remembered the actual colour I used for the embossed bits... it was mine but, oh well, to late! Must say I wasn't to impressed with my new glue pen but that's another story, suffice to say I won't sell them! As for paper the Periphery Collection Pack was my saviour! It included some paper that in the same colourways so I managed to do it with a bit of cut pieces hidden under photos! All in all it worked out ok I think....

As always my photography is rubbish although I did learn some things on Paintshop Pro while sorting out the little ones!

National Scrapbooking Day yesterday

I had the great pleasure of joining in with Modscraps crop and great fun it was to! I am not very good at scrapping but who cares as long as it gives me pleasure! Not only that but we all have to start somewhere don't we! Some of the girls who go to Modscraps do produce some incredible work. If I thought that someday I may be half as good I would be happy! I have included a page I did finish but I am part way through another which I need to finish. What to take to a crop is still something I need to sort out as I never seem to have what I want when I go. Perhaps a little more forward thinking on my part would help but as I am so disorganised and lacking knowledge I have no idea what to do until I arrive - some day, Please God, I may break the cycle and actually know what I am intending to do so I can ensure I have the right equipment. For example I scan and print off photos I want to use but usually not until the morning I am going. Some of the girls there yesterday had hundreds of photos... it gave them some choice whereas I just had a couple and could only work with them. Not much help when we had surprise papers which really didn't go with my photos. Ah well it's ok as long as I enjoy myself! The page I have shown was done for one of yesterdays challenges which was to use a black background. The patterned paper was one I happened to have with me. Elisa is a very bubbly person and the spots texture on the background piece and patterned paper is representative of this. I was able to use the bubble alphabet to compliment it, thank you to the person who lent it to me!

Doesn't time fly!

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted! Things have changed a lot here at home... I am no longer working outside of it for a start. It was great fun to get out and about but it was making to big an impact on my own businesses so I took the decision to stop and oh boy am I glad I did! I now have time to do things at home and in our garden as well as the lure of the workshop. This is particularly true at the moment as I have taken delivery of my kiln!!! I am so excited about it and have booked some more classes to make sure I can carry out everything I want to do. I got the kiln from Sigrunn Kilns and can thoroughly recommend them. Karen there has been a real sweetie and her husband to! Thanks to them both for all the assistance!

Well I have participated in my first Twinchies swap on UKS run by Annaliese. I am not the best at altered art but do enjoy it and the swap was quite challenging as it involved making 20 Twinchies! Anyway I have put added some pictures of mine although goodness only knows what happened to the others... they seem to have disappeared!

Saturday Crop

I had a smashing time yesterday! I went to a crop hosted by Ellie of Modscraps and was made to feel very welcome by everyone. I was so unprepared for it, having been up most of the night with a dicky tummy form the take away we had on Friday night it is surprising I got anything done but I did manage with some help, thank you to those that put themselves out for me... I am really grateful! Some of the others there are so obviously talented it puts my efforts to shame, good job I know I have lots to learn!

I participated in the class held by Jane of Fiskarettes. We did 'flocking' and it was great fun, well the class was but we did make an awful mess I can tell you! Thank goodness we didn't have to clean up behind ourselves! I am really looking forward to the next class in May, wonder what the class will be in this time?

I have taken a photo of one of my layouts but can't find the photo for the other for the life of me so I have had to ask for another from my daughter so can't show you that layout just yet. Shame really as it is the flocked one... naive but pretty. As always my photography leaves a lot to be desired but this is the best I could do today. The card, both black and white is textured... it's all spotty and fabulous, there is a diamante buckle and the scroll is finished with Glamour dust... shame you can't see it all properly.

Well, I already know what tomorrow brings... tidying! I am the worst at making a mess when I am in my workroom, one day maybe I will learn not to do it, God willing!

Workshop or Studio?

That is the question... it is the place I work in and does contain my shop but someone called it my studio on Saturday and it does sound better doesn't it? We shall see... as long as no one calls it the shed I don't mind really! Been working hard in there this week as I have some more shelves and have been sorting things out to go on them and putting more stuff in the bin. I do try to be careful and use all my card, saving all the bits and pieces to use on another project but there always seems to be so very much of it I wonder if I should just throw it out and start again ... what a waste though and it is a sure thing that I would want it as soon as it's gone!

I had a wonderful day on Saturday, I went to a class in PMC. The tutor, Chris Pate of Touchmark Studios, is great and the others in the class were fun to be with to. I made the pendant and earrings shown in the photo. It is much prettier in real life but I am useless at photography and I find jewellery really hard to get good images of. It was a really fabulous day, we even had lunch together which consisted of homemade soup (2 choices) and homemade bread with a delicious chocolate tart and raspberries for dessert, yum yum! I enjoyed the day so much I really need to do some more. It takes me back to when I was able to make sugar flowers and will prove to be a great substitute for that art. We are now going as a group to do some soldering... mucky work and I didn't enjoy it at all last time but it is a necessary evil so do it I shall. Already knowing the others will make it more pleasurable and having Chris as my tutor this time will also help loads! Anyway, back to the point of this posting. I now have room for a kiln and other paraphernalia so I shall be saving hard to get one and can't wait to be making some more pieces. It is a fabulous feeling that I shall actually be creating something of my very own. Not only that but all the tools I have from sugarcrafting will work really well with this so I already have lots of equipment to hand. I just have a few things to buy so I really can think about purchasing the kiln. Now all I have to do is decide which one....

Fun day today

I really did have some fun in the workshop today, actually it makes a change for me as lately things have been really hectic.

