For Blogs Sake

With Love

2012-02-12T03:46:00.000-08:00

Well I have eventually made it back into blogland - words like tweek, hack and bloggering blogger have passed my lips but we are back on track and this is the week of love.... I was hopping around this virtual world and decided to venture into the world of challenges so for this week I have joined in with Nikki @ PolkaDoodles for the digi stamp challenge which you can get here. The image was coloured in with copics and in homage of the polka doodler herself I have used red spotty card stock teamed with black. Why not join in the fun!

Collaged Effects

2011-11-16T23:10:00.000-08:00

Hi there
These cards are put together with stamped elements from the Urban stamp collection currently on offer. They were inspired by Beckie Dreyer's Creativity magazine contribution.

For your info there will be a cricut playday @ Sedefield on Friday 18th Nov - bring your machines and paper stash for some cricut adventures.

TFL

Annette x

Just A Few Cards

2011-10-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

This 'blog;'lark is turning out a bit like the weather - you don't know what you're going to get from one day to the next. The blog monster finally decided to let me post my blog!

I've been busy with a number of Docraft Demos and have been enjoying demonstrating more locally in Newcastle and Stockton. I'm even home to watch Strictly Come Dancing - never heard of in the past. I have met some lovely crafters, and some with a more excitable temperament! You know who you are. The classes at Darlington have been busy and you have produced some amazing results from virgin cardmakers.

TFL

Annette x

There's never a dull moment....

2011-09-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

That's right, there's never a dull moment in our house. This evening the living room has been transformed for a photographic shoot - Mike is having some photography done for Christmas promo for his magic and I have just spent 20 minutes dressing a puppet with christmas antlers and hat. It's certainly keeping the teenagers entertained.
The dog is insisting that she be in shot and has just spent 5 mins barking at the flash.

This is always a busy time of year and I spent last weekend demonstrating the new DoCrafts products at Darlington and over at The Range at Carlisle.

This weekend is the Harrogate PaperCrafts Show and I'll be working with the lovely Barbara Gray of Clarity Stamp so do pop by and say hello.

We had a fantastic Cricut Class at The Art Shop, Darlington this week and we got to play with the newly released Flower Shoppe cartridge. This is a must for any flower lover as it creates 3d flowers with endless possibilities. I cut these from some Prima papers and attached them onto a canvas spritzed with cosmic mists.

There will be more Cricut at Sedgefield Village Hall on Friday 30th Sept, 10 - 3pm if anyone is interested then leave a comment and I'll getb back to you.

Before then there will be some new additions to the demonstration locations - I'll be at Dobbies, Ponteland on Sat 17th Sept and at Collectables, Portrack Lane Stockton on Sat 24th Sept....... to be continued

TFL

Annette x

The Holiday Is Nearly Over

2011-08-27T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hopefully I found the right cards for you Debbie!!

I say nearly cos we've still got well over a week left to continue doing those things which we spend so much time putting off completing. We have just had a fantastic family holiday down in Cornwall - sunny days spent kite flying on the beach, lazy evenings chatting with friends and enjoying spending time with each other. I just love wandering around those arty shops and spaces - places that make you think and watch the world go by.

One place which got me thinking seriously was The Lost Gardens of Heligan - I should have took more notice at the ticket office when they gave me a compass and then again I thought that the clue was in the title 'The LOST Gardens of Heligan' I tell you that garden just blew me away - that sense of self sufficiency, the colours and hues of flowers, foliage, insects and wildlife was amazing. I just love those feelings that only a garden can create. When I came too from my revealry I found out why they give you a compass on the way in!!! But we won't say any more on that matter.

September is almost upon us and my self imposed blog holiday is almost at an end so we should see a little more action on here as the diary is full of events and workshops.

One of the new ideas we are putting into action is that we are moving the Cricuteers to the Parish Hall in Sedgefield where crafters are welcome to join us for our inaugural meet on Friday 30th Sept 10 - 3pm. We will be doing our own projects with a couple of masterclasses thrown in during the day. Cost is £5.00 to cover hall hire, refreshments and some materials for a cricut masterclass. You will need to bring your own packed lunch - or you can pop to the shops for a snack. Don't worry if you don't have a cricut machine you can still join in the fun. We will let you play. If you need to know any more details you can always leave a comment and I'll get back to you.
Thanks for stopping by

Annette

Time for Tea and Cake

2011-07-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to beat myself up about the lack of posting but rather focus on the positive life experiences I've been working on...
Since I last signed in I've been to Bornemouth for a couple of days. I spent a lovely afternoon sitting by the sea in full sunshine, watching life go by.... followed by a cup of english tea and chat... I was actually attending a conference down there with DoCrafts............ we spent a great time meeting guests from the USA - Cousins jewellery. I also met the lovely jewellery designer Debbie Kershaw who has a lovely necklace and ring published in the latest Creativity magazine.
From there I went to Burnley to do a Ranger Demo at The Craft Range. We spent time playing with configuration boxes and printers trays. A great day was had by all - A special Thankyou goes to Debbie and Janet for the superb organisation on the day. I have to say getting to Burnley proved more difficult as I found myself diverted over Ilkley Moor.... now I can hear you all singing the song......
The classes at Darlington have continued to grow - so much that we now have a morning and an afternoon class. Booking is essential but we have created more space so if anyone wants to join in please contact The Art Shop in Darlington.
My DD and I have been attending a fused glass evening class. We have had so much fun learning together. My DD took great delight in seeing her mum struggle to cut the glass. We have enjoyed going back the following week to see what creations have come out of the kiln - I wont tell you how impressed I was with her designs!! Life is all about learning new skills.
The photo of my 'cake' is one I made for a Demonstrator Challenge. At present it is the only image that will upload.... will try later.

Enjoy and TFL

Annette

How many miles ??!!!!

2011-06-08T02:00:00.000-07:00

Ladies this is the viewfinder card worked on an 8x8 card base!!!

I didn't dare look when the 'Service' light flashed at me from the dashboard. Then I thought Bristol.... Kent..... Nottingham..... Cumbria (3 weeks running).... perhaps the car could do with a day off.

It's been a busy time since I last posted we have had cricut workshops, creativity masterclasses and ranger days galore. I've enjoyed every minute although not sure about the one poor lady who we discovered was suffering from a new disease named 'cartridge envy' as by the end of the cricut class had 8 cartridges in her shopping basket!

Next weekend I'm demonstrating at The Craft Range in Burnley. They are having 'A Grand Demo Day' with Judith Brewer from Woodware, Rosemary Merry, Jane Gill, Clare Rowlands who designs the Molly Bloom Stamps and myself focusing on Ranger Configuration Boxes and Printers Trays. It should be 'A Grand Day Out.' They do have a coffee shop for those travelling and wanting to spend the day watching demos.

I'll leave you with a small selection of some of the projects that have been keeping me out of mischief!

Mirror In The Garden

2011-05-04T00:37:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this weather just bring out the best in a spring garden - especially those lovely sunny yellow flowers, my garden is packed to the brim. Oh did someone say they are dandelions - oh well!

This is a melt pot mirror I made a while back with some of those delectable
Graphic 45 steampunk papers,faux porcelain flowers and wax seals.

The real story behind the photograph is reflected in the mirror. As soon as the camera came out the dog made its way to it's top posing point in the garden, bathed herself in the morning sunshine and gave a single 'woof' to say 'I'm ready' so the shot had to be taken. Gorgeous or what. I can't bring myself to tell her that she has an appointment at the grooming parlour next week!!

Enjoy you day

Annette

Playing Catch Up...

2011-04-26T02:09:00.000-07:00

Life can sometimes catch you unawares and I was surprised when looking in my diary that May will soon be upon us - not wishing the days away I managed to clear the diary and have a whole week to myself to play with some new stash. I'm also eagerly awaiting a new workshop which is to be sited in the garden, so Ive been told that I must be brave and enter the current den - however, like Indianna Jones, you may only enter with a rope tied around the waist. I'll let you know how I get on. Meanwhile I have some new paints from Art From The Heart that have been shouting and screaming at me for a couple of weeks.

