GDT Spot and WIP Sunday

Yay, the day is finally here and I can share my GDT card for the {{Kenny K's Krafty Girlz}} challenge.

I was so over the moon excited when I was invited to play along with the girls and it was REALLY difficult for me to choose one of the images. I really love them all and right now, I add to my "selection" one new one each month. 

So, for the recent challenge, following the wonderful sketch by {{Rach}} I took  the {{Metal Drummer}} home and had some wicked fun with him...**sniggers**

Cardstock: Mad About Cards, Stampin' Up ** Papers: GCD Studio, Making Memories ** Stickers: Jenni Bowlin ** Deco Tape: Pink Paislee

I followed inspiration by {{Caz}} who loves to print her digi images on Kraft Cardstock before she colours them. It gives them a softer overall look and I really think it worked well here. Thanks Caz, for the idea!

On to my current Work In Progress - I actually have two things on the go right now:

I had a great vision about these circles being turned into a poncho, but somehow that did not work out. So I started combining them to form a scarf, which also didn't work out a planned. Right now, I have put these aside and wait for a brain flash :)

And as I was stuck with what to do with the circles, I figured may as well start something new - that's where these hexagon wheels come in

They will be turned into a cushion cover and hopefully I can show you the completed projects next week.

Have a great Sunday everyone

Re-cycle

Some of you may know that I tend to re-cycle previously scrapped photographs if I really don't like the look of the old layout anymore.

Last weekend I took two old layouts apart and had another go at them - watcha think?

Bacharach Babes

created in 2006

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: Chatterbox ** Chipboard: Magistical Memories ** Rub Ons: Making Memories

Bacharach Babes

 now

Cardstock: Bazzill *Papers: GCD Studios ** Stamp: Hero Arts ** Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Anita's acrylic paint, Pearls, Rhinestones, Embroidery Floss 

Family

created in 2006

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers, Rub Ons, Paperflowers: Fancy Pants

Photo Shoot

now

Papers: GCD Studios ** Tag, Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Anita's acrylic paint, Pearls, Rhinestones, Emboridery floss

On another note, I have finished another one of my{{Art Tags}} 

D = Distress

I love distressing my craft projects - whenever there is something missing or hasn't quite the "ooomph" factor, I end up tearing/sanding/colouring some elements to add a further point of interest. 

Tag: WHSmith ** Papers, Stickers: Sassafras Lass ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer, Embroidery Floss, Pearls, Staples, Uniball Signo Pen

And to round this post up, let me share another tag with you which I created for the recent {{Kenny K's Krafty Girlz}} challenge. This week the requirements is "all about R's"...so I figured the Roller {{Skate Chick}} and my papers and embellies based on the colour Red would qualify :)

Cardstock: Poundshop, Stampin' Up ** Tag: handcut ** Papers: GCD Studios ** Other:  Cosmic Shimmer, ProMarkers, Embroidery Floss

Twisted Sketches #89

Another week and another sketch over at {{Twisted Sketches}}. As per usual, if you want to work with us from the sketch, please go over {{here}} to see Anam's blueprint and the reveal of the rest of the DT.

The twist for this week is: Pins - one of my favourite items to work with!
I tried being a right clever dick this time around and used a safety pin (ha!) to attach my date tag and some beads from it. I made use of my {{February Kit}} for this layout.

** click on image to enlarge **
Papers: My Minds Eye, Rusty Pickle ** Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Decorative Tape: Retro Nana ** Mist: Cosmic Shimmer ** Other: Alphabeads, Masking Tape, Punchinella, Embroidery Floss

WIP - Sunday

I have enjoyed another crochet filled weekend (now there is a surprise...) but I also managed to squeeze in some time for crafting...oh yes.

But for this post let me show you what is my main priority to finish at the moment

During the last week I finished 12 squares with the Willow block pattern {{as seen HERE}}. On average one block takes about 50 minutes and I know this not because I am so sad that I time myself...no, no. My ferry travel to and from work takes about 55 minutes and I generally complete one square each way.

The yarn I am using is Patons FAB DK - 100g balls (approx 274m running length) in the following colours:

• Turquoise Blue 2315
• Glacier Blue 2301
• Airforce 2312

I am not quite sure what I am turning these block into - either a blanket or a long vest, I change my mind about that every other day.

Oh and I spoke about my armrest cover the other day - here is the finished product. I don't like it too much anymore, too wonky for my liking but for the moment it  will do :)

And before I forget, I am still due a winner for the {{Sketches to Scrapbook}} iPhone app:

Congratulations to VIRGINIA!!!! 

