Deep in the Forest

 Challenge time again at Try It On Tuesday - and our theme this fortnight is DEEP IN THE FOREST'

At twilight, Briana was making her way home when she wandered from her usual path and went deeper into the forest.
As it got darker she used her magic to light her candle (no matches!) to try and find her way back. to the path.
She walked through a carpet of lavender and saw a silhouette of a bunny ahead.
Briana was friends with all creatures and she thought maybe bunny was lost too so she headed towards him.

As she got closer she saw something looming in the darkness and suddenly there in front of her was a very old tree, so old that some of it's roots had burst through the forest floor and pushed the ground round it into a little hill.
The tree had a door and a window and there was a light inside.
Briana couldn't decide whether to knock and disturb the occupant and explain that she was lost and she had used the last of her magic for that day lighting the candle.

BUT - What if there was a Troll inside? Briana was taught never to go near trolls as they were monstrous creatures.
What though if there was a friendly Hobbit living there?  Hobbits were happy go lucky beings who would be kind to a stranger.
Briana stood and thought - Knock on the door and hope it was a Hobbit? Or try and find her way vback to the path on her own and not risk the chance of it being a Troll's house?
What do you think she did?
😊😊😊
Thanks for looking today!
Hope all is well in your part of blogland. x

Oh So Sweet

We have a new challenge starting today at Try it on Tuesday and it's called Oh So Sweet.

I have had a change from cards for this challenge- I saw these on Pinterest and thought they were really cute so wanted to try making one - my two friends came for a crafty day so we sat and had fun together.

The terracotta pot is just over 4" high bought for next to nothing at a local small plant nursery.

We thought hard about what to use for the inside to give us something to work on - none of us like touching floral oasis😱 so some polystyrene packaging (salvaged from a friend's new kitchen installation) was cut up (cue lots of mess!) and glued inside the pot virtually to the top.

The bunny's bum was made up using two fur pom poms (from Temu) stitched together and we cut out pieces of felt for his feet.

Once bunny was in position digging up his carrots the artificial flowers and carrots were added.

Using the polystyrene meant we could push the stems in with just a dab of glue on the bottom of each stem.
Some silk flowers were put on the top to fill in any spaces.

The little heart sign was glued to a piece of dowel and the whole thing measures about 10" high.

Really enjoyed doing this with lots of laughs along the way and we each have a really sweet and cute little Easter/Spring decoration for our homes!

Thanks for looking and any comments you may leave.
Hope to see you over at the challenge blog with your cute and sweet creations too! x

Rainbow Colours

 April has come round so quickly!  Anyway here's our latest challenge at Try It On Tuesday and it's called 'Rainbow Colours'.

Normally I go for bold brash colours but recently we had a really soft dreamy hazy rainbow after heavy rain so I modelled the colours of this card on that!
Inks are all Oxides - Spun Sugar, Lucky Clover, Squeezed Lemonade, Salty Ocean.

Stamped the image in Smokey Grey and coloured with Mondeluz Aquarelle pencils. I love these pencils (which were a present from my other half!) as they seem to do exactly what I want wet or dry!

I added a few grungy second/third generation stamps randomly across the background and using the same ink colours as the background lightly brushed over a stencil just to try and give some depth and interest.

I thought about going over the flowers with some glossy accents - I may yet do that - can't make my mind up! (I used to be indecisive - now I am not so sure😂)

My free time has been at a premium - we are getting ready to embark on our Once in a Lifetime trip next month (sooooo excited!) and I'm currently leading a W.I.  Community Poppy Appeal here in our village as we want to make some fabulous displays this November and turn our village red for Remembrance Day. It's going very well so far with many people busy knitting or making crochet poppies!

Our target is 1,500 by the end of August - we've been going 3 weeks and have around 300 so far!
I'm not thinking about how long it's going to take to make them into displays either!)

