Monday, June 21, 2010

Friendship Warms the Heart

This morning I received the most lovely surprise from my friend Kirsty ... "Handmade Little things"
THANKYOU KIRSTY!!! you are so kind....


Just take a look at what I got.......





The most beautiful handmade card... (sigh) I love the verse and I will treasure this card forever....






The most gorgeous... Lace, Ric Rac, Tickets and Tags and would you look at those Buttons!!
Take a closer peek....


Kirsty has an Etsy shop Here... PLEASE take a look at her beautiful goods... I can promise you that they are even more beautiful "in the flesh".

KIRSTY you have made my day... my week! I am truly grateful for your kindness and thoughtfulness and your friendship....
Have a wonderful day and I'll catch up next week.

Hugs

Ros





Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Sunday...


..And a Happy Father's Day too....I don't have anything new to share today so I thought I'd show you a card I was asked to make by a friend who's son was celebrating his 21st... quite apt for Father's Day I thought....

The only thing I had to go on was that he loved working out at the gym.... I am told that this looked just like him (..um.). 
I just cut out a silhouette and used some Basic Grey papers, embossed some silver card and made buttons to match.
I also thought that you might like a peek at my little craft room......
This is as you walk in the door from the hallway.... My sewing machine is housed in the box covered with the blue poppies... you can see some of my crafting knic knacs on the shelf above...




..and my pretty clock.....










































Three desks run along the wall (covered in a plastic cloth as I get glue and stuff everywhere).. and my computer and printer are at the end.



More whimsical bits.. my wreath and owl and tiny little birds... with some photos on the shelf which used to adorn my Mum's home.


These are the cupboards behind me ... full to bursting( and there is a cupboard out back also full!)...

This little bag hangs on my door and is filled with flowers ... my lovely Aunt made this especially for me and everything you see is all hand made ... all the embroidery and the beading, the flowers, the butterfly... I love it!
This hangs in front of my window - again all little bits on it... see my little birdhouse?

Yup, made this too with lovely My Minds Eye papers... then found this little birdie with the heart on one day.
There 'ya go for now....
Have a lovely day....

Till soon

Ros






Friday, June 18, 2010

"JUGS" Challenge

Hello everyone.....
I have just seen that I have won "Chic of The Week" over at the Just Us Girls blogspot and I am speechless! Really ... other than "Thank you" ....so very much.... I don't know how to express just how elated I am. 
When I started this blog, just a few months ago I had no idea of the sheer joy it would bring me... To know that someone has taken the time and trouble to leave a comment is a delight in itself, but to actually win a challenge or be spotlighted - when I see so many beautiful creations submitted  - is beyond anything I ever expected. So from my heart... I thank you.


Till soon


Ros 

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Where did this come from?




So ok... I was so taken with kirsty's inspirational picture for the new City Crafters Challenge "Venice, Beyond Gondola" ... (having never been to Venice I might add)... that my fingers began to play...
And before I knew it.. this little lady was born.....







There she is - all ready for the Mardi Gras....complete with bells. So it's just a bit of fun right? And I intend to hang her in my little craft room. She started life as a colouring page (face that is) but didn't have any eyes so I drew them and coloured them. I did a lot of paper piecing too but not sure if she just looks like spider woman now?? Lol!



I have actually been to Italy - fulfilled a childhood dream some years ago... I remembered watching Katherine Hepburn "Summertime" with my Mum many years ago when I was an impressionable young girl.. I fell instantly in love with Italy..... 

Of course when I went 4yrs ago, it was nothing like the picture in my head... But Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Capri all exceeded my expectations and left me breathless. Maybe one day I will see Venice..



The Play Date Cafe also have a new challenge - a "Colour Splash" challenge with the most beautiful picture......



You really need to see the gorgeous creations from the DT. I was going to enter this little lady ...Quirky though she is... But I didn't think that the music sheet would count...
So here is my entry for Play Date Cafe




See? nearly the same colours... well I used the same papers for the background- just printed my lion onto different DP. Another of Meljen's Design digital stamps... He's a cutie isn't he?

That's all for now ........

Till soon

Ros




Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I'm so thrilled...

......To have won the City Crafters Challenge "Here Comes The Bride"..... and so very grateful for all your lovely comments about my little vintage horseshoe...THANK YOU!!