Wooohoooo.

EMAIL ME to claim your prize

Upsy Daisy Designs - DT January PT II

I adore the picture of my Nan, Auntie and my wee Mum 

(the one sitting down)

For this layout I had fun with some fussy cutting of the yummy scrummy {{Home Sweet Home}} papers from Upsy Daisy Designs.

** click on image to enlarge**

Papers: #HSH011. Alma, #HSH012. Beach ** Rub Ons: #UDD124. Classy Brown - Alpha (8x8), #UDD187. Man About Town ** Ribbons: #RIB403. Vogue Ribbon

A new couch

...yay, it finally arrived our new couch!!! We only waited like five weeks for the delivery (considering we ordered an "in-stock" item)....but it was so worth waiting for.

For 11 years we have been parking our bums on the most uncomfortable and ugly couch you could ever imagine, but at the time we had no choice. It was either sit on the floor or get the only couch in the shop, which would fit trough our front door. And Sod's Law meant that this was the ugliest and smallest couch on the planet.

During the last two years Ugly turned into nasty as well, starting to fall apart and we had to shove cardboard and extra cushions on the seating area, just so we wouldn't cut out behinds open with the springs that were poking through.

So, why didn't we get a new couch sooner? Trust me, we tried....saving all our money and once we had it all together some major repairs on the house threw a spanner in the works. But this year we finally got what we craved for so long and in all honesty, it was great that we waited so long because the style and colour fits like a glove.

** click on any of the images to enlarge their view **

And even more amazing is that the yarn I bought last year when I did not even know we would get a purple couch, well it matches! So my crochet blanket worked out perfect.

Wanna see?

Of course you do 

('scuse the slight blurr)

You know what? I think I have done a fantastic job with my first ever crochet project.

I know, I know one should be modest but darn it - I am so proud of my blanket, why shouldn't I show it off, hu?

I also finished a lace pattern armrest cover, but I haven't taken a picture of the full cover yet  - but here is one of the six circle/leaf bits that make up the cover

The pattern is taken from the book {{Simple Stylish Crochet}}, which I ADORE. There are a number of poncho's, cardigans and long vests that I cannot wait to crochet and the above pattern is actually supposed to be part of a stunning cardigan

I also finished yet another block from the {{200 Crochet Blocks}} book - let's see if I can make them all during this year.

Block 181 - Begonia

And here is my first Hexagon - thanks to the wonderful tutorial from {{Attic 24}} and the gorgeous yarns from {{Purple Linda Crafts}}. The colours make me happy - if only I didn't use such a high setting on the iron. As you can see the block is really flat and you can't see much texture...well, I rather screw up the first one than a whole blanket full of them

Oh and in crafty news...have you seen my wonderful new badge on the right hand side of the menu?

Yup, I am a Guest Designer in Februray for {{Kenny K Downloads}}...wooooohooooo  - how exciting!

Crochet Madness

Excuse the pun but I am officially and utterly HOOKed ...

I never thought that I would take to crocheting as much as I did, seeing that my first love always used to be knitting.

My buddy {{Trace}} actually started me off subconsciously, with her {{creative space}} and {{folksy friday}} postings. There were so many crochet projects to be seen that I thought "hey I can do that, surely!??!"

So, as you know, I bought myself the {{200 Crochet Blocks}} book from Amazon and started to teach myself how to crochet other than just creating a chain. It took some temper tantrums, hooks being thrown across the room in frustrations and outcries of "I give up" until I finally mastered the humble {{Granny Square}} and since then there was no stopping me.

Yesterday afternoon I took a shot of the blanket I have been working on, which is now completely finished with edging and all but I have to iron it first before I can share it in all its purple-ish beauty.

Until then, here is a snippet

** click on any images in this post to enlarge **

The square pattern are made up from two different blocks out of the above mentioned book, the Granny Square was taken from 

Block 7 - Granny In The Middle

 and the edging from 

Block 117 - Granny In The Middle. 

The aubergine edging on all squares was something I made up as I went along, just using treble stitches, and the final eggshell edging was also something I just crocheted-as-I-go.

From the left over yarn I started to fiddle about with different blocks from the above book - just to see if I can do all the intricate designs and here are the ones I did so far

Block 17 - Waterlilly

Block 189 - Willow

Block 209 - Marigold

Valentine's Crop

Phew, the last couple of days went by in such a flash - I can't believe it's the weekend again :)

Over the last couple of days I enjoyed playing along over at {{Noel Mignon's Valentines Crop}}. Even though I didn't manage to get everything done in the time frame, the DT came up with some awesome challenges and I for one am planning to create a few more projects over this weekend based on their inspiration.