My daughter has moved into a temporary house and I decided to make a card... I know it is only temporary but I think it might cheer her. She adores black so I made it plain... with a bit of glitter! (well you have to don't you!) The chandelier image is from Pink Petticoat, very pretty!

Again from the Pink Petticoat download I bought was the standard lamp. I used Laura Ashley paper available from the Paper and Lace shop for the background. It is a lovely paper and flocked to... just like wallpaper! I coloured the lampshade in with Sakura pens which will be available from Paper and Lace very soon!

Finally I made a card that I intended to be for Mother's Day but to be honest the one I put on the other day was the first I have made since I lost my Mum... don't really want to do them now and this is the first time since Mum went that hubby hasn't had to go buy one from a shop... shock horror! The pretty background paper is Smirk from my store and the flowers in a vase print was again from Pink Petticoat and was a freebie!

The best thing about a shop...

...is the chance to try out the new stock ... and I have! I made the fairy card using the new Smirk range. Lovely papers and embellishments... my biggest problem was in deciding which ones to use! The embellishment is from a pack and is a shaker one... lots of lovely beads encased in the frame which makes the fairies wins shimmer. The papers in the packs are really pretty to... oh decisions, decisions! I used the funky flowers to... a lovely screw top pot filled to the brim!

The other card was made using the Laura Ashley range. I mounted the paper on some of the velvet paper (also available on Paper 'n Lace). It is a beautiful burgundy velvet and goes so well with the flock paper I used from the pack. I think I made a mistake with the Laura Ashley embroidered brad (again from P&L) ... I should have gathered up the ribbon before putting it on but it's to late now... maybe next time! The little tag is also from the Laura Ashley range.

Finally!

I got to spend all day in the workshop today! It has been a nightmare time with all the computer trouble I have had so most of my time has been spent sorting that out. Losing one is bad enough but I think my bad luck went into overdrive when I lost 2! Anyway I managed to find a new one with XP on ... needed that as most of my programmes wouldn't go on Vista.

I tried something new today... foiling with a laser printer and I confess I am very happy with the results! It looks fabulous even though you can't see it photograph the flowers are foiled. You can check out the projects on The Crafty Computer Paper site for more information... well worth it I promise! I have taken some photos but as the glue was still wet the wording looks a little 'ripply' I just had to share the technique with you!. All in all a good day spent joyfully!

Great Day!

I was anticipating a great day in the workshop... lots of ideas and things to do but then I had a phone call. It was from a friend I haven't seen for so very long, well over 15 years! It turns out she has moved just up the road to me and she came for coffee. Not a good day work wise but it was fabulous to see her and we chatted for hours! So long in fact her husband rang to make sure she was ok... she was quick to tell him we had a lot to catch up on!
I do have lots I want to do though, I really must make my wedding stationery portfolio up and I am very excited about doing things towards that. I also have some lovely beads and things that I want to make up into all things pretty so I do have lots to get on with. I think tomorrow will be a 'work day' although not for myself so I won't get anything done then either... time is marching though so I really must apply myself! Time management was never my strongest point though. Oh er, bad girl aren't I?
Tonight I am going to make a start on my card site. It really needs some changes to be made and I think I have finally sorted out what I will do... but then again I might decide I prefer it as it is... time will tell!I do have the site on several computers now though so I can play and then discard if I don't like the final result, thank goodness!
Well it's off to put away the shopping now... great eh?!

Actually got something done!

Not a major item but at least I managed to finish something! Feeling worn out to be truthful... went to bed late and thought I would be able to sleep in... wrong! hubby overslept so I had to get up and make his packed lunch etc.... why is it never my turn to have the bed to myself?

It is cold in the workshop at the mo but plans are afoot to put in proper heating... can't wait for that! I gave up on my laptop as my main work computer there... I don't like Vista at all as my usual programmes and all my files won't work on it. Gave up trying to redo it all and have now put an old computer down there which is ok with them all. Will probably buy myself a new on for the house and put this one back. Shame really as this is a super duper one. Maybe it will be cheaper to buy XP?

I have been checking out online market places. Ebay is just so expensive now that I wonder if it is really viable. MISI is a great one, I have joined a created a shop on there, there are others to which allow you to sell your handmade items. I am hoping that this will be the way forward as Ebay has become so difficult for those of us who are small businesses. Check them out if you craft, it isn't expensive and is a good medium for selling your crafts on. MISI can be found at http://www.misi.co.uk/

Birth Day of the Birthday Book!

Well I managed to finish it. That being said I know I have made some mistakes, for example I should have put more rings in... I was going to after the event but decided as it's only for me it doesn't matter to much. Well I don't think so anyway lol.

I used some random card I had hanging about for the pages and used Daisy Bucket Designs paper Whimsical Ladies 'Royal Court' available from my store for the cover. The mount board I used was the right colour for the paper so I just stuck that to the front and used the purple for the inside. To finish it off I used an ink pad to colour the card edges. Well I am pleased with it anyway especially for a first attempt! Love the Bind-it-all though! Great aren't they!!! Can't wait to make my next book so watch this space!!!

I made some new Cards!

It has been a hard slog trying to get back to normal since December when I was laid up for 3 weeks but I am getting back into the swing! I made some cards yesterday using my own toppers. About time to, to be honest! Whilst not as creative as I wanted to be (I have 'lost' some of my paper... probably from when I sorted the workshop out) at least it is something. I have no idea what I shall make today but there we go, at least I will have fun trying! Maybe I will even find that paper! I even managed to update my sites in the last couple of days which is a miracle as I haven't done anything to either for such a long time now. All I need to get now is some inspiration.... anyone know where I can buy it from???