I know there are loads of challenges out there in "Blogland" that I haven't as yet visited, but those that I do enter are not just because I like to craft and be challenged... they are honestly the sweetest bunch of people...... And I look forwards each day to reading each and every blog.

I have been so very busy these past few days... So many birthdays this month and I am going away for a week next Tuesday (Yeh, I know)... so I am trying my best to fit everything in. Thankfully  I have done all the cards and posted most of them.....I like to put nice inserts in them and personalise the verses too which takes time... And  I have completed my project for Thursday club..... 
Yesterday I had a friend over for the day - she wants to make a scrapbook for her Grandchildren and needed some pointers. Well you know us crafters... once someone asks you about your passion... the hours fly and I am sorry Lin if I sent you home reeling from information overload... 


This is a card I have just done for my friend and neighbour Helen.......





Yep, she is the big five "O"..... and just one of the nicest people ..... She actually loves animals as much as me and in particular, cats - so I had to put one in there ....


 This lil' cat is made from wood and covered in material so he would be easy to make into a brooch too.

Well I said I was going away again and yes, I am fortunate to be going back to Majorca. I hate to leave my home empty whilst I am away so Mikey will be here and I know that America is calling to him... so I thinks that he will be gone again soon..... (sigh)
So I hope to be able to do a few more postings before I leave and maybe even fit in a challenge or two if I can......

Till soon my lovely friends

Ros



Sunday, June 13, 2010

Little Bear JUGS Challenge....


Lots of pictures for you today... I am entering the JUGS (digital) challenge for the first time. How could I not? The ever so clever Lauren Meader of  My Time Made Easy is their sponsor this week. Lauren's blog was the first ever blog I followed... I was totally blown away by her creativity firstly at PTI and then  as she started out on her own offering so many versatile goodies. Her ideas and inexpensive goods have been a blessing to me as I have had to come up with projects week after week for my group of mentally and physically challenge crafters. 
Anyone who follows me will know that I use Digital ..... a LOT!! Partly because I can adapt sizes and keep a multitude of papers, embellies and so much more ... all stored neatly on my computer or on discs.... and partly because it is so hard to get some of the lovely things my friends over in the USA can. We are way behind here when it comes to crafting ...and... very expensive! I have bought goods from the USA but postage can be more than the goods! LOL!

I went with the baby theme again because I love this little image from Meljen's and decided to do a keepsake box too... my own design.....



This time my teddy is holding his "Blankie"..... Is he sweet??


I went with the My Time Made Easy digital papers "Bringing Home Baby"..... they are so darn cute and whilst I could have used all of them, Just a couple on their own are a statement enough. The one things I would say about digital is that you need to realise that different quality card and paper will alter the colours slightly and also I have found this when using different programs on my computer. So if you are unsure - just practice and you can have your own customised papers.



This is the top of my box and again my teddies were printed directly on to Lauren's paper with a little painting on his patches first using paintbrush. The zigzag I just cut from the same paper collection.









I did do a tutorial on this little box Here .. it was my first attempt at a tutorial so if you are interested in making one, I hope you can follow it. You can see some more of my boxes Here and Here.




Pretty lace, ribbons and buttons ..... The tag was printed on my computer too using Ledger paper from Shimelle's Springtime Basics range from Two Peas.

And finally.....
I thought you would like to see a couple of Roses from my garden.... See, the first one was bought for me by my Sister In Law ... should have been yellow... but each year it "does it's own thing" so that some flowers are yellow, some peach and some are like this......




A gorgeous creamy combination of two colours.........

Here's another ... I call it "Raspberry Ripple" 'cos it reminds me of the ice cream......


Till soon my friends.....

Hugs 

Ros




Friday, June 11, 2010

Birthday Girl...



In just over a weeks' time little Sophia will have her first birthday... Today I found the inspiration for her card .....






How cute is this little teddy from Meljen's Designs digital stamps.... ? She has some really beautiful images. I painted some of the teddy bear using Paintbrush on my computer then printed the whole design twice - once on white fine card stock and then on some Melissa Frances paper which I cut out and overlaid onto the first print using foam pads to give it some dimension. The background papers are the same MF paper and paper from PTI.


Not quite sure if you can make out the sparkly lace which I gathered by running ribbon through. Lots of embellishments here from my own stash...... 

Now remember I gave you this peek?