On {{Tuesday}} I already shared one of the crop projects with you and here are now two more.

For Noel's sketch challenge I created this layout

** click on image to enlarge **

Papers, Stickers: Sassafras Lass ** Alpha Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Other: Embroidery Floss, Paint, Cosmic Shimmer, Bakers Twine

And the wonderful {{Kim Moreno}} came up with a quick and fabulous way to adorn gift bags with toppers. Here is mine

**click on image to enlarge **

Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs, Imaginisce ** Brad: Upsy Daisy Designs ** Stickers: Jenni Bowlin

Twisted Sketches #87

Woooohoooo, I am so excited to be back with {{Twisted Sketches}} - I missed working to sketches and I was over the moon when Anam invited me back to become a Twisted Sister :)))

So, today is my first reveal for Team A - you will need to go over {{here}} to see the recent sketch with twist and hopefully play along with us. And check out what the other sisters cooked up - divine!

Carrying on with my recent Sass ♥ I created this 8.5 x 11 layout 

**click on image to enlarge **

Paper: Sassafras Lass ** Stickers: Sassafras Lass, American Crafts, Making Memories ** Pearls: Quixotic Papiere ** Bling: Kaisercraft, Quixotic Papiere

Luv Ya

Can you feel the love already this month? I sure can and with all the fun challenges everywhere based on the theme of Valentine's day you cannot help feeling happy and giddy :)

So, I got stuck in straight away and created a wee tag, which will adorn a little gift for Mr P (he doesn't read my blog so I am safe to show you...).

I made use of the FREEbie for February from {{KennyK}} and enter the tag in the recent {{Kenny K's Krafty Girlz Challenge #31}}

** click on image to enlarge **

Tag: unknown ** Papers: October Afternoon ** Journaling Tag: Cosmo Cricket ** Digi Stamp: Kenny K ** Stickers: Jenni Bowlin ** Pens: ProMarkers ** Other: Twine, Chipboard Heart, Flowers, Bling

And then there is the Valentine's Crop over at my favourite forum of them all {{Noel Mignon}}. There are daily challenges and fun games - and of course prizes galore!

This set of Love Hearts was created last night (and when I say night I mean NIGHT) following the fantastic tutorial from {{Diana}}

** click on image to enlarge **

Papers, Brad: Upsy Daisy Designs

Tell me, are you feeling the love???

Upsy Daisy Designs - February 2011 - Pt I

In light of the fact that February is pretty much classed as the month of LOVE, the 

{{Upsy Daisy Designs}} DT were asked to create any kind of projects which focussed on the colour scheme of red and pink. It did not have to be a Valentines or love based project, as long as the colours pink and/or red were dominant.

For my first layout this month, I went a little wild with the paint and bling but I really like how it turned out.

** click on image to enlarge **

UDD Products used:

Papers: #AVA012 Extreme, #HSH012 Beach

Brads: #BRD311 Blossom

Rub Ons: #UDD186 It's A Girl Thing

Twisted Sketches #86

Today is reveal day for sketch #86 over at {{Twisted Sketches}}.

Whilst it is not "my week" (Team A will go live next Tuesday) this week, I thought I share my submission layout with you, seeing that I used my {{January Kit}} to create it and therefore achieved my goal of four layouts and one card with the Kit...woot woot

You can see the sketch and twist to go with this layout {{here}}

** click on image to enlarge **

Papers: My Minds Eye ** Tag:Bazzill (hand cut) ** Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket ** Stickers: Rusty Pickle ** Pens: Uniball Signo (white) ** Mist: Cosmic Shimmer

Create Your Own Kit - February 2011

For my second Kit this year I have chosen to go with some more earth tones, as I have really overlooked them over the past six months. I used to be a muted colour scrapper, but somehow I really got into using more bolder colours during 2010. It feels like it is time to get back to my trusted "staple"

** click on image to enlarge **

3 sheets of 12 x 12 cardstock from Bazzill

2 sheets of 12 x 12 double sided paper from My Minds Eye

1 sheet of double sided paper from Pink Paislee

1 sheet of double sided paper from Rusty Pickle
1 sheet of double sided paper from Sassafras Lass

Attempted Goal:

4 Layouts
Queen Of The Castle

2 Cards
Failed