I spent a lovely Easter Saturday demonstrating at Rubber Stamp World in Lancaster. We had a busy old day playing with the Grand Calibre and spellbinder dies. Thankyou for your hospitality. As promised - some of the photos have been posted. The stamps are from Dark Room Door - all available from Rubber Stamp World in Lancaster.

For those ladies who are interested I have a Cricut Class @ The Art Shop in Darlington on Tues May 3rd 6-8pm and a second Cricut Class @ The Scrapbook Shop, Langley Moor on Friday 6th May 10 -12. All are welcome. Hope to see you soon
Off to find the cramp ons and enter the den!!

Annette x

New Addition To The Family

2011-03-15T01:09:00.000-07:00

Well those words certainly grabbed my family's attention on Sunday afternoon when we arrived home with two new fish for the tank. It would appear that they have been christened 'Fish and Chips' and that they have settled in well to their new abode.
To answer your question Jill the lady is from a Graphic 45 paper and she is about 9" tall and has been transfered onto sticky canvas and then attached to the caanvas board.

As promised I have a few spellbinder samples from a demo I did at Crafts 4 U 2 Do, St Helens last week. Greetings ladies - it was absolutely lovely to meet you all and get to know ALL about you and your crafting habits. I hope to get to meet you all again.

I used American Crafts card and Dark Room Door Stamps - these are a bit yummy as they are presented in a silver tin shouting to altered.

TFL

Annette

A Grand Day Out

2011-03-09T03:30:00.000-08:00

Well it was lovely to meet so many lovely customers @ The Art Shop in Darlington on Saturday - sorry if you arrived and it was a wee bit busy, hopefully you all found the stash you were looking for. I had a lovely day and came home with inky fingers and sporting glitter in all manor of places.

On Monday I had an opportunity to play with the Grand Calibre and put it through it's paces prior to a demo in St Helens @ Crafts 4 U 2 Do on Thursday. I have to say I have been suitably impressed with the sturdiness of the machine and it's large platform is a dream to work with. Some ladies got to play with Grand Calibre at a workshop on Tuesday in Darlington - some liked others preferred the cuttlebug. I shall upload the samples after Thursday's demo.

So this morning I have prepped Saturday's Sticky Canvas workshop @ The Scrapbook Shop. This is a repeat of a previous class I held there in November but I have prepped another canvas as they are so addictive and I just had some new 'stash' looking for a place to be viewed on my little display shelf.I think there are only a couple of spaces avaiable - looking forward to seeing you there.

TFL

Annette

Where's Wally?

2011-02-25T00:59:00.000-08:00

You know you spend hours with your kids in Waterstone's looking at the 'Where's Wally' books - the guy in the red and white stripy top. You know the intention is to look for him but you become distracted by the goings on in the crowd. Life has been somewhat distracting this month - new products and stash to play with that I can't show you 'yet' and meeting up with friends again at a recent cricut class was great. Seeing familiar faces at demos and catching up with some work colleagues at Birmingham this week combined with school half term has added to the crowded chaos of life. Saying that I would not have it any other way.
I have a melt pot class this weekend @ The Scrapbook Shop, Langley Moor, Durham and on Sunday I shall be popping over to Nissan - and for those who want to find me I won't be wearing a red and white stripy top!!!! Instead I'll leave you with a parrot.

You wouldn't Adam and Eve it.....

2011-02-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

if I was to say that I've been trying to access this blog for weeks would you believe it - no me neither but I've been locked out, the laptop has been shouted at and the ability to upload a photo - well just don't go there.
Anyway we'll press on and see how far we get......
Happy New Year
Did you have a good Christmas??????
January was a busy month for me with some sample work, demonstrations and workshops and then I spent a very happy birthday at The Black Sheep Brewery in Masham - a lovely day out if your in the area.

I'm now going to try and post a few things I've been playing with this month

well it let me upload one - I will not be beaten

I'll be back

There and Back Again To see How Far It Was !!!

2010-10-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

A bit of a short post as life has been rather hectic in our household. I have driven over 1000 miles in the past couple of weeks doing workshops and demonstrations. All of which has been great fun and I have met some genuinely interesting people. I have also had a request to go to Barcelona - but we will have to think about that one!!
I'm looking forward to spending some time in my own craft space doing something for myself. Till then I'll leave you with some 'beginner's cards' from a recent christmas demo

TFL
Annette

SORRRY NO PHOTOS YET BLOGGER IS NOT PLAYING BALL gggrrrrrr

Things That Go Bump In The Night!!

2010-09-17T08:12:00.001-07:00

Yesterday it was our daughter's birthday and we had a party at home. For those that know, my husband is a magician and he spent the afternoon turning the home into a wonderland of fairy lights and balloons for his daughter.
We spent a lovely evening celebrating but spent the night looking for something going BUMP in the night as our mad cairn terrorist dog just kept barking, AND BARKING. Normally she is so good and got up several times through the night to see what or who the problem was. It was only when my daughter removed the balloons from the corner of the room at 7.45 this morning, we realised that the helium balloons must have been moving about and falling to the floor throughout the night. That's what the dog had been barking at.

I'm looking forward to a quiet night tonight!

Annette

BOO!!

2010-09-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Elusive Images Design Team are having a bit of a Blog Hop this week and have been using the newly released Halloween Stamps. I made a little simple canvas that I shall use to hang on the door to our cave when we have our Brownie Halloween Bash in October. I also know that some of the DT ladies have blog candy to giveaway so go hunt it down and say Boo to some of the crew....

With One Sheet of Paper

2010-08-30T01:35:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that anyone could supply a sheet of paper with sssooooooo many colour ways that it allowed you to create a card without the need to hunt through the rest of your stash for that perfect matching piece of paper. To be fair any of the gorgeous Artylicious CD's will give you that finish and they are available here.
The letters were cut using a cuttlebug alphabet and the finishing ribbons were again from Graphicus.

Looking forward to meeting all those going to the Crafters Paradise Retreat on Friday - Excitement Building yet???!!!

Happy Stamping
Annette

Cackles, Coverns and Craft....

2010-08-12T00:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know what the weather has been like where you are but for the past two days we have been sporting fleeces and feeling that autumnal evening chill. Still no time for discussing the weather - this weekend is going to be a busy one as Graphicus are having the Open Days on Friday and Saturday. I've been up to the shop this week and there are some new 'GORGEOUS GOODIES' to temp you. I did spy some rather lovely prima flowers and thought immediately of a use for them. There will be demonstrations all weekend - Glenda, Lynne, Judith, Lesley and myself and Jean Hardy from Crafty Individuals will be there on Saturday. I did hear 'Halloween' mentioned - cackles, coverns and craft - will we ever live that down! Anyway it would be lovely to see you there.

Take Care

Annette

Secrets of The Deep

2010-08-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

We saw this life sculpture on a recent trip to The Baltic with my Brownies. I have to say I was impressed at her ability to crowd control using only her eyes. The Mermaid also started a new trend in an old game of 'statues' - amazing how those traditional games keep making a comeback. Anyway the costume and make up were amazing and the quote of the night had to be from one of my Brownies who asked a silent mermaid 'can you get eyeshadow like that at Boots?' The silence of the Mermaid said it all.

In homage to the Mermaid I made this card from an A5 themeplate from Elusive Images called 'Mermaid Queen'

She was stamped with Memento Paris Dusk and coloured in with a selection of copic colours. Glamour Dust and distress stickles added the sparkle and some rock candy crackle added a little dimension to the sea floor. She does have two other themeplate friends and I'm hoping to post something from them soon.

Happy Stamping

Annette

Meet Robin Hood - minus the tights !!!!