Really hope you will pop over to the blog and see what the rest of the team have come up with and as always I am keeping my fingers crossed you'll be able to join in with us this challenge!
Happy Crafting! x

Spring

It's half way through our SPRING FLING challenge at TRY IT ON TUESDAY and I needed a quick make for a friend, so I did this in super quick time!

Altenew's Flowery Field 3D embossing folder and simply coloured with Oxides applied with a finger dauber. (I didn't trust myself to just try rubbing an ink pad over the embossed bits!)

I originally was going to stamp and ink a background before using the folder but thought I would just have a trial run on a piece of white card first.

I liked it with the stark white so left this one but I did make a background and it's waiting for me to paint the embossed flowers.

I don't have a lot of 3D folders but I've decided they're great when you need something done in a hurry!
Thanks for looking! x

Spring Fling

Happy Tuesday and welcome to another challenge at TRY IT ON TUESDAY.
Spring is the name of the game this time - SPRING FLING - is the title for the next 2 weeks so please join us and show off your Spring themed projects.

My Altenew stamps have been getting used a bit more than usual over the last couple of challenges! And here's another!

I love this stamp set called (unsurprisingly) Under the Cherry Blossom Tree.

Nothing shouts Spring more to me than a Cherry Blossom in flower.
When I was a child we had a huge tree in our garden and I waited patiently for the flowers to bloom.... more often than not the spring wind blew the petals off and I remember my Mum complaining bitterly about how much mess it made!
I didn't care - the carpet of pink petals was just as pretty underneath my feet!

The little blue bird of happiness has since received a coat of glossy accents since I took this pic

I added a pale ink blended edge and found a Chinese script stamp which was free in a mag eons ago.
Thanks for looking, hope you will pop over to the BLOG and see what the rest of the DT have made.
Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

For a Lady

 

Having used this Altenew stamp for the  TRY IT ON TUESDAY  challenge  'FOR A LADY'  I used it again before it went back in it's storage box!

The background was stamped with Versfaine Clair Charming Pink.

Stamped and gold embossed the focal flower  and coloured with Distress Oxides.

I don't own a die for this stamp set so it had to be fussy cut - each time I decide to fussy cut something half way through I wish I hadn't started - and think I should have bought the darn matching die!

Popped it all up on foam pads to give it a bit of dimension.

Another relatively simple and plain card which will go into my Birthday Box to be used later in the year.

Thanks for dropping in! x
 

For a Lady

The latest challenge at Try It On Tuesday starts today and our theme is 'FOR A LADY'.
Any project accepted as long as it fits our challenge theme so hope you can join us.

I've been painting recently so had a piece of watercolour card out on the desk and instead of putting it in the remains box I used it for this.

The left hand side background was smooshed and because it's watercolour card it absorbed it and made it more subtle than I actually intended but I think it works.
Blue, green and brown inks and for once the colours were where I wanted them - although I think maybe next time I might try lightly wetting the watercolour card first.

Stamps are a mix of Altenew and Rare Earth, used Walnut Stain ink and sprayed lightly before stamping.
Matted onto dark brown card.

Thanks for looking today - hope everything is well in your part of blogland! x

Try It On Tuesday being 'Bossy'!

This challenge at TRY IT ON TUESDAY calls for you to 'BOSS IT'!
Embossing of any type on your project please and if you pop over to the blog you will see what the rest of the team have 'bossed' this time!

Do you like doing 'man' cards?
I don't and thankfully I don't have many to do but there is a couple I need so this has gone in the 'man' drawer.

This card is both dry and heat embossing.

I took a piece of heavyweight grey 300gsm cardstock, then embossed it with the (very old) circles embossing folder.
I wasn't sure how this technique would turn out on lighter weight card so played safe!

I then sponged odd bits randomly with Versamark and began to heat emboss.

Just repeated each time I wanted a colour change.

Used Copper, Silver, Gold and Verdigris powders - altho the Verdigris isn't showing very well on the photo but trust me it IS there!

Once all done I swiped over the top again with a Stazon black ink pad.