Well this was for a sweet blog friend - Kirsty - and I sent it over to the USA a week ago so I am hoping that it has not been lost somewhere along the line....... 
If so this was for you Kirsty to welcome you in your new home..........








....Together with this......


No doubt now I have shown you they will turn up!!









Have a wonderful weekend everyone....

Till soon

Ros












Thursday, June 10, 2010

Play Date Cafe Challenge........


Just a very quick post this evening .... 
The Play Date Cafe have a new challenge and the very talented Mona Pendleton of Cupcake Creations
has set a beautiful colour challenge.....



That bed looks so divine!!
Anyway here is my challenge entry......


Another cute lil' fairy.... 
Please hop over to see the lovely creations by the DT at Play Date Cafe  - they are so pretty.

Well I've had a really busy day and now I have to go to my crafting group, so I love you and leave you

Till soon

Ros




Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Thank you.......

I have got 4 big "Thank You"'s to make today.......


First of all - Thank you to...... City Crafters Challenge.... for awarding me another City Spotlight Artist Award for which I am truly grateful.
Secondly - Thank you to....Picture Perfect Creations .... for my Runner Up Award and for my new little button proudly displayed. I am overwhelmed........



My 3rd Thank You ,and the reason for this card.... is to Betty... One lovely lady who has been a blessing to my Dear Aunt and who today sent me some lovely embroidery ......



I think this little mouse from Tiffany's Doodles is so cute .... If you haven't seen her stamps you need to... they are brilliant and so easy to use.

I had in mind Picture Perfect Creations new challenge when I created this.....These are the colours......


Funnily enough they are the same colours I used in this card for the Caardvarks challenge, but they are such a nice combination and you can see the lovely cards the DT have done with these colours over at Picture Perfect Creations. 
So there are 3 thank you's and also my new challenge entry..... But my 4th Thank you is to all of you people out there for your kind words and support..... I feel I have made so many friends and it is .... Well....just great!

Till soon

Ros





Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Vintage wedding gift....

Craft wise the last few days have been quite busy... I do Pilates on Monday mornings and always catch up for coffee with my friend after class......So it surprised even me when I suddenly had a surge of creative juices flowing when I came home.... Good though because I had to sort my project for Thursday evening and it is not so much that I don't have the ideas - it's more of what they are capable of and would like.


So first up is this weeks project with a Father's day theme.... Notebooks and cards.....



I have prepared 20 of these for them to assemble and will do some more as I know they are always popular with my group.... what starts out as maybe a dozen people soon becomes over 20 when they see what we are making and more and more of the men now join in.


I covered each one of the buttons and then pierced the holes ready for them to attach with twine - velcro dots will act as a fastener for the notebook.

The snakeskin card is by Kaban and is really a lovely quality - looks and feels like leather. I printed the card with a vintage colour on my computer.

Next up is for the City Crafters Challenge this week... "Here Comes The bride"... A great challenge hosted by Cheryl Nelson and as the sponsor is none other than Kraft Kirsty ... the prize is some more of her lovely goods.




I chose to make a gift rather than a card this time ... a little vintage horseshoe......



Once again I have made my little flowers but this time with vintage music sheets. I won't pretend that this was not the fiddliest of things to make, because believe me it was! But I am pleased with the outcome.... And just in case you are interested.... No..... there is no tutorial for this as I make it up as I go. I started by covering stiff card with self adhesive glitter paper - I cut the shape using 2 circular nestabilities and it just grows from there... As you can see I added Tulle, ribbon, flowers, lace and glitter with some little hearts and pearls. Yep, fiddly!

And last but by no means least, I have another vintage card to share... this one was made for the Shabby Tea Room challenge - "Just For Dad".... Debbie always comes up with a great challenge and the DT have done some lovely cards... The prize is fabulous! Not telling you what it is - you will just go and take a look!

I lost my Dad nearly 40 years ago and still miss him everyday.....


Lots of little vintage ephemera ... with some distressed book paper for my butterfly.....





I dread to think how old that lil' button is..... my Mum and my Nana always kept sewing bits and bobs and heaps of buttons... nothing was ever thrown out without the buttons being removed first! Now I find myself soooo grateful for those habits - not sure why my Mum kept things as she had no interest or skill in anything to do with craft.... 
Well that's it for now my friends......
I hope you are all having a great day,

Till soon
Keep safe

Ros