2010-07-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

As a special thank you to those ladies who shared in a very raucous Altered Book Workshop at Graphicus last Friday I found this photo of the Infamous Robin Hood. Apparently the tights caused some degree of friction (on the knee) and had to be replaced with trousers. Also (according to Robin Hood) it is difficult to keep magic tricks in tights. There was and is absolutely no
comment(s) that can be made. No doubt Hinge and Brackett M.B.E. may have something to add.

On a different note - it's been announced - the new Elusive Images Design Team have responded to the call and new members have been found. If you click on the logo at the side you can visit their blogs and say hello.

Happy Crafting

Time shall not be my master

2010-07-19T22:58:00.000-07:00

In our house there have been so many comings and goings over recent weeks that I think I have caught myself coming back several times. I have been enjoying activity weeks in schools, visited The Baltic with 2,800 Brownies, Guides and Rainbows to celebrate the Centenary, and prepped for workshops and classes.

Mike and I have been like ships that pass in the fog - not seeing each other for any length of time makes you realise how much you enjoy those brief 'coffee break' moments.

On the crafting front I have decided to think of our house as living, evolving sculpture / work of art. Seeking to find beauty in chaos - Charlotte has become addicted to copic markers and has 'large' projects on the go which cannot be moved under any circumstance. Nathan seems to have become the voice of Piccasso and I found some interesting art work - everything drawn within circles which has given him some artistic confidence in his abilities.

I do have lots of bits and pieces to show for my efforts but will leave you with a card from my favourite plate of stamps at the moment.

The stamp is from Patchwork Butterfly - A4 theme plate available here. The background is crushed olive distress inked white card which was then cuttlebugged and those Martha Stewart Punch around the Page sets are fantastic.

Enjoy the wet weather - believe that the sun will come out tomorrow!
Annette

It Looks Like the Eiffel Tower....

2010-05-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

That was yesterday's response when my son got to see the amazing work of the surgeon who has spent the past three weeks reconstructing his arm after he had a bicycle accident. He is now sporting plates, screws and wire and the arm is healing but it does remind you of the Eiffel Tower.

For me crafting has had to take a bit of a back seat - although my ideas book is filled with things to get my teeth into once we are back to some normality. I have become a scribe as DS cannot write - We have been working on a Shakespeare project, putting together a 16th Centuary Tour Guide for The Globe Theatre. I have been slightly distracted having spent an evening cutting and gluing a model globe theatre together. Then I find I have become slightly obsessed researching theatre costumes and have found some inspiring patterns and colourways from fabric designs - again they have gone into my ideas book... more importantly after helping with some maths homework I ( thirty years later ) understand the concept of using brackets with numbers!!

On a different note the Dog At War is still on guard duty and has successfully seen off the jackdaws. The unrepentant birds have taken to low level fly pasts and dive bombing. Up on the roof a second family of sparrows have moved in and are to be found sitting in judgement on the guttering - totally unaware of the 'no fly' zone the dog has put around the garden...to be continued

Annette

Design Team Call

2010-05-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Have a good look here it comes highly recommended !!!

They will be happy to answer any questions.

Annette

Birds on the Roof

2010-05-13T07:16:00.000-07:00

In true 'spring watch' fashion we have been making sure that the bird feeder in the garden is well supplied with sunflower seeds, fat balls etc. Yesterday, the jackdaws paid a visit and amazingly worked out how to lift the bag of peanuts off the hanger and fly off with them. The dog, it would seem, has taken this as a declaration of war and has now taken up guard duty under the bird feeder - much to the disgust of the blue tits. These birds are now annoying the dog by sitting in the tree happiliy chirping..... and the jackdaws have taken up residence on the roof to the greater annoyance of the dog...... it could be a long summer here !!!

Meanwhile indoors I managed to play with a few bits and pieces. I used Clarity stamps, Wild Honey / Rusty Hinge distress inks - all available from Graphicus

Where does the time go...

2010-04-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

It's only been about six weeks since I last blogged but I cannot believe all the things I have accomplished..............
travelled to Harrogate
travelled to Kent
travelled to Birmingham NEC
workshops in Barnard Castle, Consett, Carlisle
travelled to Manchester
flew to the Dominican Republic
sailed to Tortola - my most favourite place in the world to date
sailed to Antigua
sailed to Dominica
sailed to St Lucia and boarded a pirate vessel
sailed to Jamaica
sailed to Barbados
sailed 2,631 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean
flew home to be greeted by my husband and son bearing gifts at the airport - they had made a cricut sign with my name on just in case I had forgotten my name.
I have met some amazing people with stories to tell, made new friends and spent too much time laughing. It is easier to laugh when the sun shines!! Hope the sun is shining for you.

Back into the techno era - at last

2010-02-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

How exciting - this is my first opportunity to play with my lovely new lap top that arrived last week but with working at Stitches, Birmingham and the opportunity to demo Crafty Individuals products at Pins & Needles, Newcastle I haven't had time to give it an outing. So here goes....
It was lovely chatting to you all at Newcastle - Jo wanted to know if we actually got any crafting done at our workshops after she spoke with you all !!! You know who you are Jackie! (lol)
Here are a small selection of crafty individual samples

Get those crafty fingers working this week!

TFL

Annette

The Rumours Are True

2010-02-04T03:43:00.000-08:00

GRAPHICUS ARE HAVING AN IN SHOP SALE

No pictures....But...

2010-02-02T06:33:00.000-08:00

Once again there is nothing to 'show' and it may have been a bit quiet but honestly I have been busy - those ladies who came to the cricut workshop at Graphicus will have seen some of the more recent projects - I appear to have an addiction to all things in a frame. I found some gorgeous pine 16 x 16 frames and have been challenged into using them to create some wall art.
Another new addiction is vinyl - I now have some lovely owls watching over us from the kitchen window in assorted sizes.
I have to say that I actually do very little crafting for myself so this year I have commissioned myself to making some 'arty stuff' for me.
My newest addition is a melt pot - a birthday present from my DH at the weekend - so far only one burnt finger!! the dog barked as I was concentrating and made me jump!!
Take Care
Annette

Welcome To The Ice Age

2010-01-08T03:53:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it one day you are in temperatures averaging 94 and the next it's -7 at Gatwick. I have to confess that since I came home I haven't seen any 'green' just white, white and more white. Amazingly though I do like the way everyone's garden looks as good as mine!! Also I have seen some stunning icicles hanging from churches, homes and sheds. They do look lovely twinkling in the sunshine. The caribbean was as good as last time and this time we painted the masks with the Viva pearlescent paint and they looked fantastic under the lights with feathers flowing and gems sparking.
I now have to get back into work mode and have been busy prepping for the cuttlebug and cricut classes next week at Graphicus - looking forward to seeing you all there.
TFL
Annette

Wooo I'm Going to Barbados

2009-12-14T15:10:00.000-08:00

Yes here we are after having sailed across the mighty Atlantic Ocean set to arrive in Barbados tomorrow morning.
We have been busy socialising, testing cocktails and watching the tropical sunsets over the atlantic. Alongside this we have been running the mask making sessions on board which have proved very popular once again. It culminates tonight in the Masquerade Ball and I have to admit the creativity on board has been fantastic.
It's hard to think about Christmas!!

I would attemp to share a sunset with you but the ship's satelite is proving a little temperamental at times.

Wooo I'm going to Barbados

FlutterButter !!

2009-12-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

Where do they dream up the names for paper collections? This paper range comes from BoBunny and was part of my demo @ The Heart of Craft in Carlisle. What an amazing drive over I had early Saturday morning. It's going to sound 'mad' but I was in awe of the huge, vast skies we have up here. They were just amazing and inspiring.