Tried a couple of different colours for the sentiment but the silver looked the best.
This faux metal technique is one that I enjoy doing even if it does take a little time I think the results are worth it!

Hope you can join us and thanks for looking today. x

Mid Way at Try It On Tuesday

Half way through our 'ROMANCE' challenge at Try It On Tuesday so there's still time for you to be all soppy and lovey-dovey!

Another simple CAS card from me, this time using linen textured card.

Smooshed a little off cut in Picked Raspberry Oxide then used a tiny script stamp in the same colour to try and give it some depth.

These little heart dies  were just lightly inked on the tips and the bottom of the stems in the same ink.

Thanks for looking today and have a great day whatever you're doing. x

February Romance!

The month of Love is upon us!
And at Try It On Tuesday our challenge for the next two weeks is called 'ROMANCE'

I have done a  CAS card (am not very romantic at all 😀) using a very very old stamp!

The little owls are from Technique Tuesday and were  loved but unused since I got them at least  8 years ago- (hangs head in shame🙈).

It was a stamp I wanted but then didn't have any ideas as to how to use it when I got it!

I paired them with a tree branch from Inkylicious.

A little watercolouring and an ink blended moon outline and a sentiment which for some unknown reason just makes me smile every time I see it!

Thanks for looking and hope you will join us this time!

Sharing with
Sweet Stampin' - Love
Neglected Stuff - Poor Owlies!

Mid way at Try It On Tuesday

Our 'WHAT A NIGHT' challenge is half way through at TRY IT ON TUESDAY.

Near the top of my wish list for several years has been wanting to see the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis.
We were planning a trip to colder and more Northerly climes for late 2025 in the hope that we may be lucky and then in 2024 she showed herself not just once but several times in England and I (along with many others) actually had their wish granted without having to travel anywhere!

First time I rushed outside at 1am watching these dancing green and pink columns above my head and then on two more occasions I saw the sight again that I never thought I would be fortunate enough to see.

The last sighting just before Christmas was the most spectacular - vivid pink columns before eventually the other coloured dancing lights appeared in the starry sky.

So I credit the Lady Aurora for inspiring me to make this card.

Of course it isn't as perfect as the real thing but it captures for me the first moments of the last appearance - and the sentiment is definitely true - I will definitely remember the moments I saw this natural phenomenon!
Tree stamps are from Inkylicious.

Thanks for looking and for any comments you leave - hope you are able to join our challenge too!
Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Try It On Tuesday New Challenge

 We have a theme called 'WHAT A NIGHT' for our latest challenge at Try It on Tuesday.

I hope you can find time to pop over to the BLOG and see what the rest of the creative team members have come up with - and that you'll be inspired to join us.

This card was something of an experiment for me - I wanted to do a sky that was a dark and moody Northern Light type display (instead of the bright green and violets) and used black card stock as the base card instead of my usual white.
It gave a completely different effect but one that I am not too disappointed with!

I roughly and randomly brushed the top of the card with some white Brilliance ink and then used the same ink with the mountain stencil and built up the colour at the bottom.

The sky colours are Cracked Pistachio, Picked Raspberry and Blueprint Sketch.
The castle is from Lavinia and the pine trees are from Inkylicious.

I have had the sentiment for a long time and just white heat embossed to make it stand out before adding a few small ink spatters to make stars in the sky.

Overall I am not too displeased with the end result on the dark card background - but I think I wouldn't blend the colours over the last and largest mountain range if I did this again.
I wanted it to look like the sky was reflecting off the snowy slopes and I don't think I quite nailed it.
Thanks for looking and for any comments you leave - I really do appreciate it! x

Feeling Blue

It's half way through our 'FEELING BLUE' challenge at TRY IT ON TUESDAY so you've still time to join in.
Here's my half way make -

Not anything to do with feeling sad as you can see but it is most definitely blue!

Inks used -
Sky - Chipped Sapphire, Prize Ribbon.
Water - Uncharted Mariner, Blueprint Sketch.
Faded both top and bottom out towards the middle so that the moon gives off light.

