Spotlight Stamping!
A few weeks ago I saw a technique on the Creative Moments Blogger's Network page on Facebook and thought I would give it a go! I used a teardrop punch (as I don't own a circle!), acrylic glue for the glossy effect and once I had layered the image on card I drew round her with grey pro-marker - added a few embellishments from my stash and created a gift tag! Love this spotlighting technique and will be trying it again in the future.... thanks to Debbi for the fabulous tutorial xx

Minnie Mouse Card
Bought this stamp with 2 others for the grand total of £1!! I love a bargain!  This is the second card I have made with this stamp.  I used promarkers to colour her, found a star-shaped mini flowers stamp to add detail, mounted it three times and added black gems and peel-offs to finish.  Rather than stick a number on the front I used xxxxx instead! (Actually I didn't have a number which suited the style of the card and found the x's -but don't tell anyone!) :) 

 Canvas Wall Art II and Feature Wall

Another of my sister's unique pieces of canvas art! This time using serviettes and PVA glue in colours which complement the room.

Rather than decorate the wall with wallpaper, my sister simply painted the walls white and then found some paper samples which she liked and created this beautiful heart as a focal point in the room! Stunning! xxx

Challenge theme: Circus
Admittedly this was a tricky one! Fortunately I found some papers in my stash and folded and stuck until I had made a circus tent.  Added some 3d stars, stripy ribbon and balloons (which I bought ages ago and haven't really used!).  The tent is the front of the card and the inside/background is green. Really pleased with it and even more pleased that I was a joint winner in the daily challenge!! xx 

Canvas Wall Art I
My sister is very talented! She made these using canvases bought from local shops, string and buttons and left over paint which she had used to decorate other rooms. I think they are amazing!  xx

Challenge theme: Black and White and one other colour
I am pleased to say that I am really enjoying the challenges set at Craftymess as more than anything it is encouraging me to actually find time to make some cards!! For this one I built up a teddy stamp which I found in my collection of images and coloured in the heart using a Pro-marker.  The sentiment was in a pack of miscellaneous ones which I purchased recently so I added a border, and while dotting black gel pen round the outside it all smudged!! Panic!! I grabbed a baby wipe and smudged the whole thing - but I quite like the effect!! Finally mounted onto black card and white paper, added a couple of black and white embellishments which I had in my stash and voila!! Simple yet effective (I think so anyway!) xxx I had some lovely comments on the challenge which I really appreciated too xxx

Challenge theme: Flowers
I really enjoyed putting this together! I saw someone make this type of flower at a craft fair and had a go myself at home.  I made the card the other week, having been inspired by a friend who had shared how to blend colours using different colours of ink.  As I don't have any 'fancy' equipment I simply stamped different ink pads directly onto card until I had the effect I desired.  Then used my mini flower stamps to add detail and finally used another silver butterfly.  So today when I attached the flower to the card I felt it needed embellishing a little!! I used my gold tone string to create the tassel/bow and added clear beads.  Then, using a tent peg as support (!!!) I made a green bow to act as a leafy detail.  I'm afraid to say it will have to be a special present for a special someone before I part with this!! xxx

Challenge theme: Sealife
As I didn't have any specific resources for this theme I had to get a little bit creative! I found some air drying clay in the cupboard and made two shells which I painted with shimmer paint.  I enhanced the background with 3 different shimmer paints too.  I used metallic markers to create the plants and the dotted border.  I then found a single fish within a fishing themed stamp set and used this on silver glitter paper and cut out each fish by hand, raising some of them with sticky pads.  I mounted the background and to complete the card added two borders of shimmering blue ribbon. 

Challenge theme: Butterflies
This is a tag which I created using a flower stamp and a butterfly stamp.  Thought I would experiment a bit with this one and only used Promarker Pens for ink and colouring in! I even coloured the embellishments, ribbon and bow with the same Promarker Pen (Peach) which I used for the flowers.  Of course I had to use a bit of glitter and diamante gems for a touch of sparkle! 

Challenge theme: Favourite animal and colour
One of my favourite animals is the elephant and I discovered this stamp in my collection and decided to make use of my blue inkpad! I then coloured the elephant using a pro-marker pen and used watercolour pencils in different shades of blue to colour the design.  Then I wiped a baby wipe (tip from a friend) over the whole thing just to see what would happen - hence the smudgy effect!!  I then mounted the image on two shades of blue, embellished with blue accessories (well, I coloured a white bow with a permanent blue pen) and attached it all to a blue card.  I am pleased to say that I have bought all the items which I have used - apart from the card which was part of a big donation of crafty things from a friend.

Butterfly themed card for a Daily Challenge

I used a pink glittery butterfly acetate (donated), dark pink glittery cut out butterfly shapes (donated), silver heart shaped brads (bought), silver wording (bought), on a blue glittercard background (donated).  The acetate is pushed forward (a technique I discovered via a family friend). And I dotted glitter glue on each butterfly to add to the sparkle! 

My first ever post...

Well. Here goes nothing! Welcome to my blog which I have created as a result from a request by a very dear friend so that I can join in the fun with other crafters! It is fair to say that I have always enjoyed drawing, designing and making things - that is watching what other people do, seeing things while I am out and about and generally thinking "I bet I could do that!" Let's face it, you never know until you try... 

So, I have decided to use this blog to share my creations - whatever they may be - cards, scrapbook attempts, even household items.  And it is worth pointing out that I do not spend a fortune on resources - many are bought in the sale (my favourite word!), some are kindly given to me and I even make use of the things which I already have at home - and being a hoarder does help!

Enjoy looking and thanks in advance for any comments - always appreciated, please be kind ;)

Lou x