This week I have had a different challenge - trying to make my DH a birthday card - everytime I collect the pieces together he appears - now I know that he is a magician but he can't be that good can he?? I'm hoping to do a 'man' version of that Paradise Retreat shrine everyone else got to play with !! Any excuse to get that glass bead gel, soft gel medium and develop the grey matter is fine with me

now who mentioned Christmas Cards......

Enjoy the day

Good Old St Nick

2009-11-25T00:20:00.000-08:00

AAAARRRRHHHHHH my son has just come in from school and told me how many days to Christmas ..... and after he picked me up off the floor, and told me the Christmas PANIC set in. No christmas cards made (SHOCK) no presents bought (HORROR) and loads of washing and packing to do for my Carribbean trip this week (GASP)and to top it off it's snowing. C'est la vie!!!

If anyone has bought the BoBunny Christmas papers from Graphicus then here is a christmas book made using the papers. The swirls are off a combo sheet which has the alphabet, swirls and boarders on. I've also got one or two things prepped for the Graphicus Open Weekend 4th and 5th December. it would be lovely to see you there.

The book isn't finished yet as I shall be putting a selection of this year's christmas mug shots in - always like a little something to do when the tinsel has been put away!!!

TFL
Annette

To Paradise and back via Birmingham

2009-11-16T03:48:00.000-08:00

I can't believe the last time I posted I was knee deep in pumpkin - November has been a whirlwind month. The NEC hobby crafts show was busy - hello to all you lovely crafters I met while working on the Clarity stand. Barbara is back on screen this Sunday I believe.
Today there will be ladies all over the country recovering from the Graphicus Paradise Weekend Retreat... stitching, inking, stamping, talking, laughing, learning, painting, cutting, punching, and CRAFTING. You will notice there was no mention of sleeping. It was lovely to meet you all and a special thank you to my table of 'professionals' who were absolutly delightful to work with - here's to the next one.

TFS

Annette

Boo !!

2009-10-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

This week is half term so the kids have been 'helping' cut things out with the cricut. This 'little' offering was made on the Create using Don Juan and Paper Dolls and dangles a mere 47". The papers are from BoBunny and cut fabulously on the cricut. What I didn't know was that my little darlings had used some flurescent paint so the ghosts glow in the dark. I won't tell you how I found that out but it involves a dark bathroom
You wait till halloween!!!

Clear as Clarity

2009-10-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

Well here are a few samples that I made using a selection of Clarity Stamps, Big and Juicy ink pads - hydrangea, mountain meadow and waterfall and some silk coated artboard. The fusible fibres are so addictive to play with and have now become an essential piece of kit. I have joined a circle journal group and the first title to come my way is 'Colour My World.' I think these fusible fibres may have just made their way into the book.

Have Fun

Annette

How to Make An Entrance...

2009-09-30T00:49:00.001-07:00

Well the saga contines. The laptop is back working but I'm still working on a photo file that continues to have us beat. However, we will overcome.

On Sunday the family went to Church. As we walked up the path we thought - funny no one else about. In we walked only to find out that the service had started at 10.30 so we had arrived 5 mins late. Nevermind in we went, trying not to be seen but being watched by what feels like hundreds of pairs of eyes. We joined in the end of the song and went to sit down. Suddenly there was an almighty crash, I thought that Noah had brought his boat back as my feet, handbag and kneeler were soaking wet. The huge flower arrangement and shelf had come crashing down and yes those hundreds of pairs of eyes were looking at us. My son was stood holding a wet droopy flower in his hand thinking what do I do with this and my daughter, aged 14 and thinking how uncool is this said "It's good to know we provide the comedy" followed by the man in front turning and saying - well you've made an entrance. We did help clear up!

On Monday my Uncle wasn't feeling too good and the Doctor came to do a home visit. As the doctor poked and prodded my Uncle's abdomen and chest he was asking "Does that hurt?" My Uncle groaned " I can't feel any pain cos you're standing on my toes" Well my Auntie had to leave as she was falling around the floor laughing and my Uncle now has a sore toe in addition to feeling under the weather.

Tuesday was a quiet day!

Not for the faint hearted - part 1!!

2009-09-18T21:52:00.000-07:00

Isn't life full of complications - firstly the computer decided to take up smoking - a filthy habit. No really smoke billowing from the back....Well she has been given a patch and is now back on line thanks to the support of one of Mike's driving pupils. It has cost me all of my photo files which I have sitting beside me with no idea, as yet, how to upload them but I'm learning.
This week I have also learned a couple of street dance moves from my son - I was told it was Dance homework so in my endeavours to support him I braved the look from my daughter that said 'Mum, you're so embarrassing'and set to the challenge. I was told that Strictly Come Dancing wasn't ready for me yet!
In a bid to make a comeback I took her on at Wii tennis and yes there is a God I won! That win took me to the top of the leader board and there is only one place to go from there - down!!!
One of the features of the patched computer is that it will only sign on for 20 minutes and then needs a rest so it's roger, over and out and part 2 later for the photos

Annette

'Oh it's good to be young and daring'

2009-08-31T21:12:00.001-07:00

What a Bank Holiday - possibly the best yet - Mike & I went to Scone Palace to see Runrig. I have seen the band play several times before but there is something amazing listening to them play in their home country.
We met some real characters from the Isle of Aaron and Skye who we shared early morning whisky drinking experiences with to the full... thank you Guys and lassies for the introduction to the Peat Bog Faeries, scottish pipes, bugles and daring living - see you next time.

Now back to the day job... the colours in the scottish hills were inspirational and yesterday I set to putting some things together for the Graphicus Open Days this coming weekend .... ssshhh I may put a couple of sneek peeks on here later in the week.

The cards I had hoped to post here have mysteriously disappeared but I will leave you with a real warm and fuzzy... this week we had a new addition to the wider family .... meet Phoebe.

Happy Stamping and thanks for stopping by

Annette

Meet the Clangers and some Christmas Clarity

2009-08-17T00:43:00.000-07:00

A few bits from a recent Clarity Stamp Show - I used some lovely K & Co Christmas papers that were a purchase from Graphicus. The images were stamped with a selection of Memento Inks which if you haven't tried yet you may find have a compulsory purchase order on them (also available from Graphicus).

As an aside if anyone is planning a trip to Barnard Castle I would recommend a visit to The Bowes Museum. They have a fantastic exhibition of the history of children's tv complete with puppets, drawings and stage sets. My day was complete when I met The Clangers, the Soup Dragon and even a Magical Boat - you may well remember the one that sailed across the sky with the musical notes twirling. I went with a friend and our children told us to behave! Can you believe that. Other favorites who are there include Ivor The Engine, Muffin The Mule, Andy Pandy, Paddington Bear - we did hunt for Aunt Lucy but discovered she was away on holiday as the damp weather was getting to her a bit. There are more recent additions as well - go for a trip down memory lane. Since coming home I have emptied my stamp collection looking for a Paddington Bear stamp I purchased years ago - put it this way the hunt is still on.

For today's adventure we are off to be taught Archery!! It's fun being a Mum!

Enjoy your day

I just love days like these!!

2009-08-05T01:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone entering our home may think that they have entered a surreal world - over the past week of the summer holidays we have become entrenched in a feast of creativity - our son has a full size drum kit in his bedroom and his recent exam success and trip to a music festival has kinda gotten under his skin and every waking moment is spent beating out new rhythms - the boy is growing up, ear protectors hide ipod grooves!( his bedroom is towards the back of the house so our sanity is safe). The other sibling is to be found with her head in reading matter or drawing. Long live the simple drawing pencil and paper. She has produced some fantastic drawings. She did ask before setting about sketching in her bedroom wall - that's what I told her dad anyway. We have since had to engage in 'conversation' regarding painting on walls!! And because the kids have been so engaged I was able to complete the stampboard canvas I started as part of Glenda's Mixed Media Class back in April. The process of playing is totally addictive and I'm so glad I bought the Golden pots of stuff as I have another on the go - inspired by an anniversary trip to Alnwick where we visited Barter Books - a must for any muse

Happy Stamping

Red Currant Glory ..To Decorate or Not To Decorate

2009-07-16T05:31:00.000-07:00

Why oh why can't decorating a room be like cardmaking - I mean the principles are similar. You start with a blank canvas, select your colour theme, collect your stash and you find yourself lost in a creative buzz - oh I wish. I've spent three days sorting out a mess created by my soulmate, friend and husband when he took a deco rail off the wall and pulled half the wall with it!! Now I have a beautiful feature wall in Red Currant Glory and a garden with red currant glory painted grass as the dog seems to think the paint brush is a rabbit whomping exercise and a painter and decorator coming to finish the job!!