The image is of course from Stampin Up's Beautiful You set, which I coloured with a black Posca pen then added some white highlights.

Used a white posca pen for the 'ripples' and although it doesn't show up very well in the photo a white gel pen to make some lighter ripples across the entire bottom.

A few ink spatters across the sky to mimic stars and she really is 'Dancing In the Moonlight'!

Thanks for looking and have a great day whatever you're doing. x

1st Challenge of 2025 at Try It On Tuesday

By now all the decorations will be stored away and doesn't your home look bare?!

I actually like it when all the Christmas clutter has gone and my house is 'back to normal'!

Our first challenge of the year at Try It On Tuesday is called 'Feeling Blue' (which I hope you're not).

I used one single ink pad for this make - Salty Ocean oxide - and it took no time at all to do.
Ink blending liberally splashed with water first.

Stamped the images from a really old Art Journey set using the Oxide and then hunted for a sentiment.
I didn't want a specific greeting as I have no idea what I will use this card for and wanted something generic.

I quite like this one, have had it for ever- no idea who's it is but it's mounted on red rubber and was bought well before clear stamps were a 'thing'!

Hope you can find time to join us this time - please visit the BLOG and see some of the lovely makes from the rest of the creative team.

Have a lovely day whatever you're doing. x

Last of 2024 at Try It On Tuesday!

 Welcome to the last challenge of the year at Try It On Tuesday!
Another year almost gone and Christmas is just around the corner so our challenge this time is called
'SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN'

I once again got out my little lonely boy stamp! I make no apologies for loving this Andy Skinner stamp so much - it has been well used and has been well loved since I got it!

The little man so far has been flying his balloon at the seaside, standing by himself in a country landscape and just simply stamped in lots of other plain backgrounds so it was only fitting that this time he would be standing on an icy pathway looking over the tops of the houses in the street and seeing a very special sight.

The skyline and the Santa sleigh stamp are from Inkylicious.

I used Chipped Sapphire, Seedless Preserve and Fossilized Amber for the sky.

Highlighted with dabs of Stickles here and there and coloured the little man with Aquarelle pencils. As ever the glittery bits don't show up too good!

Please go visit the rest of the creative team at the blog and I hope that you join us for this challenge!
We'll be back with a new challenge on 7th January.
Happy Christmas! x

Linking up at
Pearly Sparkles - Christmas
Merry Little Christmas- A/Thing Christmas
IYGACAC - (Inspired by the Santa cookie!) - Don't stop Believin'
Peace on Earth - A/thing Christmas
Sweet Stampin' - Christmas Creations
Holly and Ivy - A/thing Christmas
Cardz4Guyz - Christmas card

Traditional Christmas at Try It On Tuesday

 Christmas is looming and our challenge for the next 2 weeks at Try it On Tuesday is called 'TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS'
There is nothing more traditional than a Christmas Tree is there?
So here's my take on the theme -

I am not very good at sewing but I confess to having such fun making these - so much so I ended up making a whole forest in different sizes! (Well quite a few anyway!)

I have long been promising to get round to using up scraps of material and lace which have lain in a box for years.
I also have a massive amount of stash (like everybody else) which I hoard because in 48 years time I might need it for something...........

I made a little dent in the pile and enjoyed myself!
I hand stitched most of the decoration on the triangle trees which were sewed on the machine and were cut from the remains of a fat quarter.

The 'trunk' is a pencil wrapped in twine
I used some stuffing from an old cushion to fill the trees, then glued a little bit of stuffing to the pencil before glueing again and pushing into the tree top.

I was a bit bothered as I wasn't sure if this would work but happy to say it dried well inside and the glue didn't seep through to the material.

The pencil trunk was glued into oasis which had been glued into the little buckets. Again I wasn't sure how good this would turn out but it's dried solid and the trees are quite stable, the biggest one measures about 12 inches tall.

Added some snowy stuff, some glittery bits of a scrap of yarn and wooden shapes (which I have had FOREVER)
Hope you will join us for this challenge!
Will share some of the others in another post. Thanks for looking. x
Linking up at
Pixies Playground with all of my lace and odd leftovers!
Crafty Catz - A/Goes
Simon says Stamp - Trees
Double Trouble Thing 1 - Stitch it Up

Half way!

We're mid way through our SPARKLE ALL THE WAY theme at TRY IT ON TUESDAY

My make for the start of the challenge is HERE if you've not seen it

And here's another card which is especially sparkly and consequently especially difficult to show!

This is another very quick Christmas card for my stash.

I used black glitter paper for the background - not usually my thing but I actually quite like how it turned out.

The sparkle effect is immense in real life.

A very simple card, just a couple of die cut snowflakes from white glitter card with a tiny gem in the centre of each and a sentiment also from the white glitter card.

A few tiny snowflakes which were the waste from another die!

You still have time to join us - and we'd love to see you! x

How about a bit of Sparkle?!

 The new challenge at TRY IT ON TUESDAY is called 'SPARKLE ALL THE WAY', so we want to see lots of blingy creations this time round!

I had a bit of fun with some sequins.... especially when I knocked the tub onto the floor 🙈😀

I'm conscious that Christmas now is not too far away so I have been busy with cards and other things.

I used a Penny Black stamp for this card which I have had for several years and every Christmas it gets an airing in one form or another!

This time I gold embossed it and then blended Picked Raspberry over it.
Nuvo Gold and Diamond sequins randomly placed, a gold stamped sentiment (also Penny Black) and finished.

I made a couple of these as it was really quick to do (apart from the half hour collecting the sequins from off the floor....) and the 3 hours that I spent trying to get a decent pic! (Well not 3 hours but a long time anyway!)
Trying to photo sparkles is not a job I would want full time!

Hope you will pop over to the blog and see the rest of the DT's creations and that you'll join us for this challenge - after all what is life without bling?! 💎 x

New challenge at Try It on Tuesday

 Our theme this time round at Try It On Tuesday is called 'MAKE IT MAGICAL'.
Hope that you will join us with your creations and please visit the blog and see what the rest of the team have made!

I have quite a bit of coloured cardstock that gets rarely used except for layering and matting but occasionally I manage to use it as a base card after seeing a blogging buddy use a really dark card for her design.

The Slate Grey card is from Creative Expressions.
Lavinia stamps used throughout and everything was stamped in Versafine Clair Pinecone and Shady Lane.

Starting with the Fir Cone branch stamp,layering it as I went along, then the mini berry stamp and the mini holly. Added the baubles and then stamped Quinn underneath the middle bauble.

Coloured the mini berry and the baubles with my Aquarelle pencils then highlighted the pines and the fairy with a white Signo pen.

I recently bought a white Pan Pastel and used it on the moon and the snow. Although it doesn't show well in the pic there is a bit of sparkle!

Look forward to seeing what you come up with and thanks for looking today! x
Sharing over at
Holly and Ivy - Anything Christmas

Just playing

 I treated myself at the last Lavinia release. Although I am not a Halloween person I fell in love with the lovely pretty witches so they got on their brooms🧹 and flew here bringing a couple more things from the release with them. I am very controlled when it comes to buying Stamp Collections - I sift through and only get what I know I will use - (👼polishes halo!) as it is too easy just to click on 'buy all'!

Since buying I've had very little time to try them out nor have I had any ideas so it was simply a matter of finding a simple design and having a go.

Ink blended, stamped, highlighted with sparkly Posca pens and a white Signo pen.

Don't forget there is still time to enter our Halloween challenge at Try It On Tuesday!

Ages since I linked up at other challenge blogs too so am popping over to
Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge
The Crafting Challenge - Halloween
Make My Monday - Spooky/Halloween
Daisy Chain - Halloween

Have a great day whatever you're doing! x