Anyway I haven't had anything to post for a while as everything I've been making has had to be kept under wraps. Here are a couple of Cricut cards, one I made for my Auntie's Whirlwind Wedding last week and the second was something I put together for a recent Cricut Class at Graphicus

Messing About With Some New Designs

2009-06-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

If you have a wander over to the Elusive Images Design Team Blog you will see that there have been some new additions to their stamp collection. The images and word themeplates will provide plenty of inspiration for the men in our lives and inspire you to play with all your crafty stash.
I'm putting together a collection using the stamps and Making Memories Slice for the Graphicus Open Days (3rd and 4th July) and have to say I'm having fun playing with this funtastic little machine while watching some fantastic tennis.

Looking forward to seeing you ladies at the Cricut Workshop on Saturday!

Happy Stamping

Clarity Designs

2009-06-10T01:35:00.000-07:00

Here are a few samples using stamps from the Clarity Stamp range. The images will work well for many occasions and are a collection you will not become easily bored with as they do have plenty of design scope possibilities. I also like the fact that it is a British Stamp manufacturer. Must be feeling a bit patriotic this morning!!

The first card was stamped in chalk inks and matted onto card. The text was stamped onto white card and the words cut up and mounted into foam pads for a different look.

The second card was created using paler colour stamped foilage in the background and bringing the same images to the foreground using a darker shade of ink. The focal trees were stamped onto a brayered background and grounded using the moon shadow stamp as a grassy shadow.

The third sample had the trees stamped onto white card using an archival ink. Allow this to dry and then spritz with harvest orange glimmer mist. I then sprinkled sea salt onto the card and set aside to dry. The text was stamped onto torn gold vellum, rolled and attached to card with brads.

Have a stamping good day !!

Green Shoots......!!!!

2009-06-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing what a few drops of rain can do to your garden - this morning I sat by the open door listening and watching the rain splashing and dripping from the leaves when right in front of my eyes a dwarf green bean plant decided to unfurl it's tightly fastened green leaf. The water dropped on to it and it sat there in a glassy pool. I thought this moment has to be scrapped so I went to find the camera - the moment of nature talking to the rain was over as the dog virtually knocked me over in an attempt to chase a harassed looking neighbour's cat. In the rush the dog dislodged the water droplet and the moment was gone ! Funny how it was only then that I noticed how high the grass had grown overnight!!!

And to think butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.....

Green Fingers

2009-05-26T09:10:00.000-07:00

With the Bank Holiday yesterday and the sun shining we thought we would try and bring some order to the flower beds and vegetable patch. The little seeds are doing really well in the nursery - apart from when the dog decides to help dig. We couldn't believe the size of the hole we found she had dug at the back of one of the beds!! So my challenge this week is to scrap a page with a the green fingered dog as the centre of attention.

The card was made using some cricut flowers and scrolls from Accent Essentials cartridge with some of those fine detailed birds from the new Graphicus stamp sets.

If you look carefully at the photograph you will see that the card is laid on top of one of the papers designed by my artistic friend Lesley I believe it is available as a free download so pop over and take a peek!

I'll leave you with a scene from a recent trip to Barbados

- it's a take on a version of a House Boat

Raspberry Ripple

2009-05-16T23:38:00.001-07:00

Sorry but it's not an ice-cream recipe but the name given to the demonstration by Bramwells. They have put together a selection of K & Co papers with a range of stamps from Inkadinkado. Here are a small selection of samples.

Enjoy your day

Annette

18 Days, 18 Time Zones and a Grand Masquerade Ball

2009-05-07T23:19:00.000-07:00

Yes that's what Mike and I have been up to over the past few weeks. We spent part of the time in the Caribbean, followed by 6 days crossing the Atlantic which for me was the most exciting part. We sailed away surrounded by glassy blue seas, watched flying fish, whales and dolphins and saw blank beauty - sea and sky. We rounded our time off sailing in the Med. I did spend some time working - honest!
There was plenty of inspiration and I found myself enjoying writing. I'm hoping to include some of those musings in a canvas I've got planned. I was also totally transfixed by the work of Gaudi. After spending time with a guy in Barcelona who was a Gaudi groupee I found my brain ticking over about the genius of the man- staggering - I came home with scrap pages laid out in my mind with hints of Gaudi thrown in. All I need now is some time to get lost in my own thoughts!!!
I shall leave you with a sample I made recently ... stamps are available from Graphicus

Mixed Media

2009-04-16T23:48:00.001-07:00

For the past couple of weeks I've been engaged in the mixed media classes at Graphicus and I came home yesterday with my mind in overdrive with little projects I want to play with. The creative energy flowing round the room couldn't be contained. FANTASTIC and for those booked on the one day class next week you're going to have ssssoooo much fun. I shall post my projects once finished and believe you me these will not get left to one side!!!

Take Time...

2009-04-07T00:03:00.000-07:00

Had a fab conversation with a lady this week who was talking about how relaxing her new found hobby was... she had started making cards and had become so absorbed in what she was doing because she wanted to take her time, that she forgot to cook her husband's tea .... and so the conversation continued. This lady was so right - in the everyday business of life we rush around just so we can have time to do the things we enjoy. So this morning with duster and polish in hand I set about with a flurry of cleaning activity - even the dog was bemused - so I can now spend the day doing things I like!!
I'll leave you with a couple of samples from Stamptivity

Nesties

2009-03-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of samples using some nestibilities - as promised to the ladies who recently attended the class at Graphicus. The card base was cut on the cricut using the doily from the wild card cartridge. The paper - a single sheet was from my graphics guild paper pack. Just cut into the nestie flowers to make your petals stand proud. As an aside if anyone wants a versatile embossing mat to use nestibilities / brass stencils etc with their cuttlebug contact Glenda and the team and they will sort you out.

5318108354890697810" />

This sample uses my favourite cuttlebug smooching technique - try it on Bazil Bling cardstock it's scrummy. The frame was cut using a corner punch and finished off with a stampboard tile and some prima flowers

Flourish Flowers

2009-03-25T13:47:00.001-07:00

This was something that I made up today from some bits & bobs I had left over from the Graphicus demo days. The flower is made from an accent essentials flourish layered over some nestie oval cut outs! My favourite has to be the cardstock - part of the Graphicus Guild paper pack.
TFL
Annette

Graphicus Open Days

2009-03-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to seeing you at Graphicus Open Days this Friday and Saturday. I know there is some gorgeous goodies to be had - I've got my eyes on some fabulous My Minds Eye 12 x 12 papers and new Tim Holtz stamps. Hope to see you there
I'll leave you with a scrapbook layout of my baby boy aged 2 days - I wasn't into scrapping then!!

Annette

Play Day

2009-03-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

We had a very busy play day at Graphicus a couple of weekends ago when a group of cuttlebug fanatics got together to cuttle to their hearts content!! Thank you for a fab day ladies - I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as I did and looking forward to the next time!
Here is a photo of something we played around with - cuttlebug embossing folders, nestabilities, glimmer mists and some gorgeous rubber stamps made by Elusive Images from their butterfly collage A4 plate.

Happy Stamping

Artisan Paris

2009-03-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

I lived and studied in France and these stamps evoked all those memories walking around Sacre Coeur in the warm summer evenings with friends. They are available from all good Elusive Image stockists and compliment both the cardmaker and scrapper out there. The flowers are by Prima and are proving to be a favourite of mine at the moment.

Happy Stamping

Beginners Basics

2009-02-25T00:15:00.000-08:00

Here are a few samples I did at the weekend at a demo. We had several ladies who were complete beginners and promised to upload some samples as they baskets of stash. They were going to be crafting all Saturday night and Sunday!!

As an aside I thought I'd share with you these snowdrops - their little dresses were just starting to uncurl to dance in the warmth of the sun yesterday

I feel a soft pastel green and snow white colour theme brewing!

Happy Stamping

To Birmingham and Back

2009-02-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

What a funtastic week I've had....I was asked to join the Elusive Images team in Birmingham for the trade show and what a fantastic team they are. I met Helen Chilton for the first time, an inspirational woman, whose artwork was and is amazing. Helen I can't wait to see what you produce with that paint!! Those new Elusive Images stamps will be winging their way to stockists - so pop along and have a look. I've uploaded a couple of photos from the new Harlequin plates - they've got a real carnival feel to them. I can't wait to have some more free time to play with them as there are so many possibilities. Oh and there are some new glimmer mist colours and gorgeous albums on the way as well !!!

Butterflies and a Glimmer Misted Wall

2009-02-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

It was only a few weeks ago when my friend Siggy and I had a christmas crafting marathon - well I can finally show you her beautiful aqua pencilled butterflies.

At the moment I'm waiting for some glimmer mists to dry. You would be forgiven to think they were drying on glimmer chips or card but I've spritzed them on a wall that's waiting to be painted in the dining room. I had to wait until the kids went to bed before they were exposed to their mother cooing and oooohing at a wall - yet another Shirley Valentine moment!! The brain has now engaged in embossed and velvet flocked wallpapers and which combination of delectable colours to go for. The plan needs further exploration !!

Will keep you updated.... Happy Glimping ( Glimmer misting and Stamping! )

A Sneeky Peek - It's Official

2009-02-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

Here at home the crafting area has officially taken over the whole of the downstairs. What with samples for trade shows, friends birthdays and the distraction of the snow - after all you have to demonstrate how to sledge to your kids several times before letting them have a go don't you!! things are a little manic round here and I love it.

The Butterfly Collage stamps are from Elusive Images and are launched next week. They have all the quality and elegance I've come to expect from EI and will set your mind a dance with artistic possibilities.

Have a snowy crafty weekend

Annette

A Brownie Guide Challenge

2009-01-29T04:32:00.001-08:00

At our Brownie meeting we do like to have a session making some cards for the Marie Curie Campaign so here are a few I made to give my brownies some ideas - although they always seem to be able to come up with plenty of their own!!

Egyptian Party Weekend

2009-01-26T04:11:00.000-08:00

Well it's been celebrations all the way this weekend. On Saturday I celebrated been able to see my craft table as I'd had a manic tidy away so that I could see my way to playing with some yummy stash destined to reach our craft shops soon. Followed by an infamous family Burns Supper. A tradition which has been upheld in our family for many a year. In pride of place sits Geordie - a steiff bear wearing my Grandad's family Gunn tartan. Every year we welcome new guests to the table and this year a grand time was had by all. The festivities continued on Sunday with a birthday party.
I do have some photos to upload but need to retrive my camera from a relative's house

The Artful Cat

2009-01-17T09:44:00.001-08:00

Cat - a small, soft-furred,four legged domesticated animal who, rightly or wrongly, believes in exercising superiority.

Today's crafting challenge has been - who will dominate the craft table. Obviously the cat believes that if you leave the table or chair it becomes theirs to lounge all over. Then the cat thought it would play a game - let's paw and bat the paper on the floor and watch my owner pick it up. I've given in, raised a white flag and resigned myself to watching Eragon with my son and having a glass of wine!!

BoBunny Bits and Bobs

2009-01-10T23:45:00.000-08:00

Whoa what a week - 3 classes and a BoBunny demo. Thanks to a group of ladies who would call themselves 'The Card Making Virgins' I was set the challenge of showing them how templates work. So they selected making an elegant slipper from the toe tapper templates, and I introduced them to some of the BoBunny double sided card range including Beau Jardin, Splendor, and My Darling. They were delighted with their cards.

I also must confess that I am a bit of a magpie for craft products with wow packaging and BoBunny have sets of co-ordinated tins with brads, flowers and scrummy buttons. The tins are shiny, useful and have magnetic bases - perfect for stacking more of those bits and bobs.
Any way will leave you with a selection of cards made using some of the products from inside the tins!!

Wishing you a Happy Crafting Week.

More Harlequin Rose

2009-01-02T02:03:00.000-08:00

I have been like a child in a toy shop wanting everything out to play with at the same time. I'm so glad we (my husband and I) made an effort to tidy the house for Christmas! Nevermind I did say to myself that the craft stash cupboard needed a sort out.Anyway let me introduce you to more Harlequin Rose - she's a FABULOUS plate of stamps for every hungry stamper out there. She works in any colour theme - black and white is SO classy, chocolate and teal so scrummy and a colour way I never really use shimmering pink and black.

And then we have hues of lilacs, greens and silvers - having looked at this colour combo I can see a new flower boarder in the garden this summer

Wishing you all a happy new year filled with creativity to do those things you love.

Hommage To Dawn...

2008-12-29T09:26:00.000-08:00

One of our fellow demonstrators Dawn set the crafting marathon off with a version of a stationery box she had made just before Christmas. Well here is our version, using the new Harlequin Rose stamps from Elusive Images. I'm going to put a set of stationery items inside but as yet the stamps are not released so we will have to wait and see.
Thanks for Looking - more tomorrow

Im so excited!

2008-12-27T04:50:00.000-08:00

Why? well today is the official start to my 'me time crafting space' My friend Siggy is as I speak travelling from Kent and we are aiming for a crafting marathon. I even ventured into my hiding hole where I keep my secret stash of specialness and have brought out some gorgeous papers and stamps. Perhaps I need to attend a paper stroking clinic!!Hopefully we will be able to upload some of our creations.
I also wanted to say thankyou to all who have blog read, blog commented and blog encouraged over the past few months since I started, and to those ladies who have attended workshops thank you for your continued enthusiasm. Here's to a New Year with the prospect of even more exciting goodies.

The Faerie and the Unicorn

2008-12-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

If you're still looking for the unicorn she's on the front of the boxed card guarding the entrance. The stamps are from Elusive Images and the castle was cut from the paper dolls cricut cartridge and layered up and them glimmer misted.
I keep promising myself that tomorrow I will make the family christmas cards but like tomorrow they never quite appear!!! It's a good job we're still in the season of Advent - a time of preparation - there's plenty to do
Happy Advent

Snowy Play Days

2008-12-04T09:32:00.000-08:00

Well what a day - I was woken up at 4.30pm by a snoring husband who was so obviously enjoying his sleep that he insisted on sharing it with the whole house. Unable to go back to sleep I sat and watched the snow fall - it was so peaceful until the dog decided it wanted to play snowball fights at 6.30am !!
That was it I had gone passed a set of stamps and a cricut machine. It had to be done, I could watch the snow and play. Here is something I put together for Graphicus Open Day tomorrow (a sneeky peek)I used Joys of The Season cricut cartridge
Looking forward to seeing you there

Advent Cricut

2008-11-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

Just for fun I created this advent calendar as part of a cricut workshop I did earlier this month. I used the Christmas Cheer cartridge and Design Studio to plan the calendar. We had lots of fun putting them together - really all that was missing were the mince pies and tinsel as we had a musical rendition of Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer at the swarm meeting

Have Fun

Blog Challenge

2008-11-11T01:20:00.000-08:00

Just to let you know I've organised a Christmas Themed Round Robin over on the Elusive Images blog if you're interested in joining in the fun just leave a comment in the box by Fri 21 Nov.
I have a cuttlebug playday tomorrow and have been busy putting some samples and techniques together. There's just so many possibilities with that little machine. Looking forward to seeing you there ladies.

Winter's Here

2008-11-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

Let it never be said that living in a northern weather hemisphere is boring. This week I have driven through hailstones the size of golf balls in Carlisle, a flooded road in Penrith, gossamer mists in Newcastle, a snow storm in Kendal and the most colourful sun drenched forest at Hamsterley, with frosty leaves crunching under foot.
Then I made this card for a class this weekend. It is an Elusive Images Stamp and has loads of Christmas potential. I'm not normally a glitter diva but Christmas is an exception. Whatever the weather, have fun

Rummage and Create

2008-10-22T11:16:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of projects I did using up those scraps of card and papers. It can be a really fun idea to see what you can make with all those bits you keep. I like to sort mine into colour theme boxes and then rummage and create.
The bind-it-all box is made from Paper Adventures Papers and ribbons supplied by Bramwells. The card die cut is from the Cricut New Arrivals cartridge.

I just love this plate of stamps

2008-10-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

I have to say the more you play with these stamps the more your brain teases you with that 'what if I just....' moment.
I have been busy with the cricut and have done a few projects which I will be able to upload shortly.
Next week I'm going to try and start my own Christmas Cards - my problem is that I have so many lovely stamps I will want them all out at the same time.
Happy Stamping

David Attenborough here I come...

2008-10-19T10:45:00.000-07:00

We have all watched in awe as David Attenborough and his crew film fantastic footage of birds, insects and animals about their business when everyone else is asleep.
As some of you know we have a mad cairn terrorist, who regularly enjoys such antics as trampolining, cat stalking and greeting the postman every morning.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, 2.15am actually, the dog woke us up barking like mad - a very rare occurance as she likes her beauty sleep as well - Mike went downstairs and opened the door. The dog ran out before Mike could catch her and she disappeared down the road at 100 miles an hour. Someone had very kindly opened our gates and pulled the composter over. The fuming husband came back upstairs and got dressed in his running gear. I thought it's a bit early for a run, but no I was told that the dog had gone walkabout. Up, dressed and torch in hands we set out on a dog hunt. I went hunting up the dog field and Mike went on his bike down the river and along the railway lines. Believe me it's spooky at 2.30am, hedgehogs snuffle, owls hoot, mice, voles, rats they're all out there. Using mobile phones as radio mikes I got a message to say that he had site of her - 4 miles away near an old prisoner war camp but the dog was still running. However, his torch battery had gone flat - he was returning to get another torch.
To cut a long morning's entertainment short we found the dog, whimpering 6 miles away, the cows had got her cornered and the chase was over. Like all normal people we returned home, walking the dog, hand in hand at 5.30 am had coffee and went to bed.

You couldn't write a story like this if you tried!

There's Blog Candy In Them There Hills There Is

2008-10-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Pop over to the elusive images design team blog and post a comment - there's some amazing blog candy to be had

A Five Legged Unicorn

2008-10-09T08:29:00.001-07:00

Just finished a couple of samples for Elusive Images and have had such a laugh. I made a gatefold card with unicorns on the front and thought something was amiss. Anyway when I looked at it again three hours later I realised I had decoupaged the unicorn with five legs. You're allowed to laugh I did and still am.
This landscape Angel sample was made from the ATC size stampboard which is a lovely size to work on. It was painted first with tinkabella inks, sanded back. The images were stamped with Ranger Archival Black, allowed to dry and then etched.Finally spritz with your favourite glimmer mists.The card base is gold mirri card, hence the holy glow.

When only Pooh will do...

2008-10-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

Ever had one of those days when your mojo goes on holiday? My tip to restore the soul is to sit down and read Whinnie the Pooh.
Quote of the Day ""When late morning rolls around and you're feeling a bit out of sorts, don't worry; you're probably just a little eleven o'clockish."

Just Playing

2008-10-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a card made from the new Christmas Stamps available from Elusive Images. The star was made from 4 stampboard tiles painted with tinkabella inks and overstamped with one of the gorgeous tree images. I will try and post a couple more cards this week. I've got a day off and I'm treating myself to a trip to a bead fair....
Happy Stamping

Feels like Autumn is on it's way

2008-10-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

I just love this time of the year when you go out walking the dog and you see so many inspiring colour combinations in the trees and those gorgeous fields after the crops have been cut. It makes you want to play with different colour pallettes. This week I've been playing with those yummy Tattered Angel Glimmer Mists and some tissue paper which came out of a lovely surprise perfume box present from my DH. I had some plain candles and decided they needed a simple make over. The stamps are from Elusive Images Paris in the Spring collection. It seemed a pity to use them but that is part of my commitment to myself to use my stash and not save it, stroke it, smell it or leave it on a shelf for too long!! A mantra that is working....

Have fun - I did

When you just have to laugh

2008-09-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions - I was so excited as I drove to the garage and pick up my new car , after having said my very fond farewells to Lola, a beautiful black luna Beetle which my DH bought me as a wedding anniversary present. The new car - yet to be christened - is a sexy salsa red Beetle. Go for a test drive, you'll be hooked.
Anyway, I was demonstrating at York and had packed the car with 'stuff' and arrived with loads of time to set up etc etc. I had just opened my bag, put my hand in when a large tube of glitter glue exploded in my hand. The glue shot up in the air, splattered the demo table and when I looked I realised that I was wearing most of a whole pot of glitter glue. The two blokes waiting outside for their wives to come out of the craft shop were too polite not to laugh. After I had spread it everywhere, whilst trying to clean up, one of the blokes came over and said, " Do you do that to attract all your customers? My wife has to spend all night with glitter to look like that!"
I'm just so pleased I didn't have to take the new car back to the garage to be cleaned or report any mishaps to DH!!!

Take Care

Beetle Juice

A bit of Fun !!

2008-09-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

Every family has one (I hope) or life could become very dull! My mum, auntie and I went shopping the other day and left the shop with several of these silly hats. My excuse is that I'm a Brownie Guider and my Brownies have come to expect such behaviour from me - I'm not sure other shoppers found it so amusing. Go on have a laugh, we did and felt sssooooo much better!

Cuttle and Create

2008-09-11T00:52:00.000-07:00

A few ladies have requested images of some cards I made last weekend at the Graphicus Open Weekend. I hope the cards you're looking for are here. The stamps I used are supplied by Inkadinkado and are available at http://www.graphicus.co.uk/, as are the cuttlebug embossing folders and dies.

Also I have uploaded some cricut create samples but I'm delighted to say that I have been given two free housework days by the Clan and have decided to play with Design Studio. Saying that I do have a gorgeous set of stamps sitting on my desk that have got my name written all over them. Watch this space.

It's Raining.... It's Pouring.....

2008-09-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

......but inside Graphicus the sun is shining. Thank you to all the lovely people I met today. I just love watching people's faces as they walk out of the door, peering into their shopping bags, looking at all their lovely stash. I always spread my stash out on the floor and smell and stroke the papers - my dog thinks I'm mad and the kids know that I'm mad. Today I just could not resist some beautiful prima flowers, a delicious Maya Road hand bag and some ribbons. It's my daughter's birthday next week so I shall see what I can secretly create for her. I shall put some sample cuttlebug cards on here for those ladies that wanted photos next week.

By the way this is how I found Marmalade and Sparkle when I got home tonight. The vet has been quite rude about Sparkle when he has had to go for a check up. The truth is when we got him we thought he was a she.... say no more

and the award goes to......

2008-09-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

with the delight of receiving an award comes the responsibility of passing it on. I've thought long and hard and looked at the criteria for A [Wild] WYLDE Woman!

Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgement to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy. There are only two rules:1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it’s up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.2. Link back to this blog site (http://tammyvitale.typepad.com/) so I can go visit all these wonderful women.

I would like to pass this award onto Helen Chiltern, whose work I have admired up close when helping to mount artwork over at Graphicus. Helen has also had projects published in Crafty Stamper, and Helen has recently joined the blogging sisterhood and her artwork can be viewed at http://helenchilton.blogspot.com/ . Congratulations Helen xXx

Back to Black

2008-09-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

These clear stamps from Inkadinkado starved off the black theme in mind from yesterday. Although I have to say finding any lovely soft black ribbon is almost impossible. Also tried a little test using Stazon and Ranger Archival Dye ink and on this occasion the Ranger ink gave a better finish in my opinion. The gem stones are from Hero Arts and I just love the colour range they have. I just got my hands on some olive green gem stones and when I saw the colour my mind was racing back to the fabulous Peacock Summer Party CD (http://www.graphicus.co.uk/ to purchase) and a particular paper on that so watch this space.

Yesterday my daughter started a self portrait for a competition. The rules are that it has to be a self portrait in the style of an artist you admire. True admiration for her as she sat down to compose. Sometimes wish I had that child like approach to life. She chose Van Gogh and as part of our chat I asked her why she liked his style. Her reply certainly put me in my place - 'can you not see the way he fills in flat spaces with pattern and he doesn't really paint he just draws in colour' An art critic in the making. Hopefully I'll ask her permission to show the finished portrait.

I've not forgotten....

2008-09-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

I've not forgotten about you all but this week my time has been employed purchasing school uniform and if anyone has a daugher they will appreciate the difficulties in purchasing a pair of school trousers. Apparently the 'in thing' is to wear the afore mentioned item long, so long that they trail on the ground, then you spend all day walking on them so they take on a shabby chic look. By the end of your first day at school they look exactly like the ones your mother threw in the bin on the last day of school. The lesson I've learnt this week is to choose which battles you want to fight and I think this is one I have definitely waived a white flag at.

To compensate for the madness I have been working on some samples with some new stamps, but they are been kept under wraps until after their launch. I have also been playing with some different ideas using rubber stamps and a cuttlebug. Ideas are progressing and again I hope to be demonstrating this at the Graphicus open weekend, along with the new Cricut Create. Hope to see you all there.

I'm now bracing myself for a morning shoe shopping. The only rule is they have to be black..... Perhaps that could be my theme for a card today. Let's see what happens
Annette

AAAARRRGHHH - Have you ever......

2008-08-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever got up early in the morning, crept downstairs trying dilligently not to wake the sleeping beauties up. You don't turn on the light, because you don't want to be blinded and then you are thrown into a state of hysteria as you realise you are treading in slime and find an invasion of elongated slugs taking over your kitchen floor ..... well that's what happened to me this morning. Everyone then awoke !! only the dog decided that going back to sleep would be a good idea. Anyway, thought I'd upload a couple of recent samples that winged their way over to Elusive Images.

An Award

2008-08-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

A [Wild] WYLDE Woman!

Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgement to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

After returning home from a break I used to look forward to opening my post but this year I couldn't wait to get back and open my emails etc. To my delight I found out that I had ben given this award by one fabulous diva who I can also confirm will be published on the front cover of October's Craft Stamper magazine. Pop over to her blog for some true inspiration. Thank You Lynne! http://inkyartitude.blogspot.com/

There are only two rules:1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it’s up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.
2. Link back to this blog site (http://tammyvitale.typepad.com/) so I can go visit all these wonderful women.

Like Lynne I had to go and spend some time looking at some of the links and have found some pretty amazing women out there. Now I shall have to think hard as to who to pass the award onto. The thinking cap is on as there are so many possibilities

New Christmas Stamps from Graphicus

2008-07-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

I've been honoured to have been playing with these stamps for a little while now and how fantastic are they. I have yet to feel that I've made a boo boo with them. Glenda over at http://www.graphicus.co.uk/ has done an amazing job - you can pop over there and add them to your stash, 100% stamping satisfaction

As Promised

2008-07-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we spent a warm, sunny afternoon crafting at Crafty Corner, South Shields - a bit of a find for those with Crafty Inclinations!!! Check out their site at info@craftycorneruk.com While we were crafting - this is what the kids did to their fab DAD. I'm not sure who had more fun!!!

The Dog Does Craft TV

2008-07-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

Yes this is the dog attempting to join in a crafty time that we were having recently. It's difficult to know where to start really with this hound as she is a law unto herself. Kuilty, rhymes with guilty, has to be involved with everything. One of her more famous claims to fame is that she once opened a packet of 4000 3d foam pads and wore them like Joseph's technicolour dream coat. After she tired of wearing them she them walked them round the house, sticking them to the wood floor. Guess who spent an afternoon clearing up!!

My First Blog Award

2008-07-16T13:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Dawn for nominating the blog for an award. My first and it comes at the end of a FAB Day spent with my daughter at the cinema watching Mama Mia! It was soo funny and Julie Walters was a real character.
(Will confess my technical inadequacy and ask Dawn how to upload Blog Award image as this is all new to me!!!) Pop over and visit Dawn - a class act at Anything Paper Craft

Thanks Dawn for helping me out getting the award to view. Here are the 'rules' to claim the award..The rules for this award are:-
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you've nominated........

Cuttlebug Playtime

2008-07-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

Spent today playing with some cuttlebug embossing folders ..... I was supposed to be making a six tier wedding cake (from paper - cuttlebug style) for my godson's wedding in August but got slightly distracted while waiting for some glues to dry. I will post a piccy of the cake but it will have to wait until after the wedding as it is a surprise for the Bride & Groom!!!!
Anyway back to the cards....

2008-07-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

These are a selection of cards using Peacock Summer Party Papers, Peacock Fan and Fantasy Floral Rubber Stamps available from Graphicus. They are just gorgeous to use.

A Dog on a Trampoline

2008-07-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

Yes this is the 'dog on the trampoline' moment that we shared in this morning after breakfast. Really she's watching the birds - but uses the trampoline as an aide to savaging our garden. It can be quite a distraction to paper crafting!!!!

Christmas Time

2008-07-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

2008-07-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

These samples were made using the new Christmas Stamps from Graphicus and the toppers / papers are available from the Season's Greetings CD

Life is for living, laughing and loving

2008-07-04T23:38:00.000-07:00

Finally managed to get into blogging mode and update some samples for you.

Have to say that life has been a little bit hectic but I have enjoyed every minute of it.....

Thanks to the lady who dragged her expression machine to a recent demo for me only to tell her the reason it would not cut was because she hadn't put a blade in........ thank you

Thanks to Team Glenda for asking me to take part in tutoring at the Elusive Images Retailer Event. What a FAB time was had by all in the lovely seting at Headlam Hall nr Barnard Castle

Thanks to Charlotte for sharing the tears at the fictional demise of Dr Who...... there will be life after David Tennant.......soooo looking forward to sharing our next 'teenage crush'

..... my mad cairn terrorist, Kuilty, who has been enjoying the delights of a selected mix of cat mint and chives from the garden...... she now displays running talents round the garden that an olympic athelete would display........

and finally to my DH who says he loves seeing me enjoying life.......thank you

Busy Busy Busy

2008-04-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a few projects I was busy with last week as part of a Craft session with some friends.

Don't you just love Inkadinkado stamps.

Have to say one of my favourite techniques of the moment has to be DTP(Direct to Paper). It brought back many happy memories when I started stamping about 20 years ago now when we had to make our own papers as there wasn't the choice there is today. Try it and have a go - I promise it will make you feel young again!

The dawn of a technological era

2008-03-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Lets see what we can do - have been encouraged by DH to start a blog as I seem to read everyone else's blog.
looking forward to sharing